ARAB AMERICAN ACTIVISM

ADC’s Turaath Celebrates Arab Culture With Stand-Up Comedy

Iman Jodeh Inspires at Museum of the Palestinian People’s Gala

PHOTO @DC_MAJIDPHOTOGRAPHY Comedians (l‐r) Nina Kharoufeh, Reem Edan, Diala Taneeb, Mike Easmeil, Majdy Fares and Said Durrah joke about the Arab American experience.

A sold-out crowd celebrated Arab culture and heritage at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee’s (ADC) Turaath Night at George Washington University’s Jack Morton Auditorium on Dec. 8. ADC’s national executive director Abed A. Ayoub welcomed attendees, noting that there could be no better way to start the holiday season than by laughing together. The comedians joked about what it means to be truly Arab and fully American—and their audience nearly fell out of their seats laughing.

Host comedian Said Durrah poked fun at his Gaza/Syrian American family and the hilarious ways he navigated growing up in his white neighborhood in Mayo, MD. He and every subsequent comedian singled out “Roger,” a hapless white (i.e. non-Arab) man in the front row, to explain the fine points of some jokes or plays on Arabic words. (In the end, Durrah presented Roger with a keffiyah from Middle East Books and More, which prompted a rush of sales at our booth after the program!)

Iraqi-American Reem Edan, an awardwinning digital content creator, showcased her unique “Muslim-ennial” humor. Palestinian-American champion storyteller Majdy Fares, from Dearborn, MI, who currently lives in Washington, DC, presented his version of “comedy with a cause.” Diala Taneeb, who writes headlines, scripts and

jokes for a purpose-led ad agency in Boston, hilariously described culture shock growing up in Roanoke, VA, as well as during trips to Palestine. Mike Easmeil, another Palestinian-American, joked about fatherhood and life in a different southern community with few Arabs: Virginia Beach. Boxer and author Nina Kharoufeh joked about her search for a wealthy husband and explaining Islam to curious coworkers. Turaath Night is a not-to-be-missed yearly ADC tradition of cultural celebration, and one of ADC’s core missions. To host a similar event in your city, email ADC national organizer Jinan Shbat at jshbat@adc.org. —Delinda C. Hanley

The Museum of the Palestinian People (MPP) celebrated its 5th Annual Gala and auction with a seated dinner hosted by the Tabard Inn, in Washington, DC, on Nov. 3. Emmy-nominated reporter and producer Rhana Natour emceed the event, which featured stand-up comedy by Said Durrah. MPP chairman and founder Bshara Nassar described the accomplishments of the museum, which has hosted thousands of visitors for tours and events. He said, “We’re so lucky and grateful to the Goelet family who have provided this place to amplify Palestinian voices.”

A keynote speech by Colorado State Representative Iman Jodeh, a Palestinian American Muslim and progressive Democrat, inspired listeners. After proudly sharing her story as a first-generation Palestinian American, and telling voters that everyone deserves a fair shot at the American

PHOTO COURTESY MPP (L‐r) Maytham Alshadood, his wife, Colorado State Representative Iman Jodeh, MPP chairman of the board Farshid Hakimyar and MPP founder and director Bshara Nassar.