Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
American Arab journalist faces imprisonment in Jordan for allegedly sharing Twitter post critical of the Arab country An American Arab journalist, Ali Younes, has been charged for retweeting a post critical of the Jordanian government. He has been detained in Jordan and faces an upcoming court hearing. In an interview, Younes said he retweeted the…
International Rights Groups Raise Alarm Over Freedom of Religion and Expression in South Korea SEOUL, South Korea, 7 August 2026 — Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), together with CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), which has accredited ECOSOC status at the United Nations, FOREF, CESNUR and Bitter Winter, held a press conference today at the…
International Human Rights experts call for religious freedom and due process in South Korea By Ray Hanania The prestigious organization Human Rights Without Frontiers joined several human rights scholars and organizations detailed during a webinar on Thursday, August 7, 2026, from Seoul, South Korea, the challenges that are being faced by religious activists and the…
Arab Center Washington DC spotlights analysis of the challenges facing Libya’s government Libya’s Heatwave Exposes a Crisis of Governance By Virginie Collombier President and Co-founder, Mediterranean Platform In July 2026, a major heatwave swept the western Mediterranean, causing extreme temperatures and fueling wildfires in France, Italy, Spain, and North Africa. Libya was not spared. As is often…
Supporters rally for region’s only radio show on national politics, and Arab and Muslim issues More than 100 supporters attended the annual fundraiser celebrating the third anniversary of The Lightning Strike Radio Show, the only program that addresses both domestic national politics and Arab and Muslim issues in the Midwest. The fundraiser dinner was held…
Analysis by Arab Center Washington DC: Iran’s Nuclear Leverage Survives the War By Sina Azodi When President Donald Trump, in close partnership with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attacked Iran on February 28, 2026, he anticipated the total capitulation of the Islamic Republic. Although the opening phase of the campaign inflicted significant damage on Iran’s military and nuclear…
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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…
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…
Arab Center analyzes prospects for an effective Arab Joint List in Israeli elections Arab Center of Washington D.C. Executive Director Khalil Jahshan has authored an analysis of the prospects for an effective Arab Joint List in the upcoming Israeli elections. Jahshan writes that the three Palestinian Arab Parties in Israel announced that they would run…
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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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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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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…
Arab Center Washington D.C. hosts conference on Trump upending democracy and diplomacy April 9, 2026 Chicago, IL — The Arab Center of Washington D.C. has a power-packed program to address the dramatic international foreign policy changes and policies being pursued by President Donald Trump. Trump was inaugurated to his second term in January 2025, succeeding…
CAIR-Chicago Stands with Mayor Brandon Johnson in Affirming Equal Protection Against All Hate Crimes (CHICAGO, IL, 3/27/2026) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Chicago office (CAIR-Chicago), today expressed its strong support for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s position that all hate crimes must be addressed with equal urgency and seriousness, amid ongoing public debate following the resignation of…
Ruzevich race for Congress showcases challenges facing pro-Arab candidates By Ray Hanania One of the few races that many people in the Arab American community were very hopeful about was the challenge to unresponsive Congressman Sean Casten in the 6th Congressional District by Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich, political consultant and deputy campaign manager Sawsan Abubaker said…
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Ray Hanania joins Marc Sims podcast on censorship, Bad Bunny and racism Marc Sims talks with journalist Ray Hanania about censorship and fear. Ray Hanania is an American journalist of Palestinian descent. Hanania talks with Sims about social media censorship against critics of Israel’s government, such as AIPAC Tracker, and the growth of racism reflected…
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