Advertisement Close

Arab Culture

Pathbreakers of Arab America—Najee Mondalek

This is the fifty-seventh of Arab America’s series on American pathbreakers of Arab descent. The series includes personalities from entertainment, business, sports, science, academia, journalism, and politics, among other areas. Our fifty-seventh pathbreaker is Najee Mondalek, a Lebanese American actor who founded AJYAL Theatrical group. Contributing writer, John Mason, describes how Mondalek has been named the Jerry Seinfeld of Arab-American culture for such roles as Im Hussein and such plays as “Arab and Broud.” The everyday lives of Arab Americans are the focus of AJYAL, including their mistakes and mishaps. Najee fell into the role of Im Hussein by accident, as we’ll see.

Aristotle and Islamic Philosophy

By Luke McMahan/ Arab America Contributing Writer Ancient Greek philosophy, particularly that of Aristotle, was profoundly influential in the development of Islamic philosophy during the Abbasid Caliphate. Early translations and commentaries in Arabic facilitated the incorporation of reason and Greek thought into the writings of prominent Muslim thinkers such as Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, and Ibn … Continued

Karimeh Abbud: The First Palestinian Lady Photographer

By Arwa Almasaari / Arab America Contributing Writer Karimeh Abbud, born in Bethlehem in 1893, made history as Palestine’s first professional female photographer. Her work, encompassing personal portraits and stunning landscapes, offers a rare visual record of daily life and prominent landmarks in early twentieth-century Palestine. Decades later, her recently discovered photographs inadvertently challenge the … Continued

Al-Ma’arri: Medieval Anti-Theist, Vegan, and Anti-Natalist?

By Liam Nagle / Arab America Contributing Writer Al-Ma’arri, a relatively obscure Arab philosopher from the Golden Age of Islam, is perhaps best described as a pessimist. He held several beliefs that were controversial not only in his time but even today. First, while he believed in a God, he was critical of organized religions. … Continued

Arab America Foundation Announces Speakers and Performers for Annual CONNECT Arab America: Empowerment Summit October 25-26, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REGISTER HERE (WASHINGTON, D.C., August 28, 2024) The Arab America Foundation is excited to announce its speakers for the CONNECT Arab America: Empowerment Summit, which will be held on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Dearborn Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, Michigan 48126. To date, over … Continued

Marie El-Khoury: A Remarkable Jewelry Designer

By Arwa Almasaari / Arab America Contributing Writer In the early twentieth century, amidst the glittering names of Tiffany and Cartier, another jeweler captivated New York’s elite—Marie El-Khoury. Not only was she one of the most sought-after jewelers in the city, but El-Khoury also served as a board member at the Metropolitan Museum of Art … Continued

Rewriting the Music Playbook: Harget Kart’s Art of Fusion

By: Yara Marei / Arab America Contributing Writer Imagine a band that takes the ordinary, lights it on fire, and from the ashes creates something extraordinary. This is Harget Kart—a name that, in the Arabic Jordanian dialect, means “to burn a photo card.” Just as their name suggests, Harget Kart has set the conventional boundaries … Continued

A Glimpse into 19th-Century Syrian Christian Weddings

By: Arwa Almasaari / Arab America Contributing Writer Weddings are more than just ceremonies—they are monumental events in one’s life. Have you ever wondered how Arabs celebrated their weddings in the nineteenth century? In his autobiography, A Far Journey, Abraham Rihbany provides a unique and detailed firsthand account of Syrian Christian weddings in Greater Syria. … Continued

Painting on the Wall- A Poem by Mahmoud Darwish

By: Luke McMahan / Arab America Contributing Writer Luke McMahan has been a student of Arabic for two and a half years, and throughout this time, he has been told how wonderful Arabic poetry is. However, because not many translations exist online of anything but the most famous poems, he had to wait to progress … Continued

Tariq Ibn Ziyad: The Story of the Muslim Conquest of Andalusia

By Mehdi El Merini / Arab America Contributing Writer In the early 8th century, the Iberian Peninsula was on the brink of monumental change. The catalyst for this transformation was Tariq ibn Ziyad, a formidable Berber general whose actions led to the beginning of the Muslim conquest of Andalusia. This conquest would forever alter the … Continued

299 Results (Page 5 of 25)