Author Archives: Arab America

For several weeks now, Arab and international media have barely been able to stay on top of their reports on all the brutal acts committed by the terrorist group Islamic State (IS), which propagates a culture that here and there lies dormant in the structures of our societies and our upbringing. But the very same … Continued

A student with a visual disability has been selected to exhibit her work at an international event in the United Kingdom. Zahra Al-Dhamen, a Saudi media student at King Saud University, said the British Council has offered her an opportunity to join other artists with disabilities to participate in the “Fragile Light and Vision” exhibition … Continued

On 23 August, a young couple from Michigan landed at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport on their way to the West Bank city of Nablus, ready to spend a year studying Arabic abroad. But instead of admitting them and sending them on their way, immigration authorities questioned David Leestma and Emily Clark for hours, denied them … Continued

As college students go back to class across the US, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is urging a renewed crackdown on Palestine solidarity activism on campus – and at least one California university leader appears to be receptive. University of California, Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi’s office shared an email (full text below) from Seth Brysk, Central … Continued

Coming from a background that honors tradition and conservatism, many Western men are under the assumption that Arab women would prefer to engage in relationships with men of their own culture. The premium international dating site for Arab women looking to date gentlemen from Western cultures, ArabianDate.com, hopes to shed some light on the reality … Continued

A young Muslim woman applies for a position at a beauty supply store without wearing her hijab. Once she’s hired, she starts her first day of work with the headscarf covering her hair. “Take the hijab off or go home,” the woman’s supervisor says, in front customers and coworkers. After explaining her religious beliefs and … Continued

Since its UN status was upgraded to non-member observer status in November 2012, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has repeatedly threatened to join the International Criminal Court. It is bad enough that this has not yet happened despite the greater urgency caused by Israel’s recent Gaza onslaught. However, the PA is now reportedly preventing the launch … Continued

The Palestinian economy is expected to contract for the first time in seven years in 2014, the result of the recent Gaza war, continued Israeli and Egyptian restrictions on Palestinian trade and a drop in foreign aid, the World Bank said Tuesday. The bank issued the report ahead of a meeting next week of donor … Continued

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Sunday that “several” Arab nations had offered to join in airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, but any sustained military campaign does not appear imminent, and is likely to require an even more significant commitment from other nations and fighting forces in the region. In interviews … Continued

The Senator’s remarks about Israel set off the confrontation <iframe width=”518″ height=”291″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/YOOZ6aPooSk” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe> While the nation watched President Obama primetime address the threat of ISIS Wednesday night, something else was happening in Washington: Senator Ted Cruz was getting booed off the stage of a Christian event. Cruz is often considered a rising darling … Continued

The recent conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has motivated some Eastern Michigan University scholars to start a local student chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Fatma Jaber, an EMU senior studying education, said SJP is a national organization that was introduced to campus this fall. “The goal of Students for Justice in Palestine at … Continued

I remember when my wife and I began worshiping with the Maronites in Brooklyn back in 1999. It struck me one day that these people’s ancestors in Lebanon were worshiping Jesus Christ when my ancestors back in northern Europe were still praying to trees. It was shocking, and embarrassing, to discover how little I knew … Continued