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Facts about Arabs and the Arab World
Who is an Arab?
"Arab" is a cultural and linguistic term. It refers to those who speak Arabic as their first language. Arabs are united by culture and by history. Arabs are not a race. Some have blue eyes and red hair; others are dark skinned; many are somewhere in between. Most Arabs are Muslims but there are also millions of Christian Arabs and thousands of Jewish Arabs, just as there are Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Americans.
What is the Arab World?
The Arab World consists of 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Iran and Turkey are not Arab countries and their primary languages are Farsi and Turkish respectively. Arab countries have a rich diversity of ethnic, linguistic, and religious communities. These include Kurds, Armenians, Berbers and others. There are over 300 million Arabs. To see maps of the region click here.
What is the Muslim World?
There are an estimated 1.2 billion Muslims in the world. The Organization of Islamic Countries has 55 member states. The ten countries with the largest Muslim population are: Indonesia (170.3 million), Pakistan (136 million), Bangladesh (106 million), India (103 million), Turkey (62.4 million), Iran (60.7 million), Egypt (53.7 million), Nigeria (47.7 million) and China (37.1 million). Of these countries only Egypt is an Arab country. Most Arabs are Muslims, but most Muslims are not Arabs.
Who is a Muslim?
A Muslim is a follower of Islam. (See the separate ADC information sheet on Islam.)
What is the Middle East?
The Middle East is a loose term, not always used to describe the same territory. It usually includes the Arab countries from Egypt east to the Persian Gulf, plus Israel and Iran. Turkey is sometimes considered part of the Middle East, sometimes part of Europe. Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh are usually described as South Asia or part of the Indian Subcontinent- while Afghanistan is considered part of Central Asia.
Who are Arab Americans?
Arab Americans are Americans of Arab descent. There are Americans with roots in each Arab country, but most originate from Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. There are also substantial communities from Egypt, Yemen and Iraq. The first immigrants arrived in the late 19th century. A second wave of immigration started after World War II, and still continues. The largest communities of Arab Americans live in the Detroit-Dearborn area. To view a map of the distribution of Arab Americans click here.
Who are some famous Arab Americans?
Some of the more familiar ones include:
Paula Abdul -- Singer/dancer
Spencer Abraham -- U.S. Secretary of Energy
Elias Corey -- 1960 Nobel Prize Winner
Shannon Elizabeth -- Actress in "American Pie"
Doug Flutie -- 1984 Heisman Trophy Winner
Jeff George -- Football player
Dr. Michael De Bakey -- Pioneer heart surgeon
George Mitchell -- Former Senate Majority Leader
Danny & Marlo Thomas -- Actors
John Sununu -- Former White House Chief of Staff
Helen Thomas -- Former Dean of White House Press Corps
Bobby Rahal -- Indy 500 Race Car Champion
Current Congressmen -- Darrel Isa and Nick Rahal
Casey Kasem ?- Radio personality
Lucie Salhany -- First woman to head a TV Network (FOX)
Jaime Farr -- Actor from M*A*S*H
Kathy Najimy -- Award winning actress
Ralph Nader -- Consumer advocate
Christa McAuliffe -- Teacher & space shuttle astronaut
Joseph Abboud -- Designer
F. Murray Abraham -- Oscar Winning Actor
Michael Nouri -- Actor in Flashdance
Recent Village Updates
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has added a new journal- Latest NEWS -
~On 6 Jan 2010, the convoy arrived to its final destination: Gaza.
(A) Viva Palestina Aid Convoy BROKE Gaza siege. www.youtube.com
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The convoy is heading to SYRIA and WILL CROSS its territory to REACH Gaza! www.youtube.com
~ Update on 30 Dec 2009 www.youtube.com
IA they should be able to reach Gaza on 03 or 04 Jan 2010.
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Viva Palestina's convoys departed from London on December 6, then passing through Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, and now in Jordan, awaiting the permission of the Egyptian authorities to let them in Sinai then to Al-Arish and Gaza.
IslamOnline.net (IOL) had this interview with Respect MP George Galloway about the campaign and the possible scenarios it may face, especially as Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs insists that it will not allow Galloway's convoy to enter Egypt through Jordan's port of Aqaba, 4 hours away from Gaza, and that it is only allowed in through the Mediterranean port of El-Arish, nearly a two-day journey.
Full Interview with MP Galloway on 29 Dec 2009 www.islamonline.net
Viva Palestina Convoy Blocked from Entering Egypt www.youtube.com
~ Interview (22March09) with Yvonne Ridley - Video www.youtube.com
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates
Just a year after the global downturn derailed Dubai's explosive growth, the city is now so swamped in debt.
VIDEOS
~ V1 - Dubai debt crisis/ the party is over www.youtube.com
~ V2 - Dubai disaster www.youtube.com
The Dark Side of Dubai
The following report has been written by Johann Hari. It encompasses 10 parts.
1. An adult Disneyland
2. Tumble Weed
3. Hidden in plain view
4. Mauled by the Maul
5. The Dunkin Donuts dissidents
6. Dubai pride
7. The Lifestyle
8. The End of the World
9. Taking on the Desert
10. Fake plastic trees
Source: www.independent.co.uk
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has added a new journalOur Global Gazans Charity Event takes place in London, on Sunday 22nd February from 6.00pm - 9.30pm, in aid of the victims of the Gaza crisis.
It will be held in Central London (W1) near Edgware Road. It is ?15 for a ticket which includes a dinner and entertainment. There will also be well-known speakers and the chance to socialise and network with like-minded individuals who all believe in this cause.
You can find out more at amalaction.com where you can purchase your ticket, make a donation, and view our video.
THE PRICE OF ONE TICKET WILL PROVIDE MEDICAL SUPPLIES, BLANKETS, FOOD, AND SHELTER FOR SO MANY CHILDREN WHO ARE SUFFERING. You will also be helping us increase awareness about Palestine and help us stand up for the rights of Palestinians.
Confirmed speakers include Lauren Booth, Ken O' Keefe (journalist/ activists, Aloha Palestine), Daniel Machover (British-Israeli human rights lawyer), Naji Tamimi (broadcaster), Betty Hunter (Palestine Solidarity Campaign), and Renee Bowyer (Free Gaza Movement)
With performances by Lowkey MC and special guests
Plus an auction including signed Amir Khan boxing gloves, a signed Pakistan cricket team shirt and art work
And special broadcast messages on the night by Yvonne Ridley (activist) and Azzam Tamimi (Palestinian academic)
Freely traded Palestinian goods by Zaytoun will also be on sale.
All proceeds from this event will go straight to these charities and organisations: Aloha Palestine, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Free Gaza Movement. We cannot forget about our Muslim brothers and sisters suffering in the Occupied Palestinian Territories - so this is your chance to help.
Amal Action amalaction.com
For queries, or to reserve a ticket email [email protected]
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The Palestinian issue is a representation of the eternal fight between the OPPRESSED and the OPPRESSOR, between the OCCUPIED and the OCCUPIER. Gaza war crime is one of a series of events in the long process of fighting for rights and is a landmark on the atrocities committed by the Israeli occupation.
Of course not only religious values are to be called in this situation; rather, human values, reason, passion and emotion should all be amassed for a situation like this.
What religious values can offer to people? They can offer a lot to them because whether they like it or not, people give space to the voice of religion. It's our religious sense that builds in us the conscience; the LOVE for Good and the Hate for Evil.
It's normally religion that defines what value is. It's religion that defines what is good and what is bad. People cannot go on their own to find out these basic concepts; although they can diversify them and develop their conception. Yet, the core is still a religious product, simply because religion is something that is normally linked with the Divine, God the Most High, in whatever name people do call Him. Because people cannot define value and cannot draw a line between value and non-value, they need divine guidance to place a manual for them so that they do not fall into the abyss of Injustice and Chaos.
When it comes to the issue of Gaza and what is happening there, there is a plethora of values which Islam can offer in this respect. Topping the list is JUSTICE, which I believe is the most needed value of our time and all times. Justice is the core value that summarizes the whole crisis and solves it. In Palestine, as is the case in many other places, what is causing disruption and atrocities is the ABSCENCE OF JUSTICE. When man dares do wrong to his fellow man, occupy his land, take his house and claim that it is his and kill his family and children, what face of humanity can we imagine if not the face of Injustice and Evil?
World Leaders must Call for Justice before anything else. Simply because calmness and serenity are merely the reflection and representation of justice.
Everyone is speaking about the present situation while the present is so much linked with the past. Justice comes first and it has to be called to play its role and this is one of the most important things Islam can offer, simply because God is Just.
On what basis can people react? We have to differentiate between the people inside: the Gazaans and the people outside Palestine, the residents/citizens of western countries, us for ie. The people inside have the right to react on the basis of self-defense to restore their long lost rights. This must be considered as a small part in the bigger process of putting justice in place. Because part of justice is to stop the Oppressor from his Oppression, for many reasons including his being your brother in humanity. Yet, the people outside, us for ie have many other bases, venues and ways to react with the same Aim of Restoring Justice.
----- Ways to React ----------
1. With awareness and raising the awareness about what is happening in Gaza. People have to speak about the history of the injustices that were and are being committed in Palestine. They should also amass the whole world against these injustices. People can print flyers and distribute them everywhere or They can watch documentaries about the history of the problem to help them understand the deep roots of the problem. Muslims can speak to their non-Muslim friends. They should unveil the Israeli atrocities and massacres. They would let people know the truth and create a conter-media campaign. People can donate to organizations that work for Palestinian aid. There are many of them everywhere in the word.
2. Linking ourselves with Allah and seeking His guidance and qualifying ourselves to deserve His victory is one main value that we need. When people claim the victory is late, I say they are making it late because they are not up to it. People outside Palestine can sponsor an orphan, help a family in need or at least sponsor a project that can generate money to a Palestinian family, attend Palestinian fairs, handycraft exhibitions or pay yearly education fees for an orphan. The reward is much and the least money can definitely be of value.
One important thing has also to be taken into consideration is to dispatch religion from what is happening in the name of religion. Those atrocities being committed in the name of religion should be declared to have no connection whatsoever with religion.
In front of the Israeli rabbis these atrocities are justified so we should show that religion will never command a man to shed the blood of his fellow man. By highlighting these facts, we will be putting a lot of Aspects of Justice in place and Helping People Stand Against Oppression.
3. Finally, I think there is a greater need as well to make religion appealing to people and this is one of the most important values that we need to highlight.
May Allah help the people of Palestine out of their plight and guide us all. Ameen.
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has added a new journalWomen in Saudi Arabia should be allowed more basic freedoms, according to a UN anti-discrimination committee.
It says the practice of needing a man's permission to marry, work, travel or be educated should end.
news.bbc.co.uk
Saudi women 'kept in childhood'
Saudi women are being kept in perpetual childhood so male relatives can exercise "guardianship" over them, the Human Rights Watch group has said.
news.bbc.co.uk