Joseph Haiek Passes, Publisher of the Arab American Almanac and Community Activist
Joseph R. Haiek, 85, a pioneer in the Arab American community who established the first Arab American Almanac in the U.S., passed away on January 25, 2018.
His daughter, Caterina Haiek announced his passing, “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father Joseph Rizek Haiek this morning, in Cairo, Egypt. Rest In Peace Dad. We love you and are going to miss you very much.”
According to his daughter, Haiek developed pneumonia during the last several days of a trip to Egypt where he celebrated his 85th birthday in December and received a prestigious award from the Association of Egyptian American Scholars.
Haiek was born in 1932 in Jerusalem, Palestine and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1967. He was the publisher and founder of The News Circle Publishing House in Los Angeles in 1972, covering news, views and culture on Arab Americans as well the Arab World. In addition to the Arab American Almanac, he was the publisher of the Arab American Affairs Magazine (The News Circle) and the founder of the Arab American Press Guild and the Arab American Historical Foundation.
“He leaves a huge footprint which will be remembered in the history of the Arab American community,” said Warren David, president of Arab America, “As a young activist, I was inspired by his publications, most notably the Arab American Almanac which is a benchmark publication documenting Arab American history and culture.” he went on the say, “His spirit will live eternally to all who promote the Arab American identity.”
In May of 2011, Haiek was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor at Ellis Island, NY. for his selfless activism in preserving the Arab American culture and identity for over 45 years.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be held in Los Angeles in the next two weeks. Details will be available at www.ArabAmericanHistory.org
Compiled by Arab America