Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
Who will choose the next Lebanese President? By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz Since September of last year the Lebanese parliament has failed to elect a president for a country which has been bankrupt for four years. The Parliament has voted eleven times, but the results have been inconclusive. Banks are not able to return money to…
The term Arab will be meaningless if we don’t stand behind it and choose “MENA” instead By Ray Hanania Last month, members of the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation, House Bill 3768, which would include the term MENA (Middle East and North Africa) in the “Uniform Racial Classification Act” which requires state agencies to…
Ending Israel’s occupation might save its democracy By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz On it 75th birthday Israel is not doing well. To find lasting solutions, pro- democracy protestors must look beyond the safety of the judicial system. As an introduction, I mention a news story. While interviewing a senior figure in the Jewish Federations of North…
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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…
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Two parallel uprisings in Israel By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz Israel is currently shaken by two parallel revolts. In what seems to be the beginning of a third Intifada (meaning “awakening” in Arabic), the Palestinians are protesting against a new wave of Israeli colonialism: more land grabbing for new or larger Israeli settlements. The second revolt…
Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan By Ray Hanania Illinois Review, one of the conservative movement’s most respected online news sources, took Edward’s Realty President Ramzi Hassan to task for his support of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau But in the process, Illinois Review also revealed that Hassan, who is Palestinian American, donated…
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Israeli-push behind effort to ban Tiktok in the United States Social media has an enormous influence on Americans but only the social media that offends Israel is targeted for censorship and restrictions, reflecting their restrictive and repressive society. While Facebook and other Social media have come around to support Israel’s demands to crackdown on criticism…
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To what extent is Hezbollah responsible for the current crisis in Lebanon? By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz The Lebanese remain split over the issue of the armed presence of Hezbollah. Stuck in a stalemate, absent honest local dialogue, the situation of the country moves from bad to worse. What comes next? On January 13, the outgoing…
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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…
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This Thanksgiving, let’s use our Blessings for good By Nihad Awad Thanksgiving is a time that evokes many feelings and memories. For many of us, it is a reminder of the appalling crimes committed against Native Americans throughout our nation’s history – and that is indeed something that must not be forgotten. But Thanksgiving is…
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Why Palestinians are willing to embrace Netanyahu rather than fight for their rights When it comes to politics and fighting for their rights, Palestinians seem to loose their enthusiasm quickly and resort to the tragic normalcy of being victims and demanding 100 percent, rather than pursuing a strategic and continuing effort to fight for their…
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The Road Ahead for Jordanian Youth By Amjad Saqer al-Kremeen Young people in any nation represent the real opportunity for change in their societies and often aspire to make a difference for their communities and push their nation to compete in a fast moving and highly competitive world Jordan is a young country. Jordanian youth,…
Arab and Muslim voters should rally for State Rep. Cyril Nichols Nov. 8 State Rep. Cyril Nichols has hit the ground running to represent every community in the newly drawn 32nd Illinois House District, including supporting Arab and Muslim Americans. Nichols is a champion of civil and human rights and has made a commitment to…
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No one deserves Arab and Muslim American voter support more than Maria Pappas No one has done more for the Arab and Muslim American community, and all ethnic, religious and racial groups in Cook County than County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Unlike other candidates, she is in the community every year and all year round, and…
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“Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life By Ray Hanania As a Palestinian writer in America, my lifelong ambition is to write a TV series that portrays Arabs to Americans as being “no different” than other Americans. If I were to script that show someday, I would call it “Everybody…
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My life long love affair with stuffed grape leaves For Arabs, making food is part of family life, the bond that brings everyone together. It isn’t just about eating, but about memories of growing up in a beautiful family. One of my favorite and most popular Arab meals is stuffed grape leaves, which is diced…
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Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib panders to emotions but fails to achieve results Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib says she is a champion of human rights for Palestinians, but is she really effective or is she just pounding her chest and fueling the emotions of a community in America that is discriminated by racism, media bias and stereotyping? Tlaib…
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Empowering the youth is a key to bring positive and needed change in Jordan By Amjad Saqer al-Kremeen As it’s entering its second centennial Jordan is embarking on a social, political and economic changes that would usher its second century that will bring positive change and prosperity to its people. Change in Jordan is a…
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