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Arts/Entertainment

“You Find Each Other”: 40 Minutes with William Safi

By: Layan Srour / Arab America Contributing Writer Translated by Layan Srour How did you first get into music? When I was around ten years old, my brother brought home an accordion. I guess he gave up on that hobby, so I started playing it, and I fell in love with it. I learned everything … Continued

Streaming the Arab World

By: Fayzeh Abou Ardat / Arab America Contributing Writer Netflix has altered the entertainment scene in the Arab East in recent years. Arab audiences are now enjoying original regional content, which was previously dominated by local dramas and Hollywood-dubbed movies. Filmmakers now have more creative flexibility and international recognition thanks to the explosion of Arabic-language … Continued

Refugee Voices Through Art

By: Fayzeh Abou Ardat / Arab America Contributing Writer Arab refugees have survived wars, occupations, and forced migrations that have displaced millions of people. Beyond the numbers and the headlines, refugees have experiences that are frequently disregarded or silenced. Art has emerged as one of the most effective means for displaced Arabs to convey their … Continued

Pathbreakers of Arab America—Heather Raffo

This is the ninetieth in Arab America’s series on American pathbreakers of Arab descent. The series features personalities from various fields, including entertainment, business, sports, science, the arts, academia, journalism, and politics. Contributing writer, John Mason, highlights our ninetieth pathbreaker, Heather Raffo, an American born to mixed Iraqi American parents. She is an eminent playwright who addresses issues as sensitive as Iraqi women affected by war and repression; an American Marine deeply affected by war in Falluja; and her two countries, Iraq and the U.S., both facing serious issues of internal division.

Pathbreakers of Arab America—Simon Shaheen

This is the eighty-ninth in Arab America’s series on American pathbreakers of Arab descent. The series features personalities from various fields, including entertainment, business, sports, science, the arts, academia, journalism, and politics. John Mason, contributing writer, highlights our eighty-ninth pathbreaker, Simon Shaheen, Palestinian-born orchestra leader who has become one of Arabic music’s most prominent ambassador and most active educators in the United States.

“Art is a Universal Language”: 40 Minutes with Mona Miari

By: Layan Srour / Arab America Contributing Writer Mona’s musical journey is deeply rooted in heritage, resistance, and a relentless drive to push artistic boundaries. An internationally renowned Palestinian-American artist, singer, and songwriter, she is known for her pioneering projects and dedication to elevating Arabic music on the world stage. Raised between Chicago and Palestine … Continued

“Rebel with Your Art”: 40 Minutes with Nano Raies

By: Layan Srour / Arab America Contributing Writer Nano Raies’s musical path is rooted in perseverance, self-discovery, and breaking boundaries. Hailing from Syria, Nano’s artistry fuses traditional Arabic sounds with bold modern influences. Her journey began in a home filled with the music of both Western and Eastern masters, inspiring a deep connection to her … Continued

“Music Connects People to Identity”: 40 Minutes with Layth Sidiq

By: Layan Srour / Arab America Contributing Writer Layth Sidiq is a Grammy-nominated violinist, composer, educator, and the artistic director of the New York Arab Orchestra. Born in Iraq and raised in Jordan, in a musical household that welcomed artists from across the world, he began his violin studies at the age of four. Trained … Continued

What Disney’s New Resort Means for Tourism in the Gulf

By: Ramsey Zeidan/Arab America Contributing Writer In a recent press release from The Walt Disney Company and Miral, the United Arab Emirates based company that develops popular cultural tourist attractions, Disney has announced plans for a landmark theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be Disney’s seventh global resort, as well … Continued

“Lead with Your Arabness”: 40 Minutes with Roula David

By: Layan Srour / Arab America Contributing Writer Roula David is a creative force in Detroit’s music and nightlife scene, known for her visionary leadership at Spot Lite and UFO Factory. Growing up between Arab and American cultures, she developed a deep, lifelong connection to music that spans hip-hop, house, soul, and jazz. Roula’s journey … Continued

“Tuning into My Heritage”: 40 Minutes with Zekkereya El-magharbel

By: Layan Srour / Arab America Contributing Writer Zekkereya El-magharbel is a musician, designer, theorist, composer, and educator, originally from Los Angeles, California, and now based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Raised in an Egyptian household, Zekkereya’s work seamlessly blends diverse cultural influences, drawing from both their heritage and the broader musical world. Zekkereya’s journey reflects … Continued

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