Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
Visit Türkiye Without Leaving Chicago: The Turkish Festival Returns to Tinley Park This August Free entrance to a massive Grand Bazaar, live performances, authentic cuisine, and five round-trip flights to Istanbul headline the mid-summer cultural celebration. Experience the magic, energy, and unmatched hospitality of Türkiye right in the Chicago area. The highly anticipated Turkish Festival…
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…
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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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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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…
Celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month 2026 Join us for the Arab America Foundation’s Ninth Annual National Arab American Heritage Month Signature Event. Thursday, April 16, 2026 Belle Haven Country Club Alexandria, Virginia Early registration: $125 through March 19 Tickets increase to $150 after March 25 This elegant black-tie evening celebrates the theme: Many Voices, One…
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American Arab Chamber of Commerce hosts Iftar with regional officials and community leaders More than 250 people attended an Iftar that was co-hosted by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta on Thursday evening at the Bolingbrook Community Center. An Iftar is the evening meal served at sunset that signifies the end…
Ruzevich slams Casten’s support of Genocide in Palestine How do you know an incumbent is worried about losing the primary election? He introduces a bill that attempts to cover up his complicity in an ongoing genocide, his disregard for his constituency, and his desire to maintain the status quo in Congress. Statement from candidate Joseph…
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Islamic Scholarship Fund ISF Scholarship & Program Applications are Open! The ISF is excited to announce that applications are open now through March 21st for ISF’s upcoming 2026-2027 internships, fellowships, and scholarships. These programs are designed to provide mentorship, financial resources, and professional development opportunities for the next generation of leaders, and we are looking…
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American Arab Chamber of Commerce Illinois to host 2025 “Best of the Best” Awards Dec. 9 The American Arab Chamber of Commerce of Illinois will host its annual “Best of the Best” Awards night on Dec. 9, 2025, at the Orland Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Avenue, in Orland Park. Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge…
Adalah Petitions Supreme Court Against Suspension of MK Ofer Cassif for Speaking Out Against Israeli War Crimes and Genocide The Knesset’s Ethics Committee has suspended MK Cassif five times since December 2022, for a total of ten months; Adalah argued that these illegal suspections strip him of his ability to perform his parliamentary duties. On…
Arab America Foundation to host “Connect Empowerment Summit” in New Jersey The Arab American Foundation, launched in 2019 to educate Americans about the Arab identity and empower and connect Arab Americans, will host the “Connect Empowerment Summit” on Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25, at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe in Teaneck, New Jersey….
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