Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
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…
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 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…
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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…
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…
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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…
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…
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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,…
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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….
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…
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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,…
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…
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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…
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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…
Hearing this week on bill to repeal Illinois’ discriminatory BDS bill Statement from State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid on the drive to repeal the discriminatory anti-BDS Bill in Pringfield: The Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act, HB 2723, is officially in committee, and the hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Our bill repeals Illinois’ 2015 anti-boycott law,…
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Chicago to dedicate street in honor of Arab American businessman Jamil “Jimmy” Ayesh Jamil “Jimmy” Ayesh owned a grocery store that helped all of the neighbors in the Back of the Yards community. In honor of his legacy, Chicago will install an honorary sign recognizing his humanity. The street sign placement will be dedicated on…
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Publisher discounts offered on “Arabs of Chicagoland” book Celebrate Arab American Heritage history month, April 2026, by learning about the history of Arab American settlement in Chicago. The book “Arabs of Chicagoland,” authored by award-winning Chicagoland journalist Ray Hanania, is available from the publisher at a special discounted rate The publishers of the book “Arabs…
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National Arab American Heritage Month Launches April 1, 2026—Arab America Foundation Unites Communities Nationwide April 2026 is National Arab American Heritage Month in the United States WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 1, 2026)— The Arab America Foundation (AAF) is leading the nationwide celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) this April, uniting communities across the United States…