Chicago Archives

O’Hare Airport inspector threatens to dismantle Muslim prayer tent authorized in 2022

August 26, 2025August 26, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

O’Hare Airport inspector threatens to dismantle Muslim prayer tent authorized in 2022 A Prayer tent authorized in 2022 to accommodate prayers for Muslim Uber/Lyft drivers at O’Hare Airport is being threatened with removal. The tent is located at 10400 W. Johnson Road in Des Plaines in a side area of the vehicle staging lot that…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Culture, News, NewsWire, Ray Hanania, Spotlight

Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host Candidate Iftar March 13 in Bridgeview

March 11, 2025March 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host Candidate Iftar March 13 in Bridgeview The Arab American Chamber of Commerce of Chicagoland and the Palestine Club are hosting a “Candidate’s Iftar” on Thursday, March 13 beginning at 5:30 PM at Jerusalem Banquets, 8314 S. Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. The event is open to all candidates and to…

Activism, American Arabs, Business, Christian & Muslim, Election, News

Arab and Muslims to join conference countering Democratic Convention “silence” on Gaza genocide

August 16, 2024August 16, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab and Muslims to join conference countering Democratic Convention “silence” on Gaza genocide By Ray Hanania Chicago, IL — As thousands of delegates gather in Chicago next week for the Democratic National Convention to officially confirm a successor to President Joe Biden, Arab and Muslim community leaders will join African American and progressive activists in…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Election, Event, Events, Human Rights, Israel, News, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Ray Hanania

Largest global interfaith gathering coming to Chicago this week

August 9, 2023August 9, 2023 rayhanania No Comments

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,…

Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Event, Events, Human Rights, News, religion

Comedian Ahmed Ahmed performs in Chicago June 9-11, 2023 at The Comedy Bar

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023 rayhanania 1 Comment

Comedian Ahmed Ahmed performs in Chicago June 9-11, 2023 at The Comedy Bar Egyptian-American actor, comedian, producer, and director Ahmed Ahmed is IN CHICAGO this weekend for three-day comedy performance tonight through Sunday (June 9 -11, 2023). There are five shows you can check out, one tonight Friday June 9 and two Saturday (June 10)…

American Arabs, Culture, Entertainment, Features, Humor, News, Spotlight

Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot

April 15, 2022April 15, 2022 rayhanania No Comments

Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot Ald. Gilbert Villegas and other aldermen including Ald. Raymond Lopez, are hosting a public forum to allow Arab American business owners the chance to detail what happened to their businesses when they were forcibly closed last summer by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. The hearing…

American Arabs, Civil Rights, Culture, News, NewsWire, Politics, racism, Spotlight, The Arab Street, US Arab Politics

Champion of Arab American rights Ray Lopez announces for Mayor

April 11, 2022April 11, 2022 rayhanania No Comments

Champion of Arab American rights Ray Lopez announces for Mayor Ald. Raymond Lopez who fought to defend the rights of Arab American store owners and who has led the fight against Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s continued failures to reduce crime announced his candidacy for Mayor of Chicago on Wednesday April 6, 2022. Lopez is the only…

American Arabs, Business, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Culture, Election, Human Rights, immigrants, News, Politics, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, The Arab Street

Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month

March 31, 2022April 2, 2022 rayhanania No Comments

Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month More than 250 government leaders, elected officials and candidates for office attended a celebration of Arab American Heritage Month in Hickory Hills in suburban Chicago hosted by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce. The dinner was donated by three Chamber members and was free to the public featuring a…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Congress, Culture, Editors Picks, Entertainment, Event, immigrants, News, Photographs, Politics, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

Arab Radio: The Mideast and the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

March 3, 2022March 5, 2022 rayhanania No Comments

Arab Radio: The Mideast and the Russia-Ukraine Crisis Watch the Facebook stream of the radio show by clicking this link Join Dr. Atef Gawad in discussing ” The Mideast and the Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Where does it Stand” with his distinguished guests, on Friday, March 4th, 2022, from 8 to 9 a.m. (EST). Program will air…

American Arabs, Arab Radio, Arab World, Journalism, Middle East, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Politics, Radio Podcast, Ray Hanania, Spotlight

Arab community hosts fundraiser for Marie Newman Dec. 29, 2021

December 27, 2021December 27, 2021 rayhanania No Comments

Arab community hosts fundraiser for Marie Newman Dec. 29, 2021 A coalition of Arab and Muslim Americans will host a fundraiser for Democrat Congresswoman Marie Newman on Wednesday Dec. 29, 2021. Newman was elected to serve in the 3rd Congressional District but as the result of remapping will run for re-election int he new 6th…

American Arabs, Congress, Election, News, Politics, Spotlight

Racist targeting of Arab businesses by Lightfoot administration to be probed by City Council hearing

December 19, 2021December 19, 2021 rayhanania No Comments

Racist targeting of Arab businesses by Lightfoot administration to be probed by City Council hearing 36th Ward Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas proposed a City Council investigation into a Building Department Task Force accused of harassing Arab-owned small businesses targeted by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s racist crackdown to confront rising street gang violence. By Ray Hanania Chicago…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Culture, immigrants, News, Politics, racism, Spotlight, The Arab Street, US Arab Politics

A new high school model for the 21st century

November 4, 2021November 4, 2021 rayhanania No Comments

A new high school model for the 21st century Former Illinois State Superintendent of Education and former Deputy Undersecretary of Education in the United States Department of Education, Dr. Michael J Bakalis, presented the philosophy, structure, and unique opportunity of a new high school model to a group of interested parents and citizens on Thursday…

American Arabs, Culture, News

Arab Democratic Club to host Zoom candidate’s and leaders forum March 25

March 13, 2021March 13, 2021 rayhanania No Comments

Arab Democratic Club to host Zoom candidate’s and leaders forum March 25 The Arab Democratic Club will host its pre-election Forum for Democratic candidates running in the April 6 election and for elected public officials in a special celebration of Arab American Heritage month on Thursday March 25. The forum will again be held Virtually…

Activism, American Arabs, Election, Event, Events, mainstream, News, NewsWire, Politics, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

Arab Democrats host pre-election GOTV rally

October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 rayhanania 1 Comment

Arab Democrats host pre-election GOTV rally Arab Americans encouraged to be fully engaged in the November 3, 2020 General Election and to make their voices heard by the candidates, local government officials, and the news media. The 3 hour online Zoom Annual Rally for Candidates hosted by the Arab American Democratic Club and the American…

Activism, American Arabs, Civil Rights, Congress, Election, News, Podcast, Politics, Ray Hanania, US Arab Politics

Muslim Charity Distributes 30,000 Pounds of Meat/Hundreds of Backpacks & School Supplies

August 18, 2020August 18, 2020 rayhanania No Comments

Muslim Charity Distributes 30,000 Pounds of Meat/Hundreds of Backpacks & School Supplies ICNA Relief Chicago (icnarelief.org), the local chapter of the national nonprofit has, so far, distributed over 50,000 pounds of food, serving over 20,000 individuals in need within the Chicagoland area in 2020. On Thursday, August 20, 2020, the organization will distribute fresh meat…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Food, mainstream, News, Press Releases, Spotlight

Podcast: Ray Hanania looks at the challenges facing Arab Americans

July 21, 2020July 21, 2020 rayhanania No Comments

Podcast: Ray Hanania looks at the challenges facing Arab Americans The Problem with the Arab American Community: Award winning journalist and communicator Ray Hanania talks about how the Arab American community can overcome the self-imposed failings to become successful. Many Arab Americans live here physically but are “mentally” still back home Podcast, July 21, 2020, Volume III,…

American Arabs, Arab American History, Arab Radio, Bloggers, Commentary, Culture, Opinion, Palestine & Jordan, Podcast, Politics, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, The Arab Street, US Arab Politics

Profile: Hanania argues American Arabs need more networking and greater involvement in local society

April 10, 2020September 28, 2020 rayhanania No Comments

Profile: Hanania argues American Arabs need more networking and greater involvement in local society Freelance writer Thabet al-Arabi profiles Ray Hanania, an Op-Ed columnist, former Chicago City Hall political reporter, and radio talk show host. The profile explores Hanania’s life from wanting to study medicine to turning to journalism, communications and standup comedy to challenge…

American Arabs, Culture, Entertainment, Features, Guest Columnist, Journalism, mainstream, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

American Muslims for Palestine hosts conference Nov. 28-30, 2019

September 23, 2019 rayhanania No Comments

American Muslims for Palestine hosts conference Nov. 28-30, 2019 The American Muslims for Palestine will host their 12th annual convention from November 28 through Nov,. 30, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago. Speakers include: Zwelivelile Mandela South African MP, Grandson of Nelson Mandela Chief Dalibhunga was born in Soweto. He completed his tertiary education at…

Events, Features, Palestine & Jordan