Author Archives: Arab America

WASHINGTON (JTA) – Ten organizations, most of them Jewish, are cooperating on an effort to prevent federal funding for anti-American and anti-Israel activity on college campuses. The coalition wants Congress to reform the Higher Education Act, or HEA, which includes the allocation of federal funds to 129 international studies and foreign language centers at universities … Continued

The seven-million strong Muslim American community remain under pressure, 13 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Alarmingly, mainstream American opinion of Muslims is getting worse. According to the July survey of Arab American Institute (AAI) there has been a continued erosion in the favorable ratings Americans have of both Arabs and Muslims. For example, in … Continued

The sands and smells of the Middle East are drifting to Rocky Top. Starting at 3 p.m. Friday, Professors Robert and Erin Darby, directors of UT’s Dig Jordan study abroad program, will head “Engaging Arabia,” a weekend-long series of lectures, presentations and cultural events based off the Arabian culture. The Arab Cultural Fair will take … Continued

<iframe width=”480″ height=”360″ src=”https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1776612453/sexual-assault-in-the-muslim-community-documentary/widget/video.html” frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”> </iframe> After years of crushing silence, four Muslim-American women are opening up about the sexual abuse they’ve suffered at the hands of someone they trusted. The women are featured in filmmaker Nadya Ali’s upcoming documentary “Breaking Silence,” talking for the first time on camera about the painful childhood experiences … Continued

The U.S. National Security Agency shared unredacted private communications from Americans – particularly Arab-Americans – with a key Israeli military-intelligence unit, an author and professor wrote. In a New York Times op-ed piece, James Bamford said that he’d met this summer with Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who leaked thousands of classified documents. Snowden … Continued

In a highly globalized world, in which country borders are increasingly permeable and the migration and movement of peoples is becoming the norm, language and cultural competencies are ever more essential. However, less than 10% of Americans speak a language other than English, but 75% of the world’s population does not know English. This easily … Continued

The non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and teaching Arab culture through arts and language, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, proudly presents Mohsen Namjoo in concert with the Al-Bustan Tahkt Ensemble. Namjoo and the Ensemble will present “Classical and Contemporary Persian Music” for those in attendance. Mohsen Namjoo is an Iranian artist, songwriter, singer, music scholar and … Continued

Mohamad Sami, a Palestinian truck driver, was eager to offer a tour of the landmarks from this summer’s violence in his neighborhood, Issawiya. Down the road from the Israeli-owned gas station that was looted by masked youths who broke a pump and smashed windows earlier this month were seven concrete squares that the police used … Continued

Crowned in a glittering ceremony this past week, the newest Miss Arab USA is described as having the best of both worlds. Born in Canada, raised in the UAE and having moved to the United States at the age of 16, Lebanese Guinwa Zeineddine won over judges with her firebrand blend of humanitarian work, beauty … Continued

Three youngsters ages 12 and 13 have been arrested after the Hudson Valley Islamic Community Center was found vandalized Wednesday and pages torn out of a Quran. Police Lt. Kevin Soravilla said that in two classrooms, furniture and other items were thrown around, a computer monitor had shoeprints on it, and books were thrown on … Continued

A walking tour of Warren Avenue offers the community a chance to explore the Arab community, as well as get a taste for some of the flavorful foods of the culture. Offered by the Arab Merican National Museum, the Yalla Eat! Culinary Walking Tour is an immersive cultural activity that takes the museum experience into … Continued

Forty-three veterans of one of Israel’s most secretive military intelligence units – many of them still active reservists – have signed a public letter refusing to serve in operations involving the occupied Palestinian territories because of the widespread surveillance of innocent residents. The signatories include officers, former instructors and senior NCOs from the country’s equivalent … Continued