Category: Spotlight

Illinois congressional race attracts Arab American vote

March 14, 2018March 14, 2018 rayhanania No Comments

Illinois congressional race attracts Arab American vote Contentious election to represent the 3rd Congressional District in Illinois has energized Arab American voters. But can it trigger an “Arab American Spring?” The race between 7-term congressman Dan Lipinski and newcomer Marie Newman pits traditional conservative Democrats against liberal Democrats in the March 20, 2018 primary election….

Activism, American Arabs, Arab News, Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, mainstream, Opinion, Politics, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

Pritzker, Brannigan and the “politics” of apologies

February 8, 2018August 7, 2022 rayhanania No Comments

Pritzker, Brannigan and the “politics” of apologies Some Arab American and Muslim activists have launched a vicious campaign against Palos Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan who expressed opinions critical of the “Middle Eastern” community that they claimed were racist. Brannigan apologized three times but they refused to accept her apology. However, J.B. Pritzker slammed Muslims as…

American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Election, mainstream, Opinion, Politics, Ray Hanania, religion, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

Fifth Wednesday Journal publishes essays from Middle East writers

January 9, 2018January 9, 2018 rayhanania No Comments

Fifth Wednesday Journal publishes essays from Middle East writers Fifth Wednesday Journal, a twice yearly publication, released its latest issue which focuses on the experiences and writings of authors whose origins trace to the Middle East and North Africa. The Journal features the submissions of 33 authors and photographers and is now available for purchase….

American Arabs, Arab World, Book Review, Features, Middle East, North Africa, Photographs, Spotlight

Interview with the filmmakers of “Holy Air”

November 30, 2017April 17, 2018 rayhanania 2 Comments

Interview with the filmmakers of “Holy Air” Holy Air is a satirically sad and humorous look at Christian life in Israel. Movie review of “Holy Air” by writer and producer Shady Srour and Director Ilan Moskovitch. Arabic, English and Hebrew. Also a Podcast Interview with Srour and Moskovitch about the challenges of making a film…

Arab World, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Commentary, Editors Picks, Entertainment, Israel, Middle East, Movies, Opinion, Palestine & Jordan, Podcast, Ray Hanania, Spotlight

The Battle for Jerusalem: The Struggle for Justice, Truth and Liberty

May 26, 2017September 25, 2018 USS_Liberty Info No Comments

“In Our Hands: The Battle for Jerusalem,” is a docudrama produced by the Christian Broadcasting Network/CBN which made over $1.6 million on its first day premiering in 733 cinemas. Gordon Robertson, the CEO of CBN said he hoped the movie would “point people toward God and start a conversation about Middle Eastern foreign policy.” “The…

Activism, Arab World, Arab World Politics, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Eileen Fleming, Entertainment, Israel, Journalism, Middle East, Movies, Opinion, Palestine & Jordan, Spotlight

We Americans on a Mission from God with a Message @POTUS Trump: How to MAGA

May 19, 2017September 25, 2018 USS_Liberty Info No Comments

Establish every June 8 to be known as USS Liberty Remembrance Day We Americans submit the following way for POTUS Trump to earn RESPECT as an American for LIBERTY By Eileen Fleming Ten years after beginning my mission from God in support of the USS LIBERTY a nationwide grass roots movement has rooted dedicated to…

Activism, American Arabs, Arab News, Arab World, Arab World Politics, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Eileen Fleming, Events, Israel, Journalism, mainstream, Middle East, News Media, Opinion, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, religion, Social Media, Spotlight, Terrorism, US Arab Politics, Video

Patriot Poets and USS LIBERTY Remembrance Day 2017

May 16, 2017September 25, 2018 USS_Liberty Info No Comments

A patriot used to be someone who loved their homeland but did NOT support their government blindly In the era of Trump patriotism has become Nationalism A nationalist blindly follows ‘the leader’ because he lacks his own ability to think and reason By Eileen Fleming The World needs American patriots who will act in the best…

Activism, American Arabs, Arab News, Arab World, Arab World Politics, Bloggers, Eileen Fleming, Events, Israel, Journalism, Middle East, Opinion, Politics, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

AAI Celebrates 19th Annual Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards banquet

May 3, 2017September 25, 2018 rayhanania No Comments

AAI Celebrates 19th Annual Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards banquet Hundreds of guests came out for the 2017 Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards Gala, hosted by the Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) on April 27th. The 19th annual Gibran Awards brought the Arab American community together to recognize individuals, corporations, organizations and communities whose…

American Arabs, News, Press Releases, Spotlight

Arab News & YouGov expose US ignorance of Middle East

May 1, 2017May 11, 2017 rayhanania 2 Comments

Arab News & YouGov expose US ignorance of Middle East A new poll by the Arab News and YouGov.com has exposed a major flaw in the understanding that Americans have of the Middle East. This is remarkable because in the past two years, more Americans have died because of the Middle East than in any other…

American Arabs, Arab News, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, Features, Israel, Middle East, News, Palestine & Jordan, Podcast, racism, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, US Arab Politics, Writers Promote

Loyalty Day Response to POTUS Trump Vis-à-vis USS LIBERTY

May 1, 2017September 25, 2018 USS_Liberty Info No Comments

U.S. Congress established Loyalty Day as an official holiday in 1958 with the signing of Public Law 85-529 President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Loyalty Day Proclamation Loyalty is the quality of being loyal to someone or something accompanied by a strong feeling of support or allegiance. By Eileen Fleming According to the U.S….

American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Israel, News, Spotlight

Democracy reinforced under Turkey’s Erdogan

April 18, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Democracy reinforced under Turkey’s Erdogan My column this week in the Arab News speaks to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, truly one of the few real Democratic leaders in the Middle East standing up to rising religious extremism from Muslims in the Arab World, Christians in the West and Jews in radical Israel. A referendum he…

Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Israel, Kurdish, Middle East, Opinion, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, Syria, Turkey, Writers Promote

Voters inundated in Orland Mayoral election battle

March 31, 2017June 12, 2019 rayhanania No Comments

Voters inundated in Orland Mayoral election battle The battle between Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin and challenger Keith Pekau has the attention of the entire state apparently creating a wild election contest filled with a lot of unusual issues, supporters and claims By Ray Hanania The battle to lead Orland Park, one of the fastest growing…

American Arabs, mainstream, News, Politics, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

Al Jazeera: Palestinians debate impact of Diaspora efforts

March 14, 2017March 15, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Al Jazeera: Palestinians debate impact of Diaspora efforts Veteran Arab American journalist Ali Younes explores the challenges facing the Palestinian Diaspora in his most recent feature on the recent gathering of Palestinian activists in Istanbul. Click here to read the Al Jazeera Feature. Ali Younes, an award winning professional journalist who has traveled throughout the Middle…

American Arabs, Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, Israel, Middle East, Palestine & Jordan, Spotlight, Turkey

AlDowayan exhibit continues through March 26, Miami

February 23, 2017February 23, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

AlDowayan exhibit continues through March 26, Miami Solo Exhibition “I Am Here: Manal AlDowayan” to open Feb. 17; on Display through March 26 Rojas + Rubensteen Projects, a contemporary art gallery and community hub in Little River, Miami, is pleased to present the exhibition “I Am Here” by world-acclaimed female artist Manal AlDowayan, hailing from Saudi…

American Arabs, Features, Gulf States, Middle East, Photographs, Press Releases, Spotlight

Chris Kennedy to run for Illinois Governor

February 8, 2017June 12, 2019 rayhanania 1 Comment

Chris Kennedy to run for Illinois Governor Christopher G. Kennedy, the son of the late U.S. Attorney Robert F. Kennedy and a long time Chicagoland businessman, announce this week he will run for governor of Illinois. Kennedy’s campaign is being advised by a Palestinian American political consultant, Hanah Jubeh. By Ray Hanania The Kennedy’s are…

American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, News, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

Trump not the first to battle media bias

January 24, 2017June 12, 2019 rayhanania No Comments

Trump not the first to battle media bias The news media has turned into a political party battling President Donald Trump. Journalists have hurled attacks against the president complaining about his income, nepotism, calling him a “Liar” and blaming him for racism and gender bias. Yet the news media is guilty on all counts, from outrageous…

mainstream, News Media, Politics, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, Television

Photos: Exhibit features women’s crafts in Gaza

January 17, 2017February 10, 2017 Mohammed Asad No Comments

Photos: Exhibit features women’s crafts in Gaza By Mohammed Asad Palestinians take part in a Heritage exhibition for handicrafts products in Gaza city, on January 17, 2017. This exhibition gives room for the ladies present their products to feed their families.

Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Features, Middle East, Mohammed Asad, News, Palestine & Jordan, Photographs, Spotlight

Levy named president of US/Middle East Project

September 19, 2016September 25, 2018 rayhanania No Comments

Levy named president of US/Middle East Project. Longtime American Jewish peace activist to head international peace group succeeding founder Henry Siegman. The group is based in London and New York and advocates for Palestinian-Israeli peace The appointment of Daniel Levy as President of the U.S./Middle East Project was announced by Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering, Chairman…