Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
American Middle East organizations protest against granting Israel Visa Waiver approval Civil society organizations representing tens of thousands of Palestinian Americans, Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, and allied communities are expressing deep concern and outrage regarding the United States’ decision to admit Israel into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) despite Israel not fully meeting the…
Civil Society Organizations to the Israeli Supreme Court: Cancel the Racist Admissions Committees Law A petition by Adalah on behalf of nine organizations argues that a recent amendment to the law, aimed at ‘strengthening Jewish settlement,’ underscores its discriminatory purpose towards Palestinian citizens and will harm marginalized communities. 21 September 2023 Today, 21 September 2023,…
CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets…
AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) is pleased to announce its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Awards & Dinner Gala Awardees. The awards and recognitions will be presented at the Gala on Friday, October 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Fairlane Banquet, located at 700 Town…
Read More “AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees” »
Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims By Ray Hanania The terrorism of Sept. 11, 2001 was a horrific event that took the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans, mostly civilians who were not involved in any conflict, an act of horrific violence…
Palestinians mount hunger strike campaign against administrative detention As of Sunday August 13, 2023, 14 Palestinian political prisoners have joined an open-ended hunger strike in protest of their administrative detentions in Israeli military prisons. They are demanding their freedom, having suffered under indefinite imprisonment without charge or trial. This strike, which follows a long tradition…
Read More “Palestinians mount hunger strike campaign against administrative detention” »
Largest global interfaith gathering coming to Chicago this week Five days in Chicago next week could change the world when 8,000-10,000 people gather at McCormick Place, August 14-18, for the largest, worldwide gathering of global, faith-based, and social change leaders. “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights,” presented by the Chicago-based Parliament of the World’s Religions,…
Read More “Largest global interfaith gathering coming to Chicago this week” »
Michigan city’s all Muslim government an example for the rest of America By Ray Hanania On November 2, 2021, voters in a small but influential city in Michigan, Hamtramck, elected its first Muslim Mayor and an all Muslim City Council, making it the first American city ever to be governed by Muslims. For more than…
Read More “Michigan city’s all Muslim government an example for the rest of America” »
Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement condemning the Arab League’s decision to re-admit Syria, but Arab American leaders condemn Senators Menendez and Risch for failing to respect the…
Read More “Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League” »
County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrates Arab Heritage Month with business and community leaders Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will celebrate Arab American Heritage Month by recognizing more than 30 business, civic, political and religious leaders from the Chicagoland Arab community with Certificates of Excellence. Pappas will also unveil her office’s new Arab-language outreach video at…
Dingell, Tlaib Introduce Resolution Recognizing Eid al-Fitr Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) this week introduced a resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr, the observance of the conclusion of Ramadan, and offering best wishes and support to all Muslims for a joyous and meaningful celebration. “As the holy month of Ramadan comes to a close,…
Read More “Dingell, Tlaib Introduce Resolution Recognizing Eid al-Fitr” »
Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan Ramadan is an important month-long religious observance for Muslims who observe it by fasting, prayer, reflection, and community engagement. The 30 day period of fasting begins at sunrise and ends as sunset and observant Muslims eat only before sunrise for the “Suhoor” and after sunset for the “Iftar.” The evening Iftar…
Read More “Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan ” »
Low Arab early voting turnout in important Orland Park elections By Ray Hanania The election on Tuesday April 4 is very important to the Arab American & Muslim community. There are many candidates who support our community who need our support, and several who do not. If we don’t take the time to vote, we…
Read More “Low Arab early voting turnout in important Orland Park elections” »
Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues Columnist Ray Hanania argues that the term MENA to describe Arab Americans only dilutes the ability for Arabs to defend themselves against racism and that the term Arab should be used not only with the U.S. Census but in seeking equality in government contract awards. MENA…
Read More “Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues” »
Emgage hires former Illinois Congressional aide to help expand their reach Shadin Maali named new Emgage Senior Director of Growth and Operations Emgage is pleased to announce that Shadin Maali has been named Emgage’s new Senior Director of Growth and Operations. In her new role, Maali will oversee operations to ensure maximum efficiency and productivity…
Read More “Emgage hires former Illinois Congressional aide to help expand their reach” »
CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors following the completion…
Why allow religious extremists to re-define Islam in the West? By Ray Hanania Rashid-Al-Din Hamadani was a writer and a physician who rose to influence in the Mongolian Dynasties that ruled over Persia, serving as a Grand Visier to many of the Mongolian Khans. Born in Persia in 1247 of Jewish parents, Rashid-al-Din converted to…
Read More “Why allow religious extremists to re-define Islam in the West?” »
Nichols discusses need to improve Arab-Black relations in Chicagoland State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022 discussed his legislation to grant MBE status to Arab Americans and called on Arab Americans to build coalitions with the region’s African American community. Nichols was…
Read More “Nichols discusses need to improve Arab-Black relations in Chicagoland” »