Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
New book: The Road to Nablus The Road to Nablus is the extraordinary fictionalized true story of the author’s father, Abed Hadi, and his escape from a Palestinian refugee camp in the 1940s, chronicling his remarkable journey to his eventual home in St. Louis, Missouri. As a young boy Abed Hadi survived a massacre, a death…
UIC student goes to Morocco on State Department scholarship University of Illinois at Chicago sophomore Luana Davila of Joliet has been awarded a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship to study Arabic in Morocco this summer. Davila, who is a classics major and Arabic minor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and…
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Syria Direct Co-founder John DeBlasio Visits Team in Jordan This month, John DeBlasio, Executive Director of the GPD Charitable Trust, co-founder and longtime supporter of Syria Direct visited Syria Direct’s office, headquartered in Amman, Jordan. There, DeBlasio met with the Syrian editorial team and heard firsthand about Syria Direct’s recent work and upcoming projects. DeBlasio…
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Palestinian American Congressman Amash becomes first Republican to call for Trump’s impeachment By Ray Hanania Palestinian American Congressman Justin Amash on Friday became the first Republican to publicly call for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. The conservative Michigan congressman said he carefully read the report submitted by Special Justice Department Counsel Robert Mueller on…
Iraqi American Woman Wins IndieFEST International Film Awards Iraqi born filmmaker Weam Namou wins a prestigious Award of Excellence from the IndieFEST Film Awards (women filmmaker category) for her latest production with and Eric Hoffer, the award-winning author of 13 books. The award will be given for Weam Namou’s exciting feature documentary, The Great American…
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Students accuse DePaul professor of racist criticism DePaul Professor Jason Hill calls activists who criticize Israel’s apartheid and racist practices against Christians and Muslims in Israel and in the occupied territories “anti-Semitic.” Hill’s comments attacking BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanction) have come under scrutiny from those who support peace and justice and have been denounced By…
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Man who threatened AAI President Zogby convicted of hate crimes Defendant Convicted for Targeting of AAI President James Zogby and AAI Staff in Federal Hate Crime Trial. William Patrick Syring was convicted following a Federal Trial on 14 counts including seven Federal Hate Crime charges From May 3 to May 7, 2019, current and former employees…
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McCollum introduces civil rights legislation protecting Palestinian children under Israeli occupation Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) has introduced legislation— the Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, H.R. 2407 — amending a provision of the Foreign Assistance Act known as the “Leahy Law” to prohibit funding for the military detention of children in any…
US Arab Radio wishes everyone a Happy Ramadan Happy Ramadan: United In Faith And Humanity Ramadan is the month of mercy, love, tolerance, and peace, and US Arab Radio welcomes the holy month this year with an array of new programs under the title “We are all God’s Servants.” Founder and president of US Arab…
Shalala and other Congress members introduce Arab Heritage Month bill The Arab American Institute congratulated Congresswoman Donna Shalala and other members of Congress for introducing legislation to recognize April as Arab American Heritage month. Resolutions have been approved in two dozens states including a law passed in Illinois to recognize April as Arab American Heritage…
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Elected officials celebrate Arab Heritage Month, April More than 100 elected officials and Arab American community leaders came together on April 10 to celebrate the revival of Arab American Heritage month, April. The commemoration of Arab American contributions to this country and their culture was codified in a state law introduced by Illinois House Speaker…
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Danny Glover will present AAI Lifetime Achievement Award Famed actor, producer, humanitarian and lifelong activist Danny Glover will present the Award for Lifetime Achievement to former Mayor Gus Newport at the Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards Gala on May 2, 2019. Mr. Glover graced the silver screen in classic films including “Places in the Heart,” “The Color…
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Arab American group leads delegation to Tunisia The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) led a delegation of 10 Arab American elected officials and policy practitioners on an experiential learning trip to Tunisia between March 7 and 18th, 2019. The trip was part of the inaugural peer cohort of the U.S.- Tunisia Peer Exchange Program, supported…
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Americans Recognize and Celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month April 2019 During the month of April, Arab America (AA) formally recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and Arab Americans will engage in special events that…
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AADC Endorsements for April 2 election There are nearly a dozen Arab Americans running for elected office in Illinois for various positions including at local school boards and municipal offices. Here’s a selection of the top candidates from the Chicagoland suburbs with links to their contact information. The Arab American Democratic Club is proud to…
Muslim and Christian Arabs need to collaborate to strengthen their voices Arabs in America are weak in part because of their lack of unity and unification. Over the years, the community has divided into politics, national origins, religion and even tribal factions. Many of our community no longer refer to themselves as Arabs, and instead…
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ACCESS CEO announces leadership transitions Maha Freij promoted to Executive Director; Wisam Qasem Fakhoury promoted to Chief Financial Officer Dearborn, Mich. (March 25, 2019) – ACCESS’ CEO Hassan Jaber announced today that Maha Freij, previously the Deputy Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed to serve as Executive Director of the 48-year-old organization….
Cook County Board approves April Arab Heritage Month proclamation Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison introduces a proclamation honoring April as Arab American Heritage Month at the board meeting March 20, 2019, in coordination with the passage of a State of Illinois Law designating April as Arab American Heritage month. The Cook County Board on Wednesday,…
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