BY: Andrew Hansen/Contributing Writer In October of 2015, President Barack Obama pledged in front of the American public to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees into the U.S. in response to the growing refugee crisis. After his announcement, many criticized that this number was far below the actual number that America is able to host with its … Continued
Trump could never be an Arab because of his ongoing and past behaviors. He could learn a few lessons from us on how to be a little more Arab-like. It might be better for his health, improve his manners, and make him a better person overall. Here’s a list of ten reasons why Trump doesn’t … Continued
BY: Ezzah Syed/Contributing Writer This summer, for the first time in history, a team of refugees will compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The name of the team will be Team Refugee Olympic Athletes (ROA) and will consist of two judokas from the Democratic Republic of Congo, two swimmers from … Continued
BY: Julia Kassem/Contributing Writer Voters who opted for Britain to leave the European Union Thursday have, in other words, voted for a British Exit, or “Brexit.” Those that opted to leave the European Union won with 51.9% of the vote, over the 48.1% that voted to remain. Brexiters cited their motivations for an exit present … Continued
By Sue Ellen
Revere Journal
Saturday night more than 100 people broke bread with each other at a special Interfaith Iftar dinner held at the Beachmont School, sponsored by the local Moroccan American of Revere community. Attendees took the time to learn about each other’s faith and culture.
Greeted with the sounds of The Noor Ensemble, a mixture of cultures and sounds, guests, including local city councillors, clergy, school committee members, enjoyed the group before dinner.
The night started with the recitation of verses from the holy Quran by Imam Soufyan. This was followed by a call to prayer and dinner.
Currently, Muslims are in the middle of Ramadan, when they do not eat or drink during the day for a month. After the sun sets the faithful have an Iftar meal, which breaks the days fast. The meal consists of a soup, hard-boiled egg, marinated chicken, rice, vegetables and salad. There is also a plate of sweets consisting of shabakiya, Moroccan pancakes, Msamen and dates.
Moroccan-born Omar Boukili, the mayor’s aide, spoke about what it has meant for him to become an American. He came to the United States 14 years ago.
“Fear has been used to stir and stoke people to hate,” Boukili said. “This city has been built by people from around the world.”
In the past he worked as a dishwasher and busser while going to school.
“It warms my heart to see everyone say hello to each other,” Boukili said. “Get out and embrace those who don’t know us.”
He added that the attack in Orlando by a Muslim man couldn’t be something the community is held responsible for.
“Our entire community should not be held responsible for the actions of ISIS or any other terrorist group,” he said.
Mayor Brian Arrigo, whose wife wore a traditional Moroccan Kaftan dress, said we, as a community did not come here by accident. First it was the Pilgrims coming to flee religious persecution, then the Irish, Germans, Italians, Dominicans, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Brazilians, El Salvador and now Moroccans.
“The will to succeed is woven into our DNA,” Arrigo said. “We choose to be part of the story of Revere.”
He added that there is no room for willful ignorance.
“It’s fantastic to be invited to this,” said Rabbi Talya Weisbard Shalem, of Temple B’Nai Israel in Beachmont. “It’s a great way to introduce the community and break bread together.”
Revere resident and community organizer, Rachid Mouhabir, who helped organize the dinner, was pleased with the turnout. Also contributing were some local Arab and Moroccan businesses: Casablanca House of Pastry, the Good Diner, Tibari Travels, Omar Financial Services, Abeer & Associates Investment Group, and HHH Financial Solution.
Source: www.reverejournal.com
Mohamed Khairullah, Mayor of Prospect Park, New Jersey, owes his sense of community and welcoming foreigners into his town to his Muslim heritage, a sentiment shared by all Muslims in Prospect Park. As a man who has lived both in the United States and Syria, Mayor Khairullah acknowledges the role of all Americans, Muslims and … Continued
Imagine being a parent explaining to their children what the sounds of bombs are. “When the shelling became heavier, I would tell them it was fireworks, but I could not lie any longer,” one mother says in the video. The only voices we seem to hear in the U.S. are the ones that invoke fear … Continued
BY: Kristina Perry WASHINGTON, DC: These are trying times for the United States as xenophobia threatens the underlying narrative of this nation of immigrants. Throughout the 2016 campaign trail, the stump speeches of some presidential candidates have been sprinkled with references to the assumed threats posed by refugees, religious groups, and all the usual rigmarole. In … Continued
With all the anti-Arab bashing we see in the news every week, Arab America is determined to expose those who discriminate against our community. We will recognize those who vilify the positive influence and contributions Arabs have made to the fabric of American society. And we will use hummus as our weapon. By naming those … Continued
BY: Kristina Perry/Contributing Writer WASHINGTON, DC: Every year, the world observes June as World Refugee Month, with June 20th marking international events raising awareness for refugees hosted by the United Nations Refugee Agency. This year, World Refugee Month coincides with Ramadan, and the presumptive end of the presidential primaries. As the nation witnesses its closest … Continued
BY: Tamara Wong Azaiez/ Contributing Writer The world is in shock at today’s passing of British Labour MP Jo Cox. Cox had just come out of a consistency meeting when a man appeared out of nowhere, stabbed her and then shot her. Local witnesses also noted that he yelled “Britain First!” when shooting her. “Britain … Continued
BY: ANDREW HANSEN/ Contributing Writer On Monday, the Brookings Institute hosted a panel discussion regarding the most recent polling of American attitudes toward refugees coming from the Arab world. The speakers of the event were esteemed experts on research pertaining to public attitudes on the greater Middle East area, including: William McCants, Director of Middle … Continued
140 Results (Page 11 of 12)
Loading ...