Author Archives: Arab America

It was 2008 and Moustafa Bayoumi hoped he was writing about an era in history that had passed – the discrimination that Arabs and Muslims faced on a daily basis in a post 9/11 America. After publishing stories of seven young Arabs from Brooklyn, N.Y., and traveling the country to talk about their experiences – … Continued

Has a Bill Cosby show equivalent finally arrived for Muslim Americans with the TLC network’s reality series, “All American Muslim?” The series, which premiered last Sunday, could be that first step of offering an alternative image to common stereotypes for American Muslims. It centers around five Shi’ite Muslim American families who all have roots in … Continued

Randa Jarrar’s debut novel, A Map of Home, tells the story of a young Arab-American girl, Nidali, her hilarious journey through childhood, and the many homes she inhabits during those years. Although A Map of Home treads familiar territory such as the hardships of the immigrant experience, Jarrar infuses Nidali with enough wit and humor … Continued

Dearborn, MI-based American Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) leaders Ahmad Chebbani and Fay Beydoun visited the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday, November 15th to participate in the “Tunisia Partnerships Forum.” The forum, hosted by the Department of State, discussed the wide range of public and private sector efforts promoting democracy and economic development in … Continued

Nobel Peace Prize winner and Yemeni human rights activist Tawakkul Karman called on the 1,000 University of Michigan students, faculty and Arab-Americans who packed into a University of Michigan auditorium Monday to support peacemaking efforts in her country. Amid applause and cheers from many Yemeni-Americans in the standing-room only crowd at Rackham Auditorium, Tawakkul Karman, … Continued

A day after the Arab League moved to expel Syria if it doesn’t halt a violent campaign against protesters, Syrian-Americans in the Chicago area welcomed the move, though some feared it may spark more violence. The 22-nation league set a Wednesday deadline for Syrian President Bashar Assad to implement a peace plan he had previously … Continued

Groups of Palestinian Freedom Riders will attempt to board segregated settler buses heading to Jerusalem through the occupied West Bank this Tuesday November 15, in an act of civil disobedience that takes its inspiration from the US Civil Rights Movement Freedom Riders aim to challenge Israel’s apartheid policies, the ban on Palestinians’ access to Jerusalem, … Continued

Authorities arrested an Arab-American leader but released him today after realizing he was not the man they were looking for, his attorney and the FBI said. Ali Hammoud, president of the Bint Jebail Cultural Center in Dearborn, was arrested at his Dearborn home Friday night, said attorney Majed Moughni. Police told Hammoud they were acting … Continued

The news that a reality show about Muslim families in America would be carried by TLC, the cable channel that has built its current reputation on Jon and Kate Gosselin, polygamy and “Toddlers & Tiaras,” couldn’t help giving you a little shudder. Had anyone thought this through? As it turns out, however, the only thing … Continued

Jordanian immigrants take Communion at an Arabic-language Mass in Albuquerque. Lebanese-Americans help raise nearly $2 million for major improvements to a West Virginia church. Iraqi refugees who practice an ancient religion that views John the Baptist as their teacher hold baptisms in a Massachusetts pond popular for rowing regattas. As war, the economy and persecution … Continued

Dearborn, Mich. (November 9, 2011) – Dr. Anan Ameri, the founding director of the Arab American National Museum (AANM) in Dearborn, will be honored with the Arab American Businesswoman of the Year Award from the Arab American Women’s Business Council (AAWBC) at a Dearborn breakfast Thursday, Nov. 10. The award recognizes Dr. Ameri for significant … Continued

Arab Americans have been an integral part of the United States of America since its inception, contributing to our society in myriad ways, including representing and defending American ideals through public service. Long the target of negative stereotypes, Arab Americans even found themselves dubbed “guilty by association” following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. … Continued