Arab Americans

Arab and Muslim voters helped deliver Michigan to Trump. They're not all happy so far

4:16am March 04, 2025

by Sarah McCammon

Arab and Muslim voters in Michigan, a reliably Democratic voting bloc, backed a Republican for president for the first time in 2024. Now, some are expressing concern about President Trump's rhetoric.

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Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud is increasing police presence in the city in response to reports of increased Islamophobic rhetoric after a Wall Street Journal opinion piece.

Michigan city ramps up security after 'WSJ' op-ed calls it 'America's jihad capital'

11:44am February 06, 2024

by Diba Mohtasham

The fallout from a Wall Street Journal op-ed has led the Mayor of Dearborn, Mich., to increase police presence. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, there's been an uptick in hate crimes.

Biden's campaign manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez speaks on Nov. 7, 2023. Chávez Rodriguez was in Michigan on Friday where some Arab American leaders declined to meet her because of the Gaza conflict.

Politics & Government

In Michigan, some Arab American leaders declined to meet Biden's campaign manager

7:32pm January 26, 2024

by Asma Khalid

The Arab American community is angry that Biden has not called for a ceasefire in Gaza despite a rising civilian death toll. Some leaders said no to meeting his campaign manager.

A large, pro-Palestinian protest in downtown Detroit called for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war as protesters decried President Biden's response.

In Michigan, where every vote counts, Arab Americans are turning away from Biden

12:48pm November 17, 2023

The community turned out overwhelmingly for Joe Biden, helping him win the swing state. But many now feel betrayed by the president's response to the Israel-Hamas war and it could cost him in 2024.

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Dark Little Whispers leans on Hashem's dark humor and dry sarcasm to land its strongest punchlines.

Arts

Arab American comic Dina Hashem has a debut special — but the timing is 'tricky'

6:06pm November 10, 2023

by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

Hashem, who writes for The Daily Show, has a standup special called Dark Little Whispers debuting on Amazon Prime Video. It coincides with a heartbreaking political and humanitarian crisis.

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Federal government standards require the U.S. census to count people with roots in the Middle East or North Africa as white. But a new study finds many people of MENA descent do not see themselves as white, and neither do many white people.

National

The U.S. census sees Middle Eastern and North African people as white. Many don't

9:56am February 17, 2022

by Hansi Lo Wang

People with Middle Eastern or North African roots must be counted as white in the federal government's data. But a study finds many do not see themselves as white, and neither do many white people.

Dr. Hassan Bencheqroun, an interventional pulmonary and critical care physician, has seen firsthand the impact of COVID-19 on Arab communities in the San Diego area.

Trying To Assess COVID's Impact On Arab-American Communities Is Complicated

7:00am April 11, 2021

by Hadia Bakkar

It's hard to track the rate of COVID-19 infections among Arab Americans, who are often counted as white on survey forms without a separate checkbox for Middle Eastern or North African origins.

Kareem Hawari poses in a "Designate Little Arabia" face mask.

National

'We're Here, We Deserve Dignity': Arab Americans Advocate For Little Arabia In Calif.

7:45am March 07, 2021

by Hadia Bakkar

Members of the community in Anaheim have been advocating for an official designation of the vibrant district for more than a decade. But the city council has been reluctant to support the efforts.

Adam Hashem and Ali Alaoieh greet customers as they enter Hashem's Market & Roaster, a family-owned business specializing in fresh, imported spices and traditional Turkish coffee.

National

In Michigan, Museum Food Tours Offer Tastes Of Arab Culture

8:00am August 23, 2017

by Martina Guzman

Yalla! Eat walking tours take people into the Arab-American community, where they can talk with business owners about their personal stories and the products they sell.