Category: American Arabs

Maria Pappas shares immigrant roots, personal tragedies and lessons of faith at Arab American community book signing

October 12, 2026October 12, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Maria Pappas shares immigrant roots, personal tragedies and lessons of faith at Arab American community book signing Cook County official Maria Pappas shares emotional stories of her Greek-American upbringing, struggles, and public service during a Bridgeview gathering and book signing at the Palestine Center hosted by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce celebrating her new…

American Arabs, Book Review, Culture, Event, Events, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Ray Hanania

American Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host book signing for Maria Pappas

September 26, 2026September 26, 2026 News Editor News Editor No Comments

American Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host book signing for Maria Pappas The American Arab Chamber of Commerce and the Palestinian American Club will host a book signing event on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in Bridgeview for Maria Pappas, the Cook County Official who has done more to help Arabs and Muslims than any other…

American Arabs, Book Review, Christian & Muslim, Culture, Event, Events, News, NewsWire, religion, Spotlight

American Arab journalist faces imprisonment in Jordan for allegedly sharing Twitter post critical of the Arab country

August 30, 2026August 31, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

American Arab journalist faces imprisonment in Jordan for allegedly sharing Twitter post critical of the Arab country An American Arab journalist, Ali Younes, has been charged for retweeting a post critical of the Jordanian government. He has been detained in Jordan and faces an upcoming court hearing. In an interview, Younes said he retweeted the…

American Arabs, crime, Journalism, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Ray Hanania, Spotlight

Supporters rally for region’s only radio show on national politics, and Arab and Muslim issues

August 2, 2026August 9, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Supporters rally for region’s only radio show on national politics, and Arab and Muslim issues More than 100 supporters attended the annual fundraiser celebrating the third anniversary of The Lightning Strike Radio Show, the only program that addresses both domestic national politics and Arab and Muslim issues in the Midwest. The fundraiser dinner was held…

Activism, American Arabs, Arab Radio, Christian & Muslim, News, NewsWire, Photographs, Radio Podcast, Spotlight

Peace activist and ecumenical Christian leader condemns Israel’s human rights violations

July 4, 2026July 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Peace activist and ecumenical Christian leader condemns Israel’s human rights violations “While America Celebrates Freedom, I Was Denied Entry to My Homeland Palestine and the Promise of Liberty,” Sir Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS, HCEF founder says in newsletter statement. Click here to read more. Israel consistently violates Visa Waiver Program agreement it made with United…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Human Rights, Israel, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, racism, Spotlight

Aber Kawas Wins SD-12 Primary, on Track to Become First Palestinian, First Muslim Woman Elected in New York State

June 25, 2026June 25, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Aber Kawas Wins SD-12 Primary, on Track to Become First Palestinian, First Muslim Woman Elected in New York State On Tuesday, Aber Kawas won the Democratic primary and became the Democratic nominee for State Senate for SD-12 in Queens, bringing her one step closer to becoming the first Palestinian and first Muslim woman elected to…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Election, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Women's rights

American Arab Chamber rallies community for Orland Mayor Jim Dodge

June 17, 2026June 17, 2026 Press Release Press Release No Comments

American Arab Chamber rallies community for Orland Mayor Jim Dodge Orland Park, IL – The American Arab Chamber of Commerce hosted a rally and fundraiser on Tuesday June 16, 2026 for Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge and his board team. The event was held at Al Bahaar Restaurant, 39 Orland Square Drive in the Orland…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Culture, Human Rights, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Press Releases, US Arab Politics

American Arab Chamber of Commerce of Illinois host fundraiser for Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge

June 16, 2026June 16, 2026 News Editor News Editor No Comments

American Arab Chamber of Commerce of Illinois host fundraiser for Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge The American Arab Chamber of Commerce will host a fundraiser on Tuesday June 16, 2026 to support Jim Dodge, who was elected the mayor of Orland Park in the election on April 1, 2025, expelling disgraced Mayor Keith Pekau who…

American Arabs, Business, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Culture, Event, Events, Human Rights, immigrants, News, NewsWire, Politics, racism, US Arab Politics

Arab Americans participate in Orland Park Memorial Day Commemoration May 25, 2026

May 26, 2026May 26, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab Americans participate in Orland Park Memorial Day Commemoration May 25, 2026 By Ray Hanania Leaders of the Arab American community joined in the celebration of Memorial Day in Orland Park on Monday, May 25, 2026, led by Mayor Jim Dodge and including former Consolidated School District 230 Board member and current member of the…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, News, NewsWire, Ray Hanania, war

Arab community thanks Aviation Officials for permanent O’Hare prayer center for hired drivers

May 23, 2026May 23, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab community thanks Aviation Officials for permanent O’Hare prayer center for hired drivers By Ray Hanania Chicago’s Aviation Department has erected a permanent structure for Limo, Uber Black and Lyft drivers as a safe place to address personal and religious needs while they wait for customers. The new permanent structure replaces a modified Tent that…

Activism, American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Human Rights, Islamophobia, News, NewsWire, racism, Ray Hanania

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) welcomes two new board members

May 16, 2026May 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) welcomes two new board members Board Additions Bring Decades of Legal Excellence and Deep-Rooted Commitment to Arab American Civil Rights The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) today announces the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Johnny Simon, a nationally recognized trial attorney, and Cheryl Faris, a veteran civil rights…

American Arabs, Civil Rights, Culture, Human Rights, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, racism, The Arab Street, US Arab Politics

New expo in New Jersey to focus on Arab and Middle Eastern foods

May 13, 2026May 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

New expo in New Jersey to focus on Arab and Middle Eastern foods A new food expo to be held in New Jersey June 22 – 24, 2026, will, for the first time, put the focus on Arab and Middle East foods, and features Greek, Iranian, Indian, Turkish foods, making it easier for North American,…

American Arabs, Business, Culture, Event, Events, Food, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, recipe, Spotlight

Federal Indictment Charges filed against Suburban Chicago Businessman with orchestrating $4 Million fraud schemes

May 8, 2026May 8, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Federal Indictment Charges filed against Suburban Chicago Businessman with orchestrating $4 Million fraud schemes A suburban Chicago businessman from Indiana who operated a business in Orland Park, Illinois, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a pair of fraud schemes that netted him more than $4 million. An indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S….

American Arabs, crime, News, NewsWire, US Attorney Northern Illinois

AHRC: Mental Health Month Renews Calls for Bold, System‑Wide Action on Mental Health:

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

AHRC: Mental Health Month Renews Calls for Bold, System‑Wide Action on Mental Health: The American Human Rights Council (AHRC) joins the nation in recognizing May as Mental Health Month, which has been observed annually since 1949. This month honors the millions of people living with mental health conditions—circumstances no one chooses, yet many still endure…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Culture, Health, Human Rights, immigrants, Michigan, News, NewsWire, Spotlight

AG Nessel Charges Fay Beydoun with 16 Felonies for Stealing Global Link International Grant Funding

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

AG Nessel Charges Fay Beydoun with 16 Felonies for Stealing Global Link International Grant Funding On May 6, 2026, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced 16 felony charges against Fay Beydoun, 62, of Farmington Hills, for the alleged theft of funds and fraudulent administration of a $20 million state legislative grant awarded to Global Link International,…

American Arabs, crime, Michigan, News, NewsWire

Orland Park Police Charge Son in Father’s Homicide

May 4, 2026May 4, 2026 News Editor News Editor No Comments

Orland Park Police Charge Son in Father’s Homicide On April 29, 2026, at approximately 6:31 p.m., Orland Park Police Officers responded to 14117 Concord Drive for an assist-ambulance call. Officers spoke with the 911 caller, who reported that a male subject was deceased inside the residence. Upon arrival, officers located Samir Kassem, 77, who was…

American Arabs, crime, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan

24 members of Congress demand US probes of American Arabs killed by Israel

April 30, 2026May 14, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

24 members of Congress demand US probes of American Arabs killed by Israel By Ray Hanania As the one-year anniversary of the killing of an American Arab Khamis Ayyad by Israeli settlers approaches, 24 members of the U.S. Congress expressed frustration in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Acting U.S. Attorney…

Activism, American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Congress, crime, Human Rights, Israel, Middle East, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Ray Hanania

Cook County Treasurer Pappas Honors Arab American Leaders during Heritage Month Celebration

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Pappas Honors Arab American Leaders during Heritage Month Celebration Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrated Arab American Heritage Month by recognizing more than two dozen distinguished business, civic, political and religious leaders from across Chicagoland at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 29th. The event took place today, Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 2…

Activism, American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Culture, Event, Events, Food, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Press Releases