Arab AmericanHistorian
Prairie peddlers Syrian Lebanese in North Dakota
Helen Thomas Ends 5 Decades of Distinguished Journalist Career Richard Corey wins fame in bullfighting The Statue of Liberty: from Egypt to New York History Conference to be held in New York
Just Published The reference book you are waiting for
Letter from the Editor
We are pleased to introduce the new electronic format of the Arab American Historian. We are planning to add history, photos and detailed facts about the Arab American History. To facilitate our efforts, we are urging members of the Arab American community to email historical photos, family and organization history, including video clips on a variety of Arab American events to: arabamericanhistorian@yahoo.com We are also proud to present the Arab American Almanac, Sixth Edition. It is the most comprehensive reference book about Americans of Arab descent. The reader will find factual and diversified information about the energetic life of Arab Americans and their achievements and contributions. The News Circle Publishing House has always strived to document, preserve and disseminate the fascinating past and vigorous present of the Arab American community in the United States of America. In order for this culture to survive and flourish, it must catalogue its history and keep the communication lines open and continuously expand to encompass the living and flourishing community within the American society. Due to an acute shortage of reliable reference data covering over 3.5 million Arab Americans, this Almanac broadens the reach and availability of pertinent information to assist educators, scholars, researchers, policy makers, libraries, press/media and the public. Through this Almanac, Arab Americans present their credentials and contributions to America, while preserving and perpetuating the legacy of their historical heritage and cultural identity. Active participation in our cultural, political, economic, and social life will raise our community profile and create the positive visibility it deserves. The News Circle Publishing House, founded in Los Angeles in 1972, publishes the Arab American Affairs magazine, covering Arab American news, views, culture, and history, and averages 84 pages. Joseph Haiek
Arab American Historian Newsletter A quarterly electronic newsletter published by the Arab American Historical Foundation Dedicated to preservation and dissemination of Arab American history. Summer 2010
Joseph R. Haiek, Editor-Founder
Editorial and research team: Bill Loughlin, Robert Thabit, Esq., Alondra Hernandez Caterina Haiek, Wlliam Hannosh, Esq., Christina Smith,PhD. Articles, essays, scholarly papers, book review copies and photos related to Arab American history are welcome. ARAB AMERICAN HISTORICAL FOUNDATION P.O.Box 291159, Los Angeles, CA 90029, U.S.A.
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(818) 507-0333, (213) 283-9885 www.arabamericanhistory.org arabamericanhistorian@yahoo.com
ARAB AMERICAN HISTORIAN
Summer 2010
Arab American National Calendar
E-mail your upcoming Arab American national calendar to: arabamericanhistorian@yahoo.com
June 20- Birzeit Society, Father's Day Picnic, Irvine Regional Park, Orange, CA. Contact: (714) 390-3007, (626) 331-0491
June 22 - The 7th Arab Museum Gala with a first time US performance by the Enana Dance Theater. Max M. Fisher Music Center , Detroit , MI . For tickets, contact: (313) 842-4748, For more information, contact: (313) 624-0204, (313) 624-0205.
June 30- July 4th - 46th Annual Melkite Convention, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Seattle, WA. Contact: www.stjosephofSeattle.org July 7-11- Maronite 47th Convention, hosted by St. Elias Maronite Church, at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, Birmingham, Alabama. Contact: (914) 964-3070, nam@namnews.org
Sept. 2 - First Annual Inaugural Alumni Reunion and the 30th Anniversray of the Antiochian House of Studies. Keynote speaker: Metropolitan PHILIP, Archbishop of New York and all North America. Contact: (724) 238-3677
Sept. 24 to 26- Arab American Festival, Orange County, CA., sponsored by the Arab American Council. Contact Ahmad Alam: (714) 758-3507, (714)936-9161, www.aafestival.com
October 9 to 10 - The Lebanese American Foundation and the House of Lebanon Artist' Group present Beyond Borders Art Exhibit, featuring fine artwork of Lebanese Americans, Arab Americans and American artists, at the city Council Art Gallery, Long Beach, CA. Contact: editor@HouseofLebanon.com October - Arab American Historical Foundation's 5th Arab American History Conference, New York City, NY, More details later. Contact: (818) 507-0333 (213) 283-9885 e-mail: arabamericanhistorian@yahoo.com www.arbamericanhistory.org
Nov. - ALO Foundation annual banquet, more details to come, ALO Hayati magazine.
Prairie Peddlers: The Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota America, the pathways to the Dakotas and the settlement patterns. Included are the successes and failures, the discrimination and acceptance. The book focuses on the time period of 1900 to 1950. No attempt was made to edit out the “unpleasant and the ugly.” The last section, the appendices, contains information which may be of use to those who wish to take a more detailed look at “the way it was.” There’s a list of every North Dakota resident of Arab background found in the U.S. Census (until 1920). So also, there’s a record of every person of similar origins who homesteaded or took
out citizenship papers, along with locations and dates. This compilation of data will stand as a permanent source of information for students in any of the social sciences. It certainly will be of great value for those who seek genealogical information. The authors: William Sherman, Paul Whitney and John Guerrero have studied and published material concerning North Dakota historical and social subjects for two decades. William Sherman is a professor emeritus of Sociology at North Dakota State University.
By William Sherman, Paul Whitney and John Guerrero, 404 pages, hardcover, photos and tables. Published in 2002 by the University of Mary Press, Bismarck, North Dakota
Prairie Peddlers - The Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota is a large book that deals with what at first sight should be a small number of people. Yet its pages contain the names of almost 2,000 individuals who were a part of every decade of North Dakota history. In its pages the reader will find a surprising panorama of men, women and children: homesteaders, peddlers and business people. Twelve years in the making, this book is one-of-a-kind. In detail it portrays an unusual group: people of Arabic background, Muslim and Christian, who settled on the Northern Plains. It’s an array of information, but also a series of assessments. The book was written for two specific purposes. The first was to preserve for future generations information which might either be lost or overlooked. The materials gathered are thus presented in a single volume for one and all to peruse. Second, it’s an attempt to understand life as it was lived by people with a distinctive, non-European background who were truly pioneers on the primitive prairie. The authors do this by exposing the reader to as complete a collection of the sources as possible: many of which are first-generation reminiscences. The reader will find in these pages the reasons for the movement to
The Freij Family, North Dakota Summer 2010 ARAB
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COVER STORY
THE ARAB AMERICAN ALMANAC, 6TH EDITION THE REFERENCE BOOK YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR
LOS ANGELES - The Arab American Almanac, 6th edition, 608page comprehensive reference book about Arab Americans just published by The News Circle Publishing House. It is sponsored by the Arab American Historical Foundation, announced Joseph R. Haiek, publisher. The Almanac includes twelve chapters: Arab American history, Arab contributions to world civilization, the Kahlil Gibran literary group, about 85 organizations, religious institutions, and over 55 publications, TV and radio programs; Who’s Who among Arab Americans, profiles of the Arab world and the U.S.A., Arab American achievements and contributions, Arabic language, bibliography, addresses, websites and over 550 photos. There are about 3.5 million Arab Americans residing in major American cities among them are thousands of Arab American scholars teaching in major American universities, scientists and businessmen. This is just part of the reference data found in the Arab American Almanac, 6th Edition. It does not include any advertising. The first edition of the Arab American Almanac series was published in Los Angeles in 1974 by Joseph R. Haiek, publisher of The News Circle Publishing House, publishers of the Arab American Affairs magazine, Arab American Historian electronic newsletter and other reference books. The purpose of this reference book, is to broaden the reach and availability of pertinent, accurate and practical reference sources about Arab Americans, while acknowledging their heritage and perpetuating their culture, history and society,” Haiek said. In his Almanac foreword, Prof. Farouk El-Baz, wrote: “The Arab American Almanac has become an indispensable source of information about citizens of the United States who hailed from Arab lands. These immigrants varied greatly in age, background, education level, and religion. They belong to every conceivable profession, rich to poor, with little education to Ph.D. holders, and from sophisticated city dwellers to farm boys. They constitute a group of people as varied as the U.S. population itself. Because of their diversity, they have significantly contributed to the nation in every field of endeavor. If one is to generalize, these immigrants came mostly in three waves. The earliest were those who arrived in the last quarter of the 19th Century. These were mostly Lebanese and Syrian Christians; many were merchants. The second wave came in the middle of the 20th Century, mostly to escape the heavy hand of military rule in their countries of origin. The latest wave is the contemporary immigrants who escape from the crushing economic conditions to seek hope for a better future. Arabs who come to America easily dissolve in the society. They do not come here to establish a distinct block, but they much rather disperse quietly. They seem to have done that so well that their impact on the political landscape - as a block - is limited. Also, the Arab American civic groups and NGOs are too numerous and sometimes were at odds with each other. Much of that might be due to the fact that
Arab immigrants may have brought perceived ancient differences with them from various lands of origin. A positive sign is the much younger age of the most recent wave of immigrants. Tribal or ancient differences between groups back home would not mean much to these young people. Therefore, they would be less burdened by them and ready to cooperate as active members of the American social fabric. Thus, if I am asked where this Almanac should venture next, I would not hesitate to say that it should have considerable coverage of “Young Arab Americans.” It should give examples of our youth and deal with their accomplishments as well as their hopes and dreams. A thoughtful reader will realize how difficult it is to put a volume like this together. It is done by seeking knowledge from disparate sources and working diligently with various groups with different objectives. This would normally require an organization of considerable size and the attendant resources. However, the volume is the work of one energetic and highly dedicated man: Joseph Haiek. Joseph Haiek has tirelessly worked for years and has done an admirable job in producing the Arab American Almanac series. He deals with the topic in its entirety, generating a cross-section whose depth and breadth scholars appreciate and envy. One of the most significant accomplishments is the attention to historical details and seeking information from reputable sources and recognized references. This sixth edition is a testimony to Joseph Haiek’s unstinting efforts, unlimited intellectual energy, and tireless perseverance. His work has brought to life a segment of American society that would otherwise remain hidden and unappreciated. It is hoped that this volume is coveted by libraries throughout America as a testimony to a group of immigrants who have greatly contributed to the fabric of this great nation.” Almanac Participants: Sinior editor: Bill Loughlin; General Manager: Caterina Haiek; Copy Editors and Researchers:George Aldridge, Natasha Gouneim, Catherine Quennoz Haiek, Louis Haiek, William Hannosh, Esq., Lara Shbeyr-Maxey, Ruth Ann Skaff, Christina Smith, Ph.D., Victoria Tamoush, Robert Thabit, Esq. Editorial Contributors: Sami Asmar, Nabil Azzam, Ph.D., Suheil Bushrui, Ph.D., Edmund Ghareeb, Ph.D, Ray Hanania, Ali Jihad Racy, Ph.D., Baher Shaarawi. Graphic Design and Website Consultants: Laila Haiek Nercessian, Alondra Hernandez, Marlene Panoyan.. Advisory Board: Farouk Amanatallah, Sami Asmar, Adel Barakat, Donald Bustany, Issam Chahayed, Judge James Kaddo, Yasin Khalisi, Ph.D., Nabil Khoury, M.D., Amira Mattar, Albert Salah, Hassan Sassi, Ph.D., Maurice Sweiss, J.D., Robert Thabit, Esq., Robert Habeeb Wyshak. It is worth noting, that the word "Almanac" is an Arabic word, meaning weather or state of condition. For more information and to place your orders, contact: the Arab American Historical Foundation, P.O.Box 291159, Los Angeles, CA 90029, e-mail: arabamericanhistorian@yahoo.com
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Helen Thomas Ends 5 Decades of Distiguished Journalistic Career in Controversy After more than 50 years covering the White House, journalist Helen Thomas earned her journalism degree from Wayne State University Thomas announced that she is retiring immediately from Hearst in 1942. She has received 40 honorary doctorate degrees, has been Newspapers, amid controversy over remarks she recently made about a commencement speaker at many colleges and universities and has Israel. lectured on the White House and the Presidency. Thomas has Hearst News Service broke the news, noting that Thomas' "deci- authored books including Dateline White House, and her memoirs sion came after her controversial comments about Israel and the Front Row at the White House, My Life and Times. White House Palestinians were captured on videotape and widely disseminated on Correspondents established the Helen the Internet." Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award in Since moving from reporter to columnist, her honor. Her numerous awards include Thomas has made her views on Israel and Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, National other hot-button issues known. But her Press Club Fourth Estate Award, National recent call for Israel to "get the hell out of Federation of Press Women Award and Palestine" and have its citizens return to many others. She was named one of the 25 Germany or Poland drew harsh rebukes most influential women in America by the from political leaders on the left and right. World Almanac in 1976. Despite an apology from Thomas, the conBorn to Lebanese parents George and troversy only grew. Thomas' speakers Mary in Winchester, Kentucky in 1920, agency dropped her as a client and a high Thomas married to late reporter Douglas school canceled her upcoming appearance at graduation. Press Secretary Robert B. Cornell who died in 1982. She resides Gibbs said that the comments were "offenin Washington, D.C. sive and reprehensible." The following is part of her speech The board of the White House when she was awarded the Helen Atwell Correspondents Association also weighed Award by The Arab American National in, calling Thomas' comments "indefensiMuseum in Dearborn, Michigan: ble" and "especially unfortunate in light of ”The only way for evil to prevail is for her role as a trailblazer on the White House good people to do nothing. Now I think I beat." should lighten up and tell you no one Thomas has had one of the most distinshould go into journalism if they want to be guished journalism careers over the past loved. half-century in Washington. ”As for the White House, I can assure She started out with UPI in 1943, and you that no president has ever liked the began covering the White House toward press, dating back to George Washington. the end of the Eisenhower administration. I wasn’t covering him but... Kennedy said: The White House was where she really ‘I am reading more and enjoying it less.’ made her name. Since the late 1950s, What Lyndon B. Johnson said is ‘unprintThomas has grilled every sitting president, able.’ earning a reputation as a reporter willing to ”Nixon once looked up when we walked ask tough questions regardless of who's in power. into the cabinet room and said, ‘It’s only Thomas holds the distinction of being the coincidental that we’re talking about pollufirst woman to become a National Press tion when the press walks in.’ President Club officer and first woman to become Ford accused me of practicing acupuncture president of the White House on presidents. Helen Thomas Correspondents Association. ”President Carter always seemed to be Given her accomplishments and saying: ‘Lord, forgive them for they know unmatched tenure in the briefing room, Thomas has been regarded as not what they do.’ When President Reagan was told that a press helthe dean of the White House press corps and — until today — held icopter had been fired on at the Honduran border, he said: ‘There’s the front-row center seat. Since the beginning of the controversy, it some good in everyone.’ had been an open question whether the board would take away that ”And when President Clinton was asked why the press always perk from Thomas. In its statement, the board said that it doesn't "police the speech went along with motorcade when he went jogging he laughed and of our members or colleagues" or issue White House credentials to said: They just want to see if I drop dead. My favorite ego trip is reporters. However, the board announced plans for a special meet- when Fidel Castro was asked what was the difference between his ing to decide whether an opinion columnist like Thomas should get a government and our democracy? He said: ‘I don’t have to answer front-row seat in the briefing room. With Thomas retiring, the board questions from Helen Thomas.’ ”Lincoln said: ‘Let the people know the facts and the country will won't have to make the uncomfortable decision of moving a legendary journalist to the back of the room, but it may still decide that be safe.’ Jefferson said: ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.’ it's not in the best interest of the association to have opinion writers Justice Brandeis said that a constant spotlight on public officials lessens the possibility of corruption.” up front.
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ACCESS board president Noel Saleh, Esq.,center, and Ismael Ahmed , ACCESS executive director, present the Arab American of the Year Award to Helen Thomas, the journalism legend during ACCESS 33rd Anniversary banquet attended by over 2,700 guests in Detroit, MI. Also Joseph R. Haiek, publisher of the Arab American Affairs magazine and Almanac series was presented with the same award at the banquet.
My favorite ego trip is when Fidel Castro was asked what was the difference between his government and our democracy? He said: ‘I don’t have to answer questions from Helen Thomas.’ - Helen Thomas
ADC’s Comments to Helen Thomas’ Retirement
Helen Thomas, 89, Dean of the White House Press Corp, and lauded as a "Pioneer Journalist" and Trailblazer for female journalists," apologized for her May 27, 2010, response when she was asked "Any comments on Israel...?" and she responded "Tell them to get the hell out of Palestine." Upon further prodding, Ms. Thomas stated that "Remember these people are occupied and it's their land..." and those who are the occupiers should "...go home" to "Poland, Germany...And America and everywhere else." In her apology, Ms. Thomas wrote: "I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heartfelt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for
mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon." The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) thanks Ms. Thomas for her legendary service, and acknowledges Ms. Thomas' apology. ADC believes that Ms. Thomas should be judged on her "50-plus years of probing journalism, and not on a 30-second sound bite," as stated by Mr. Zool Zulkowitz, who represents American Jews defending Ms. Thomas. Mr. Zulkowitz further said that, "We are clear what Helen Thomas meant to say, which is that Israel should cease its occupation of Palestine..." And, as Mr. Paul Jay wrote: "Not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitism...Helen Thomas' isn't." As President Obama recognized in his historic address in Cairo on June 4, 2009, the Palestinian people - Muslims and Christians - have endured the pain of dislocation for more than 60 years. "Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations - large and small - that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable ..." It is our hope that other journalists would rise in Ms. Thomas' place and espouse her courage in asking the hard questions. As Ms. Katrina Vanden Heuvel wrote yesterday in the Washington Post: "...isn't there room for someone who made a mistake, apologized and wants to continue speaking truth to power and asking tough questions?" We certainly hope so. We also hope that we will continue to celebrate Ms. Thomas' lifetime of courageous, frontline journalism; and that she will not be intimidated by the recent hateful accusations or deterred from her insightful questioning and reporting.
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RICHARD COREY WINS FAME IN BULLFIGHTING ARENA
When Richard Corey first entered the bullfighting ring professionaly in Mexico City, the crowds cheered as he won his first ear and he was carried out of the ring on their enthusiastic shoulders, an enticing act of admiration he would become accustomed to in the years to come. Corey, raised in Charleston, WV, son of Lebanese parents, lived a normal Southern life until he saw his first bullfight at 22 years of age. It was 1964 in Tijuana, Mexico, and the excitement of the fights awakened something in him. A new dream was born. Two years later, he would make that professional debut and his life as a bullfighter was born. Corey trained originally under former novillero Rafael Larrea in Southern California. He soon moved to Mexico to live the life of a typical maletilla, which in the world of bullfighting, means young, often hungry dreamers who look for any opportunities to perform. While in Mexico, Corey spent much of his time in the slaughter house, where he practiced his art of killing bulls. Then in October of 1966, his chance came. His professional debut was at Plaza La Aurora, a Mexico City ring. He heard success in the cheering crowds. Yet the many contracts he was expecting did not materialize right away. Craving that public attention again, he resorted to becoming an espontaneo, a spectator who enters the arena to join the bullfight. He had been watching a bullfight that featured Mexico’s numero uno matador, Manolo Martinez. Corey jumped into the arena and gave four tremendous muleta passes. The crowd cheered, but the police grabbed Corey out of the ring and began beating him. The crowd erupted in protest as did the matador Martinez and the plaza judge later pardoned the courageous Corey. It wasn’t until the late sixties that Corey began to get real contracts. From 1967-1970, he killed dozens of novillos and won many ears. In 1970, he won his first tail. He was carried out of the ring on the shoulders of the crowd again. Indeed, Corey was much better received as an American bullfighter in both Mexico and Spain than most of his American predecessors. He was reveling in the success. But the success was not painless. In July of 1968, he suffered his first goring. Luckily it was a minor one, but a few months later, in September, he suffered a grave goring to the right side of his groin. But he had not lost his brave blood, and Corey refused to leave the ring until he killed his bull. Honest and enthusiastic courage was something Corey was always known for in his bullfighting. He was gored again in 1970 in Juarez, a small goring over his left eye, and also fratrued his forehead.
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It wasn’t all success either. In 1969, Corey failed to kill one of his two bulls in the time allotted and, the animal was returned to the corral, having beat Corey this time. Corey won many trophies in those years in Mexico, including Guadalajara’s version of the Silver Sword in 1968 and the Cristo Negro trophy of Aguascalientes in 1970. With all the success of the Mexico fights behind him, Corey decided to try his luck in Spain hoping he would earn international fame there. He took a little while to get noticed in Spain often performing in pueblos earning very little money. But Corey’s tremendous courage thrilled the Spanish fans. Finally Corey was able to perform in the prestigious bullring of the magnificent Plaza de la Maestranza. He was tossed hard that day, but was also the only one to earn an ear. And on October 10, 1971, Corey won his first ear as a full matador. In 1972-1974, Corey continued to fight througout Spain oftentimes in small towns - earning many ears and nearly a dozen tails. His fans loved his casual courage and twice in the 1974 season, they carried him on their shoulders, praising him as a bullfighter. Then, in 1975, Corey started to lose his love for the game. He performed only five times and won only three ears. He was tired of putting himself at such risk, Corey admitted. “I needed to take a break, get away from it, for a while.” Corey’s hiatus from bullfighting became permanent though as he never again entered the ring. Today he is a family man and a businessman. He is married with three children and lives in Charleston. He’s involved in the produce distribution, taxi and a delivery services. Source: The News Circle/Arab-American Affairs magazine
Richard Corey
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A Brief History of the Arabic Language Press in the US BY EDMUND GHAREEB
This article is condensed from the press chapter introduction of the Arab American Almanac, 6th edition
The emergence of the Arabic-language press in America goes back to the beginning of the settlement of immigrants from Arabic-speaking lands under Ottoman rule. Thousands of immigrants established themselves in the United States as peddlers, small business owners, merchants, workers and professionals. In its heyday, from 1890s to the 1930s, the Arabic-language press not only played a major role in the lives of the Arabicspeaking community in the US, but its political, intellectual and technological influences reached the Arab world as well. Almost as soon as they set foot on the new land, Lebanese and Syrian immigrants began to publish their papers and magazines. Between 1892 and 1928, over 70 newspapers, magazines, journals and other publications were issued. In New York alone, 35 papers were published, 5 in Boston, 5 in Detroit, 3 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and 2 in Philadelphia. Some of the papers survived for only a few months, others for years, and Al-Huda, before its demise in 1993, was the oldest surviving Arabic paper, after Al-Ahram. The large number of papers was due to the fragmented nature of the community and to its intellectual vibrancy. The immigrants’ real numbers during this time is still unknown. Estimates vary, from about 10 to 50 thousand by the 1890s, and a little over 250 to 300 thousand by the 1920s. It was within this small community that a diverse and vibrant press which served as the incubator of a lively and far-reaching literary and artistic movement emerged. This movement rejected the traditional techniques, forms and styles of the homeland authors, and launched an unprecedented radical literary and cultural movement, which was imitated by new generations of writers and poets in al-Mahjar, the diaspora, and in the Arab world. The movement took its shape in literary societies in North and South America. Among them were the Pen League (alRabitah al-Qalamiyah), the Golden Circle, and the Andallusian Band (al-Usbah al-Andalusiyah) in South America. The papers provided the opportunity for writers such as Amin alRihani, Mikhail Naimy, Abd al-Masih and Nadra Haddad, Iliya Abu Madhi, Afifah Karam, Nasib Aridha, and many others the opportunity to reach a wide audience with their messages and styles, and to test readers’ reaction to their contributions. The press came to serve as a school to educate immigrants, the majority of whom did not know English, and it provided them with
knowledge about the rest of the world. They learned about their new country, its system of government, and its politics. The papers also were an important tie between the immigrants and the “old country”. The press also adopted major nationalist causes and issues, and called on readers to help achieve the liberation of Syria and Lebanon, and other Arab lands, first from the Turks, and later from the French and English. Some papers also called for independence from the British, French and other colonizers after World War II. The freedom to publish which these immigrants experienced in the US was a great boon to them, but it sometimes only helped to accentuate the differences existing in their homeland. The early immigrants to America brought with them all of their customs, traditions, differences and sectarian identities, as well as their love for the homeland they were forced to leave. At times, this press in America entered into fierce battles and recriminations, which only served to strengthen divisions and conflict. Each sect favored certain foreign powers, consequently Al-Huda was Maronite, Lebanese and proFrench, Miraat al-Gharb Orthodox, Arabist and pro-Russian. Al-Bayan was Islamic and pro-Ottoman. and later on pan-Arab. The first paper to be published in the US was the moderate, bilingual weekly, Kawkab America, launched in 1892 by Najib and Ibrahim Arbeely, sons of Dr. Yusuf Arbeely, a Syrian physician and educator who had taught at the Syrian Protestant College in Beirut. The Arbeelys are thought to be the first family to migrate together to the US, in 1878. Because of the influence of the Arbeely family, the Ottoman government allowed them to import Arabic letters to publish in the US. Al-Kawkab saw its purpose as reporting the news of the growing number of Ottomans in America. In its first issues, Kawkab America focused on defining and identifying the role of journalism and its significance. They also published Arabic-language advertising, including ads for sweets, breads, araq, and Persian tobacco. The ads were highly-literate and funny. The paper avoided the intra-press wars and supported the Ottoman Empire. It widely covered the community’s activities. It also debated the negative and positive aspects of immigration. The paper later became a daily, and reported on American news, Ottoman news, and news of Russia. In 1895, al-Kawkab published al-Bakoura alGharbiya, the first book to teach English to the immigrants, and the first book to be published by the Arabic press in America. The second newspaper published in America was al-Ayyam ( The Days), published by Yusuf Maalouf. It was opposed to the Ottoman Empire, and its pages were full of attacks against Ottoman rulers. The third was al-Asr (The Epoch), founded by Naoum Mokarzel in 1894. It only survived for a few months. Three other newspapers were established in 1898: al-‘Alam (The World), founded by Jirji Jabbour; al-Islah (The Reform), founded by Shibli Dammous. Al-Huda was the
Front page of Kawkab America, the first Arabic newspaper, published by Dr. Najeeb Arbeely, in New York, 1892.
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most influential of the Arabic papers and the most technologically innovative and aesthetically attractive. Al-Huda was established by Naoum Mukarzel... It continued until 1971 under 3 different members of the Mokarzel family. In 1971 its new owner, Faris Stephen (Istfan), continued to publish until the early 1990s. A study in 1922 showed that only Al-Huda had considerable advertising and circulation outside of the US, including Lebanon, Syria, Mexico, Brazil and Cuba, and that its circulation reached over the 30,000 mark. The newspapers mirrored the reality of immigrant life in its various sta Several of the papers, including Miraat al-Gharb, al-Bayan, al-Nisr and Al-Huda, adopted major nationalist causes and issues, and called on their readers to help achieve the liberation of Syria and Lebanon from the Turks. Some, especially AlHuda, provided an important link with other communities in Canada, South America, Australia, Egypt and Europe. The growing maturity of the press and the community allowed the press to become a weapon of enlightenment and a positive instrument to fight for the rights of the community and for the liberation and democratization of the old country. Al-Huda was the first Arabic newspaper to clearly separate news from opinion in its coverage, and to follow the American style of using headlines, display captions and pictures in its layout, indicating the content of the news stories and features. It set Naoum the standard for the Arabic-speaking world, which Moukarzal was later followed by many papers. The paper was one of the main instruments to alert and mobilize the immigrants to humanitarian and political crises in their homeland, as was the case during World War I, when one-fourth of Lebanon’s citizens died of famine and disease. One of the early issues which angered and mobilized the community and untied the press was a US court decision declaring the Syrians “non-white Asians”, unworthy of becoming Americans. Both Mokarzel and his rival Najeeb Dhiyab of Miraat al-Gharb, and others who, at times, were at each other’s throats, worked hard and long to change the ruling. A committee for the freedom of immigration was also established to pursue the right of the immigrants to US citizenship. The decision was finally reversed after several years of active lobbying of judicial and immigration authorities. Most of the papers were active opponents of any efforts by the Ottoman government to undermine Lebanon’s autonomy. Mokarzel, for example, launched the Lebanese League of Progress (alNahdhah), which came to have over 50 branches in the US, and many others abroad, to safeguard Lebanon’s autonomy, and later to demand its independence. The press and the community were greatly alarmed by the famine and political oppression in Lebanon during World War I. Lebanese communities in Egypt and other places sought help from immigrant communities in the US. The aid that was given by the different communities to the families in Lebanon reached 2.5 million dollars, which was an amazing amount, taking into account the small size of the community at that time, and the fact that many of them were quite poor. Another very important committee favored by al-Miraat and al-Sayeh magazine was called the Lebanese-Syrian National Liberation Committee. This was established in New York with Ayoub Thabit as its head, and Gibran as its Secretary General. The United State’s denial of the rights of citizenship led to fierce battles. Some editors and intellectuals successfully sought the aid of other American groups, including the Foreign Press Association, of which Naoum was a member of its board. This, however, did not deter its editors. The publisher of Al-Huda
was among those editors who were sentenced to death in absentia. Some other editors, however, were caught and executed, while others were exiled. The press also served as a training arena for young writers and journalists. One of these examples is Afifah Karam, a young woman who became one of the American and Arabic women journalistic pioneers. She benefited from her work with al-Huda, where she started in 1899. In 1912, she decided to start her own magazine, The New Woman’s World (al-Alam al-Nisai al-Jadid), one of four magazines focusing on women’s issues in the entire Arabic-speaking world. She said that women were equal to men, and proved this by calling on Syrian families to end their oppression of their women, and not to deny them their natural, social and scientific rights Al-Huda, al-Funun and al-Miraat were very diligent in maintaining a grammatically correct, high quality of Arabic. Naoum constructed Arabic words for telephone and a few other English words, maintained a level not matched by many papers in the Arab world. On another front more than 200 books were published on Arabic literature, both ancient and modern. Six books were published on American history and three each on Egyptian, and Turkish history. Three were published about the Arab Revolt, three on the French Revolution and two on the Russian Revolution. Sallom There were 15 books on Lebanese and 10 on Moukarzal Syrian history. Five were printed on medicine and one on family planning. Seven on the life of Jesus, 19 on immigration, and three books on minorities in America. The second phase for the Arabic press lasted from the 1920s until the 1950s. The third phase was the one that really began in the 1960s and continues to the present day, concerned with the arrival of many of whom were better-educated immigrants from Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq and other Arab countries leading to the revival of interest in the Arabic-language press. The main catalyst, however, was the 1967 defeat of the Arabic countries by Israel and the growing stereotyping of Arabs in the American media. These factors contributed both to the rise of new publications and to new Arab-American organizations such as the AAUG, the NAAA and the ADC.
Edmund Ghareeb, Ph.D., is a widely recognized authority on Iraq, the Kurds, American foreign policy, the Gulf, U.S. media coverage of the Arab World. The first Mustafa Barzani Distinguished Scholar in Residence in Kurdish studies at American University’s Center for Global Peace and is an adjunct professor at the School of International Service. A lecturer and adjunct professor at Georgetown Washington University where he has taught courses on Iraq, Syria and the Arabian Peninsula. Has also taught at the University of Virginia and McGill University. Advisory board member of editors of The Middle East and The Jordan Journals. Co-author of the Historical Dictionary of Iraq and of War in the Gulf , and the editor of Split Vision: The Portrayal of Arabs in the American Media. His other works include the Kurdish Nationalist Movement, The Kurdish Question in Iraq, and is the co author of, al-Siyassah al-Amrikiyyah wa al- Watan al-Arabi, alTaqqrir al-Istratiji al-Khaliji , Thawrat al-Ma’lumat fi al-I’lam al-Arabi al-Jadid. A journalist, a media consultant and a commentator for the BBC Arabic Radio and TV, al-Jazeerah Arabic and English channels and for Abu Dhabi TV. He is widely interviewed by major American, Arab, and international media outlets.
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The Statue of Liberty Story: From Egypt to New York work in which the design itself expresses after a fashion infinity.’ “Though his academic scruples prevented him from ever imiIn 1986 “Arab-Americans for Liberty,” under the chairman- tating Egyptian art directly – except for certain architectural refship of Casey Kasem, Los Angeles, held fund-raising events in erences – its grandiose success in the colossal mode haunted him, Washington, D.C. and other cities and solicited donations and the dream of equalling it became a mainspring of his life. toward the group’s $100,000 pledge for the restoration work on “To a large extent this ambition can be said to have been fulthe Statue of Liberty. Arab-Americans confilled, for by far his most successful tributed to the restoration of the statue and works – and they did bring him great the Liberty Week Centennial celebrations. fame – were the Liberty and the Lion Los Angeles musician Dr. A. Jihad Racy of Belfort, a patriotic memorial to the played traditional Arab music at an ethnic town’s heroic defenders of 1871 built folk festival in Lower Manhattan as part of into the cliffs below the fortress in the the Liberty Week festivities. Other Arabform of a 22 by 11 meter feline – a American musicians from New York includcross between Khafre’s Sphinx at ed Dr. Simon Saheen, playing oud and vioGizeh and Thorvaldsen’s Lion of lin, and Hanna Mirhije, playing percussion. Lucerne. The Arabic roots of the Statue of Liberty “The impetus for Bartholdi’s two go back to Egypt, when its sculptor Fredric colossi came out of the war of 1870-71 Auguste Bartholdi, influenced by Egypt’s and its aftermath. But already in the great monuments and pyramids, was comlate years of the Second Empire, missioned to create a statue to be called the Bartholdi, encouraged, it seems, by the “Statue of Progress” for the entrance of the Empress Eugenie herself, had Suez Canal, according to the following approached Khedewi Ismail Pasha, excerpt taken from the book The Statue of ruler of Egypt, with a project during his Liberty by Marvin Trachtenberg, Viking visit to Paris in connection with the Press, 1976: “Frederic Auguste Bartholdi in Universal Exposition of 1867. 1856 accompanied Leon Gerome, Bally, “Bartholdi saw the possibility of and Berchere – a group of orientalist achieving a colossal project in the land painters – on a long trip to Egypt, a fashionof his dreams. Its location was to be at able undertaking at the time. Bartholdi, very the entrance to the Suez Canal nearing serious about the trip, not only made a numcompletion in 1867 when Bartholdi ber of remarkably good photographs (then first proposed it. In form a colossal falbecoming the rage), but took careful note of lah (fallah, in Arabic, means farmer) the great monuments that had drawn him on many times life-size and holding aloft so long a journey. And it was this voyage up a torch, the theme being ‘Progress’ or the Nile that seems to really have brought ‘Egypt carrying the Light to Asia’, it out his latent attraction to the colossal claswas to be the embodiment of Ismail’s sical sculpture. efforts at Europeanization and referred “The Egypt of Thebes and Abu Simbel particularly to the great new canal remained for all to behold, and admire it itself. It was to serve as a lighthouse, A sketch of the proposed statue Bartholdi most passionately did. Thirty thus recalling the Pharaohs of that Bartholdi wanted to erect years later (after an intermediate visit) he Alexandria. at the entrance of the wrote: “Bartholdi worked on the Suez Suez Canal in Egypt. “‘We are filled with profound emotion in project intermittently over the two sucthe presence of these colossal witnesses, ceeding years experimenting with the centuries old, of a past that to us is almost infinite, at whose feet movement of the figure in a number of clay maquettes and drawso many generations, so many million existences, so many ings. In 1869 he attended the festive opening ceremonies of the human glories, have rolled in the dust. These granite beings, in canal (for which Verdi’s Aida was commissioned, although not their imperturbable majesty, seem to be still listening to the completed in time), taking the opportunity to solicit Ismail most remote antiquity. Their kindly and impassible glance again. His response was encouraging; he even involved himself seems to ignore the present and to be fixed upon an unlimited in the scheme sufficiently to suggest that the light be carried not future. These impressions are not the result simply of a beauti- in the hand but native style – atop the head. However, Ismail’s ful spectacle, nor of the poetry of historic remembrances. They interest was transient; more pressing problems were soon to conresult from the character of the form and the expression of the front him. 1986 - The Egyptian Story Behindthe Statue of Liberty
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ARAB AMERICAN HISTORIAN
FALL 2005
Philip Habib Among Distinguished American Diplomats on New U.S. Postage Stamp Series
Serving as America’s diplomatic representatives around the Secretary for Political Affairs. He also served as Diplomat in world, diplomats promote foreign policy, resolve disputes, and Residence at Stanford University. protect American citizens abroad. The six accomplished diploBorn in Brooklyn, of Lebanese-American parents, Habib studmats featured on these stamps are remembered for their contri- ied forestry at the University of Idaho and earned a Ph.D. in butions to international relations - not only as negotiators and economics from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1949 administrators but also as trailblazers, he became a Foreign Service Officer and shapers of policy, peacemakers, and was subsequently posted to Canada, New humanitarians. This souvenir sheet consists Zealand, and Trinidad. of a collage by Fred Otnes featuring details Habib retired for health reasons in 1980, from photographs of six diplomats placed but in 1981 he came out of retirement for a in front of visas, passport pages, and other series of high-profile special assignments. ephemera associated with diplomacy. He served as President Ronald Reagan's The six distinguished American diplomats personal representative to the Middle East, honored in these stamps are: Charles E. where he spent two years engaged in highBohlen, Hiram Bingham IV, Philip Habib, profile shuttle diplomacy that helped reduce Robert Murphy, Clifton R. Wharton, Sr. tensions in the region. He also served as a and Frances E. Willis special envoy to the Philippines and Central Philip Habib (1920-1992) a renowned America. career diplomat, was an authority on In 1982 Habib was awarded the Southeast Asia, a peace negotiator in the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's Middle East, and a special envoy to some highest civilian award. of the world's most dangerous flash points. Commenting about this distinguish honor The portrait of Philip C. Habib is a detail bestowed upon a leading community perfrom an undated photograph by Bruce sonality, Robert S. Andrews, chairman of Hoertel. Americans for Kahlil Gibran Postage Following service in the U.S. Army durStamp Committee, said: ing World War II, Habib became a teaching “Philip Habib was a great statesman worresearch assistant at the University of thy of a postage stamp in his honor. Kahlil Philip Habib California, Berkeley, 1947. Gibran, another American of Lebanese Beginning in 1965, Habib served as a political counselor in descent, an artist, philosopher, poet and author of “The Saigon just as the Vietnam War was escalating, and he soon Prophet,” so far sold over 8 million copies worldwide and became an expert on the region, serving in Washington as translated to over 40 languages, deserves similar recognition in Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs 2008, the 125th year of his birth.” and then serving for three-and-a-half years on the Vietnam The Arab-American Historical Foundation sent a letter to the peace talks in Paris. From 1971 to 1974 he served as ambassa- Postmaster acknowledging with thanks for honoring Philip dor to South Korea. From 1976 until 1978 he served as Under Habib’s distinguished diplomatic contributions to America.
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THE KAHLIL GIBRAN CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
announces a renewed commitment to restoring and maintaining the Kahlil Gibran Memorial Garden located in Washington, D.C. on Massachusetts Avenue across from the British Embassy
THE KAHLIL GIBRAN MEMORIAL GARDEN Is a tribute to Gibran, a Lebanese-born poet and philosopher known and beloved throughout the world. Dedicated in 1991, the Memorial Garden is also our gift to the people of the United States. It now needs repair, restoration and ongoing maintenance. This noble responsibility is ours, as Americans of Arab descent and all friends of Gibran Kahlil Gibran. Join us to restore this sacred space to its original luster and maintain it perpetually.
WE ARE ASKING YOUR SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN The Kahlil Gibran Memorial Garden in Washington, DC..
PLEASE SEND YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO: KAHLIL GIBRAN CENTENNIAL FOUNDATION C/O MICHAEL E. BAROODY, TREASURER,,4628 Newcomb Place, Alexandria, VA 22304
Kahlil Gibran Centennial Foundation Board of Directors: Dr. Donald E. Hanna, President; Richard Karam VicePresident;Michael E. Baroody, Treasurer; Martha L. Owen, Corresponding Secretary;Members: Michele Forzley, Corporate Secretary; Kelly Aide, Mariam Swydan Erickson,Greg Gormanous, Helen Hatab Samhan, Dr. Albert F. Johary,Phyllis A. JosephPeggy Anawaty Karam, Miriam Khoury, Victoria L. Linden, David Martinous Alfred Mansour, Michael Shikany, Raymond Zoghbyand Rose Zwan Honorary Members: Congressman Nick Rahall of West Virginia, Congressman Darrell Issa of California; Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr. of Louisiana; Sheryl Ameen Fiegel,Ruth Ann Skaff, William Anawaty, Jr., Robert S. Andrews, Adelene Abercia, Paul and Julia Collins
Gibran: “Work is Love made visible.”
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 17
With compliments of Joseph R. Haiek - Arab American Historical Foundation
Arab-American Affairs
June-July 2008
Arab American History
The Titanic Arab Tale (1912) BY RAY HANANIA
Aboard the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic were passengers of Arab heritage. All told, there were only 706 survivors of the 2,223 passengers and crew who sailed on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. There were 79 passengers whose surnames are of obvious Arab heritage. Also lost in what is one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th Century was a priceless copy of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. The book had 1,051 semi-precious stones set in 18-carat gold, 5,000 separate pieces of colored leathers and 100 square feet of 22-carat gold leaf in the tooling. Although one Arab survivor and several other sources contend there were more than 165 Arabs on board, I searched and reviewed every name on the passenger, crew and business concessionaire list and only could identify 79 names. Geller, in her account of the Titanic tragedy, Titanic: Women and Children First, writes there “officially were 154 Syrians on board the Titanic, and 29 were saved: four men, five children and 20 women. All the Arab passengers were ticketed Third Class, except four who traveled Second Class.” We can only guess in some instances, and my instinct tells me the number, 79, is slightly low. Not told at these hearings were the remorseful tales of tragedy that accompanied the Arab passengers, some of whom departed on the voyage with visions of new futures in new worlds. We know of their stories thanks in large part to people like Philip Hind and Michael A. Findlay, who authored an informative memorial to the Titanic that is on the Web. Ray Hanania is an author and journalist based in Chicago.
1876 • The Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia attracted merchants from throughout the Arab world. These merchants brought the perfume of attar of roses, olive wood carvings, gold filagree jewels, amber beads, ceramic vases, and rosaries. Religious items from Palestine, and especially those from Jerusalem, sold so well that a number of these Arab merchants sent home for more. They peddled these items throughout the area, and many stayed to set up import centers for other peddlers and to become American citizens.
1948- The first in a series of international conventions took Arab-Americans to Syria and Lebanon for what was called “The Convention of the Absent Ones” or “The Overseas Convention.” The convention, which was one month in length (two weeks in Syria and two weeks in Lebanon), was organized by the Syrian-Lebanese Federation of the Eastern States in conjunction with the other federations now known as the National Association of Syrian-Lebanese Federations. The presiding officer of the convention was Frank Maria; the convention chairman was Joseph Sado. A number of meetings took place between the coordinating committee of the National Association of Syrian-Lebanese Federations and members of the U.S. Department of State prior to the overseas convention. The Department of State looked upon the convention as an opportunity to further strengthen relations between the U.S. and the Arab world. It was known in Dr. Maria’s words as a “people to people” program.
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Who is Who in Arab-American History
1891 • The Faour brothers: George, Daniel and Dominick founded the first Syrian bank on Washington Street in Manhattan, New York.
Col. James Jabara World War II Flying Ace
1939-1945 • Because ethnic records were not kept, it is difficult to ascertain exact numbers who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. But it is a reasonable estimate that at least 30,000 GIs of Arab lineage fought for this country against Hitler, Mussolini, and General Tojo of Japan. Judging by isolated records, it is likely that a great percentage also enlisted in World War I. In fact, America’s first World War II flying ace was Col. James Jabara. A native of Wichita, Kansas, and of Col. James Jabara Lebanese descent, Jabara would later shoot down 15 Russian MIGS in the Korean War to extend his top “ace” status into the 1950s (a fighter “ace” is designated when a pilot downs more than five of the enemy’s aircraft). Jabara was virtually unknown by the Syrian community in the United States until his name was flashed across banner headlines in the New York Times. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and in 1950 he was named by the Air Force Association as its most distinguished aviator. He died in a car accident in 1966.
Time Magazine in its July 15, 1974 issue under the heading “200 Faces for the future” presented three Arab-Americans among its portfolio of 200 young American leaders. A. Robert Abboud, deputy chairman of the First Chicago Corp., holding company for the powerful First National Bank of Chicago; James Abourezk, first U.S. Senator of Arabic Heritage of South Dakota, who, after his single term in Congress captured the Senate seat in 1972; and Ralph Nader, who indicted U.S. automakers (Unsafe at Any Speed) in 1965 and was aided by “Nader’s Raiders”, some 28 full-time attorneys and 56 congressional lobbyists, researchers, organizers and thousands of volunteers.
1950• Attorney George Kasem became the first Arab-American U.S. Congressman. He represented the 25th District in Los Angeles and later became a judge in West Covina City, California.
1922 • The Homsey brothers started building a 116,000 sq. ft. discount store in Oklahoma. Later, in 1959, they moved to a larger facility with 1,400 car parking spaces. The five Homsey brothers were: Paul, Harry, Benny, Joe, and Sam.
• Frank A. Bitar was born in Tripoli, Lebanon in 1902 and came to Portland, Oregon in 1922 with his brother Robert A. Bitar, who later became the honorary Consul of Lebanon. They owned and operated Bitar Brothers food store in Laurelhurst until the midforties, when they formed Empire Construction Company, doing business in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. The brothers formed Bitar Brothers Property Investment and Management.
1924• New York and New Jersey were the business centers of the Syrian community. There were more than 25 silk factories in Paterson and West Hoboken, New Jersey. They were considered to have distinctive weaving skills. According to Charles Hayek of Florida, the state of New Jersey had special tax incentives and privileges for all silk weavers. That is why most of the Hayeks were in New Jersey since 1920. (Hayek, in Arabic, means weaver.)
1925 • A group of Muslim immigrants in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who rented a building to serve as a mosque, formed an organization to bind themselves together religiously, socially, and culturally. This was known as “The Rose of Fraternity Lodge.”
1977 • January - Bill Baroody, center, joined the American Enterprise Institute, as executive vice president. He was honored by President Gerald Ford as The Distinguished Fellow of the American Enterprise Institute, Washington, D.C., along with some 20 other top officials including Antonin Scalia, James Miller and Robert Bork. Bill Baroody, Jr., left.
Attorney George Jamil Shalhoub • Auto Accidents •W o r k e r
Compensation • Personal Injury • Criminal Cases • Immigration
’ s
(818) 264-3836 Fax: (818) 264-3836 5187 Chimineas Ave., Tarzana, CA 91357 Summer 2010 ARAB
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BOOKS & PRESS
Kahlil Gibran: His Life and World, Jean and Kahlil Gibran (Cousin); 464pp., New York Graphic Society, Boston, MA, 19811991. Gibran Khalil, philosophical essayist, novelist, mystic poet, and artist. Principal Arabic works: A Tear and a Smile (1914), Spirits Rebellious (1920), The Broken Wings (1922), and the poetry collection The Procession (1923). Principal English works: The Madman (1918), The Forerunner (1920), The Prophet (1923), Sand and Foam (1926), Jesus, the Son of Man (1928).
Kahlil Gibran: Man and Poet, Suheil Bushrui and Joe Jenkins, biography of Arab-American poet, Oneworld Publications, Oxford, England, 1998. Palestine Inside Out: An Everyday Occupation, Saree Makdisi. Discusses the most important but least visible aspects of life under occupation such as permits, passes, curfews, and closures that have isolated Palestinian communities from their lands, 387 pp, New York, NY, W.W. Norton & Company, 2008.
Social and Political Attitudes of Arab-Americans, Baha AbuLaban, Washington, D.C., American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Research Institute, 1992. The Song of Our Syrian Guest, William Knight, Boston, MA, Pilgrim Press, 1906.
Split Vision: The Portrayal of Arabs in the Media, Edited by Edmund Ghareeb, the role of the media in shaping U.S. perception toward Arabs is explored, American-Arab Affairs Council, 402 pp, hard cover, Washington, D.C., 1983. The Story of Lebanon and Its Emigrants, Al-Hoda, New York, NY, Al-Hoda Press, 1968.
The Syrian American Soldier in Three Wars, Gabriel Ward, New York, NY, Syrian American Press, 1919.
Syria and Syrians from the Window of History, Philip K. Hitti, New York, NY, Syrian American Press Year. A Bicentennial Presentation - Our Near Eastern Heritage; Twin Cities: Fall River, New Bedford. Younis, Adele L. Salem, MA, Salem State College, New York, NY, Vanguard Press, 1914. Syrians in the United States of America, Philip K. Hitti, Cairo, Matba’at al-Muqtataf, 1922.
Taking Root -- Bearing Fruit: the Arab-American Experience, published by the American-Arab AntiDiscrimination Committee (ADC), Dr. James Zogby, Editor, Washington, D.C., including photographs; 144pp, 1984. The Syrians of the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Irene Nicholas, Milwaukee, WI, Institute of the Y.M.C.A., 1929.
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Tales of the Emigrant, A. A. Haddad, New York, NY, Syrian American Press, 1921.
Malouf the Ghassani Legacy, George Hanna Malouf, covers history of the Malouf family tree; 620pp, Malouf Publications International, Hereford, TX, 1992. Saga America: A Startling New Theory on the Old World Settlement of America Before Columbus, by Barry Fell, who also authored America B.C., presents a new theory on preColumbus settlements of America, including Libyans, Egyptians, and Phoenicians who left visible marks of their early expeditions, and it includes old Arabic calligraphy and artifacts, 392 pp, New York Times Books Co., 1983.
Syria and Syrians from the Window of History, Philip K. Hitti, New York, NY, Syrian American Press Year. A Bicentennial Presentation - Our Near Eastern Heritage; Twin Cities: Fall River, New Bedford. Younis, Adele L., Salem, MA, Salem State College, New York, NY, Vanguard Press, 1914.
Making Music in the Arab World: The Culture and Artistry of Tarab, A.J. Racy, a well-known scholar of ethnomusicology and a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); examines aspects of musical craft, including the basic skills, the musician’s inspiration, love lyrics as tools of ecstasy, and the relationship between performers and listeners; 360 pp, Cambridge University Press, 2003. Cambridge University Press.
Coming of Arabic-Speaking People to the U.S. Adele L. Younis, Philip M. Kayal, editors, book on Arab immigration and ethnicity, Center for Migration Studies, Staten Island, NY, 1995.
Arabs in America: Myths and Realities, Abu-Laban Baha & Faith T. Zeady, editors. Includes papers on the Western press and on Arabs in America in Social Science textbooks, The Medina University Press International, Wilmette, IL.
Arab World Notebook, published by Najda: Women Concerned about the Middle East; Audrey Shabbas and Prof. Ayad Al-Qazzaz, Berkeley, CA. A collection of materials for secondary school teachers, 1980.
Arab Writers in America: Critical Essays and Annotated Bibliography; English/Arabic. Contributors: Fawzi Abdulrazak, Salih Jawad Altoma, George N. Atiyeh, Issa J. Boullata, Salma Khadra Jayyusi, Mounah Khouri, Francine H. McNulty, Kamil M. al-Shaibi, Michael J. Zwettler; Dar Mahjar Publishing and Distribution, Cambridge, MA, 1981. Sitti’s Secrets, Naomi Shihab Nye, Simon and Schuster Children’s, 1997.
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Arab America Today: A Demographic Profile of Arab Americans, John Zogby, The Arab-American Institute, Washington, D.C.
Arab-American Almanac, the most comprehensive reference book series on ArabAmericans in the U.S., the 5th edition, 560 pages. Joseph R. Haiek, Publisher-Editor; The News Circle Publishing House: PO Box 3684 Glendale, CA 91221-0684 (818)507-0333, Fax:(818) 246-1936, www.arab-american-affairs.net
Arab American Biography, two volumes, Loretta Hall and Bridget K. Hall, profiles of 75 noteworthy Arab Americans, UXL,1999. Detroit, MI.
Arab American Encyclopedia, by Dr. Anan Ameri and Dawn Ramey, editors, sponsored by the Arab Community Center for Economic Social Services a reference book exploring the history and culture of the diverse groups of Arab Americans, 320 pages, published by UXL/ the Gale Group, 2000. Detroit, MI. Arab/American: By Gary Paul Nabhan, University of Arizona Press, 144 pages, 2008
The Arab Americans, by Alixa Naff, detailed history of two generations of Syrian immigrants. Chelsea House Publishers, 1998. New York, NY.
The Arab Americans, by Randa Kayyali, chronicles the first wave of Arab immigrants, mostly Christian men from Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, as they arrive in America between 1880 and 1925. Published by Greenwood Press, 2005.
The Arab Americans, A History, Gregory Orfalea, 435 pp, Olive Branch Press, 2006. Northampton, MA. California’s Arab Americans, by Janice Marchner, a look at the history of Arab Americans in California and their contributions to its development. Published by Coleman Ranch Press, 161 pages, 2003.
Carpenter from Nazareth: A Palestinian Portrait, Azmi S. Audeh, description of the life of a Palestinian family in Palestine, Israel, and the United States, Audeh Publishers, 1998. Boulder, CO.
Cedars by the Mississippi: The Lebanese Americans in the Twin Cities, Viviane Doche, San Francisco, CA, R and E Research Associates, 1978.
Children of the Roojme: A Family’s Journey from Lebanon, Elmaz Abinader, University of Wisconsin Press, 1997. Christianity in Iraq, Suha Rassam, 203 pp, Gracewing, Herefordshire, England, 2005.
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A Doctor in Galilee: The Life and Struggle of a Palestinian in Israel, Hatim Kanaaneh, 267pp, Pluto Press, 2008. Ann Arbor, MI.
Educational Guide for Syrian Students in the United States, Philip K. Hitti, 1921, New York, NY, Syrian American Press.
Al-Durrah al-Ganimia Fi al-Harb al-Kawnia (First World War Stories), George Rameh Ghamim; 460pp, the SyrianAmerican Commercial Press, 1923. Salloum Mokarzel owner, New York, NY. Durar wa Ghurar (Bedouin Poetry and Prose), Bishara Kassis al-Mushammal, 488pp in Arabic, Los Angeles
Egyptian Images, Salah Kanakri, artistic depiction of Egypt in mid-20th century, 100 pp, 2002. Artimax, Glendale, CA
Emerging Ethnicity: The Arab-Americans in the U.S., Ali S. Zaghel, University of Utah. Emigration from Syria and the Syrian-Lebanese Community of Worcester, Massachusetts, Najib E. Saliba, Liogonier, PA, Antakya Press, 1992.
Ethnic Heritage in North Dakota, Attiyeh Foundation, Washington, D.C., Attiyeh Foundation Boston, MA, South End Press, 1994.
Etching Our Own Image: Voices From Within the Arab American Art Movement - Edited by Holly Arida and AANM Director Dr. Anan Ameri, Director of the ArabAmerican National Museum.Published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing of Great Britain. The book represents the highlights of the Museum’s first DIWAN: A Forum for the Arts, a conference for Arab American artists and scholars in all disciplines held in 2006. “Evil” Arabs in American Popular Film, Orientalist Fear, Tim Jon Semmerling, 255 pp, University of Texas Press, 2006. Austin, Texas.
Journey of a Yemeni Boy, Rashid A. Abdu. This autobiography follows a Yemeni boy as he pursues his dream to become a surgeon in the United States, 556 pp, M.D., Dorrance Publishing Co., 2005. Pittsburgh, PA.
Jerusalem in History, K.J. Asali, editor, comprehensive outline of the city’s history, 380pp, Olive Branch Press, 2000. Brooklyn, NY.
Sands of Vengeance, Antonio Saba, gripping saga of twin brothers, Chambers Publishing Group, 1997. Cleveland, OH.
Saudi Arabia: Rush to Development, by Ragaei El Mallakh, the Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, a profile of Saudi Arabia energy, economy and investments, banking and international trade. 472 pp, 1982.