Saif al-Arab
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The 3.5 million big Arab-American community is not only the biggest Muslim community in the US but also the biggest community from the MENA region. Aside from being one of the biggest non-European communities.
It boots people such as Michel Debakey (Dabaghi), John Abiziad, Kahlil Gibran, Steve Jobs, Ralph Nader, Donna Shalala, Edward Said, Rima Fakih, DJ Khaled, Tony Shalhoub, Elias James Corey (Khoury), Ahmed Zewail, Foruk el-Baz and countless of others.
Arab American - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of Arab Americans - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
@Falcon29 @Ahmed Jo @azzo @XenoEnsi-14 @Desertfalcon etc.
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We are a diverse community of immigrants and the descendants of immigrants, three and one-half million strong, who have come from throughout the Arab world. We are Syrians, Lebanese, Egyptians, Palestinians, Iraqis, Jordanians, and Yemenis – from North Africa to Southwest Asia. We are Christians and Muslims.
Arab Americans’ history illustrates how the immigrant experience has shaped the United States. We are part of the American success story, showing what can be achieved when an ethnic constituency becomes fully engaged in the political and economic life of this country.
Since the first wave of immigrants arrived here more than century ago, Arab Americans have assimilated into mainstream U.S. life. We share the same economic and social diversity as all Americans, but we also share treasures brought with us from our native lands – a rich heritage and culture, a strong extended family network, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a drive for excellence.
Today, Arab Americans are forging a new path in American politics, bringing our spirit, our talents, and our commitment to a forum that will shape not just our nation but our world for centuries to come. We help lead the discussion on civil and political rights in America, from the perspective of a constituency that cherishes these hallmarks of American freedom, and believes it is our duty to safeguard them for ourselves, for our nation, and for those who come after us.
The above is an excerpt from “Arab Americans: A Century of Civic and Cultural Achievement”
Find out more about Arab Americans through one of our many programs:
Together We Came
AAI's "Together We Came" highlights outstanding Arab American immigrants and their descendants who have had an indelible impact on the vibrancy of our nation. From creating the first artificial heart to sending the first shuttle into space, the Arab American community has been an important part of American growth and success. The portraits of Arab Americans shared here will remind us that the United States is a nation defined by our diversity and the contributions of countless immigrants from all over the world.
#IAmArabAmerican
While we are proud to highlight our community's famous faces and history-making stories, our #IAmArabAmerican project is a look at everyday Arab Americans who are making a difference in their chosen fields.
Arab Americans' accomplishments are as diverse as our community itself. Arab Americans have distinguished themselves in science and medicine, academia and sports, the arts and politics—in every aspect of American life. And it's all profiled here, in Arab Americans: Making a Difference.
When radio legend Casey Kasem first asked AAI to publish his landmark brochure, we jumped at the chance. Since then, the number of Arab Americans profiled has grown dramatically—it's more than your Dad's Top 40! And it has become AAI's most popular publication. Take a quick peek—or a long stroll—through the electronic version, or send us an e-mail to request a print copy. It’s a fabulous resource for teachers, students, and parents—and any Arab American who’d like to beam with pride for a few days.
Do you think you can rock like Frank Zappa? Score a touchdown like Doug Flutie? If you want to be featured here one day, get your start with the organization that makes a difference for all Arab Americans. Click here to find out more about AAI’s Internship Program.
Military Service
You talk about courage … How about America’s and the world’s first jet ace? He was the Korean War hero, U.S. Air Force Col. James Jabara. In World War II, Army officers like Maj. Gen. Fred Safay fought alongside Gen. Patton, and Brig. Gen. Elias Stevens served on Gen. Eisenhower’s staff.
And in 1944, one of our Navy’s ships, the destroyer escort USS Naifeh, was named in honor of an Arab American hero, Navy Lt. Alfred Naifeh of Oklahoma. Retired Brigadier General James J. David served as Company Commander of the famous 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. More recently, West Point graduate and retiredfour-star Gen. George Joulwan was the NATO Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, where he commanded both European and U.S. troops. Brig. Gen. William J. Jabour is the Director of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Fighter and Bomber programs in charge of the F-22 System Program Office (SPO). General John Abizaid is the former head of U.S. Central Command in Iraq.
Politics
Some of us work in our nation’s capital, like veteran Congressmen Nick Joe Rahall II (West Virginia), Ray LaHood (Illinois), Charles Boustany (Louisiana), Darrell Issa (California), Senator John E. Sununu (New Hampshire) and former Congressman and Governor of Maine, John Baldacci.
Two Arab Americans were appointed to President George W. Bush’s first term Cabinet: former Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., who is now the Governor of Indiana and former U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham. The first Arab American ever appointed to a Cabinet secretary post was DonnaShalala, the nation’s longest serving Secretary of Health and HumanServices, and now president of the University of Miami. Former Governorof New Hampshire John H. Sununu became the White House Chief of Staff under Pres. George Bush, Sr., and later a political commentator onCNN.
America’s longest-serving White House Chief of Protocol, serving seven-and-a-half years under President Reagan, was Ambassador Selwa Roosevelt. Thomas Nassif and Edward Gabriel both served as U.S. Ambassador to Morocco. Our Ambassador to Syria was Theodore Kattouf, and Marcelle Wahba was Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. The late ambassador Philip C. Habib served as Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Feisty Helen Thomas, who served for 57 years as a correspondent for United Press International and was dean of the White House press corps, is a Hearst newspaper syndicated columnist. In a class by himself, the late, warm-hearted Robert George portrayed Santa Claus year-round for nearly 50 years and was a Presidential Santa at the White House through seven administrations.
Others who have served in high elected office are: former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who brokered a peace dealin Northern Ireland and led a peace commission to the Middle East; former U.S. Senators James Abourezk and James Abdnor, bothof South Dakota; and former Congressional members Pat Danner of Missouri, Mary Rose Oakar of Ohio, the late George Kasem of California, who was the first Arab American elected to the U.S. Congress, Abraham Kazen, Jr. of Texas, Toby Moffett of Connecticut, and Chris John of Lousiana. Victor Atiyeh wasthe popular governor of Oregon. And in San Diego, city clerk Charles Abdelnour pioneered the legislation to create the “all-mail ballot”which set a national precedent and earned him an international reputation in election law.
Sports
San Diego Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie, who threw the “miracle touchdown” pass for Boston College, won the Heisman Trophy in 1984. He previously played for several NFL teams and was a superstar in the Canadian Football League. There’s also NFL player Jeff George,who quarterbacked several NFL teams, and former NFL coach Rich Kotite. Don’t forget former Chicago Bears linebacker and NFL Hall ofFamer Bill George, or former Cleveland Brown Abe Gibran. Another NFL player is Drew Haddad of the Indianapolis Colts. The former owner of the Miami Dolphins was Joe Robbie.
UCLA’s fiery coach Jim Harrick took his team to the NCAA playoffs eight years in a row, winning the national championship in 1995. The late George Maloof, Sr. owned the NBA’s Houston Rockets; today his sons, Joe and Gavin Maloof, own the SacramentoKings.
Major League baseball player Joe Lahoud played with the Boston Red Sox and Sam Khalifa played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.And Fred Saigh once owned baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals.
In auto racing, Bobby Rahal won the Indy 500 in 1986, later becoming the all-time earnings champ among Indy car racers. The founder of the Professional Bowlers Association was the late Eddie Elias.In the ring, Petey Sarron won the world featherweight championship in 1936-1937. Zuhair “Steve” Mansour was weightlifting’s Grandmaster of the World in 1990. And a four-time U.S. National Chess Champion and Grandmaster is Seattle’s Yasser Seirawan.Women’s International Chess Master Jennifer Shahade won the 2002and 2004 U.S. Women’s Chess Championships. The late Dr. Elias Ghanem,former chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission and Las Vegas’own physician to the stars, once treated celebrities like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, and Paul Anka. In track and field, the world record holder for the marathon is Arab American Khalid Khannouchi.
Activists
Among America’s activists, can you think of two people who have saved more lives than America’s foremost consumer advocate and Green party presidential candidate Ralph Nader and the founder of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Candy Lightner. MADD is the largest crime victims’ assistance organization in the world, with more than 3 million members and supporters.
Back in 1960, Ralph Johns, an active participant in the civilrights movement, encouraged the famous Woolworth “sit-in” at a lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Business
The founder of an international, billion-dollar engineering firm, Jacobs Engineering Group, is the late Dr. Joseph Jacobs. A formerchemist with dozens of patents became Armand Hammer’s successor as chairman of the board, president, and chief executive officer of Occidental Petroleum — Dr. Ray Irani.
The late Najeeb Halaby, former head of the Federal Aviation Administration, was CEO of Pan-American Airlines. His daughter, Lisa, married King Hussein of Jordan and became the only Arab American to be queen of a foreign country, Queen Noor.
Jacques Nasser was formerly the president and CEO of Ford Motor Company. Richard Caleal created the “revolutionary” 1949 Ford car design, a design that some credit with saving the company. The chairman of the board of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is Samir G. Gibara. The late Stephen Yokich served five terms as vicepresident of the International United Auto Workers union, then became its president. Ned Mansour was formerly the president of Mattel, Inc., maker of Barbie dolls and other toys. The founder and president ofThomas Nelson Publishers, the largest world-wide distributor of the Bible, is Sam Moore. Syrian immigrant Ernest Hamwi createdthe first ice-cream cone at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and, a few years later, Lebanese immigrant Albert George founded Pennsylvania’s Joy Cone Company, the country’s largest ice-cream cone producer.
John Mack is Chairman of the Board and CEO of Morgan Stanley,one of America’s largest investment banking firms. Dr. Raymond Jallow is an internationally respected economic advisor to governments and institutions, lecturing in financial capitals around theworld. Youssef A. Nasr was the president and CEO of HSBC USA, a leading financial services organization and the third largest depositoryinstitution. William Hanna is the founding president and CEO of Cedars Bank, a wholly Arab American owned commercial bank headquartered in Los Angeles. The chairman of the board and CEO of Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. is Mohammed Abu-Ghazaleh and second generation Lebanese American Andrew Thomas is President and CEO of Heinekin USA.
Farouk Shamie is the CEO and founder of Farouk Systems USA, apremier hair and skin care company that introduced environmentally safeproducts for hairdressers. Lebanese-American Richard E. Rainwater built his reputation managing investments for Texas’ wealthy Bass family and earned millions for himself as a result. He recently set up a$120 million trust for Stanford and the University of South Carolina. Egyptian-born Texas billionaire Fayez Sarofim heads Fayez SarofimInvestments and manages the Houston Fine Arts Museum’s $300 million endowment.
George Shaheen is credited with founding Andersen Consulting,now called Accenture, and served as CEO and managing partner as part ofa 30-year career at the world’s biggest consulting firm. Roger Farahis president and chief operating officer of Polo Ralph Lauren and previously served as chairman of the board of Venator Group, Inc., the parent company of Footlocker. The “new economy” has its share of Arab American heroes as well: Simon Assad is the co-CEO of Heavy.com, amusic site that was nominated for a Webby, the Internet’s highest honor. One of America’s preeminent pollsters, keeping tabs on public opinion and other statistics John Zogby of Zogby International.
Paul Orfalea founded the world’s biggest international chain of copying service stores, Kinko’s; while the late Waleed Ali andhis brother Malik founded MPI, the world’s largest home-video distributor of documentaries. The Palms, a Maloof Casino Resort in Las Vegas, is operated by George Maloof, Jr. Entrepreneur Tony Ismail founded the Alamo Flag Company in Dallas and built it into the largest retailer of flags and related items in the U.S. today.
Law
The Texas lawyer who won the biggest business settlement in U.S. history, on behalf of Pennzoil ($10 billion dollars!), is one of this country’s most successful attorneys, Joseph D. Jamail. In the famous “zoot suit” trial of the 1940s, George Shibley defended unjustly accused Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles. In the 1990s, the late Edward Masry and Erin Brockovich filed a direct action lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric for polluting the drinking water of Hinkley, CA. Their efforts secured the largest toxic tort injury settlement in U.S. history, $333 million in damages, and was chronicled in the blockbuster film starring Julia Roberts and Albert Finney.
Entertainment
Canadian-born singer-songwriter Paul Anka became one of America’s first pop teen idols. The late ukelele-plucking, falsetto-singing Herbert Khaury became famous as “Tiny Tim.” And in the world of rock, there was the late, legendary Frank Zappa. On the West Coast, Dick Dale is the “King of the Surf Guitar.” Singer-dancer-choreographer Paula Abdul has had two number-one albums, six number-one singles, a Grammy award, and worldwide album sales exceeding 30 million records. And the first teenage singer ever tohave her first two singles both hit number one is Tiffany, born Renee Darwish. Pop star Shakira, of Colombian and Lebanese descent, has scored on the U.S. charts and is a multiple Grammy winner.
Speaking of music, three of America’s landmark music shows on radio were created by Arab Americans, Don Bustany and me — “American Top 40,” “American Top 20,”and “American Country Countdown.” On Broadway, playwright Fred Saidy wrote two classics, “Finian’s Rainbow” and “Bloomer Girl.” Opera prima donna Rosalind Elias hitthe high notes at the Met. And for avant-garde “Dancer of the Year” in 1992, the New York Times picked a 20-year Broadway veteran with the PaulTaylor Company — Elie Chaib. David Yazbek wrote the lyrics and score for “The Full Monty.”
Among TV directors, two Arab Americans have each helmed over 300 episodes for the networks. Asaad Kelada has done numerous series like “Family Ties” and episodes of “The Facts of Life,” “Dharma & Greg,”“Everybody Loves Raymond,” etc. After directing Broadway hits like“Sweet Charity,” “Mame,” and “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” John Bowab switched to TV and has directed episodes of the classic hit “The Cosby Show” as well as “My Wife & Kids” and “Life with Bonnie.”
The highest-rated episode in television history was the last episode of “M*A*S*H”? And who played the role of not-so-crazy Corporal Klinger for its entire 11-year run? A talented Arab American from Toledo, Ohio, Jamie Farr.
On NBC, “Saturday Night Live’s” bandleader for many years was guitarist G.E. Smith. (His family’s Lebanese name, Haddad, means blacksmith).
The best-known Lebanese in America was also the founder of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital — the late, great comedian and actor Danny Thomas. His son is a television and film producer and multi-Emmy winner for “The Golden Girls” and other TV shows —Tony Thomas.
Danny’s daughter, Emmy Award-winning Marlo Thomas, was the first actress ever to play a single, independent young woman in the TV series, “That Girl.” She currently appears on TV’s “Friends” as Rachel’smother and published a book, “The Right Words at the Right Time.”
The leading man who starred in the movies “Flashdance” and “Finding Forrester” was Michael Nouri, who also starred in TV’s “Love and War” sitcom. The box-office hits “Swingers”, “The Lost World: Jurassic Park”, and “The Wedding Crashers” starred Vince Vaughn, who has aLebanese grandparent.
Wendie Malick whose father is from Egypt, played Nina Van Horn on NBC’s hit show “Just Shoot Me.” and Tony Shalhoub, now starring in USA Network’s series “Monk,” and Amy Yasbeck appeared in thehit sitcom “Wings” — the first time two Arab Americans have been featured in the same TV series. Amy has also starred in films including Mel Brooks’ “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.” Tony has moved to the big screen as well, in both “Men in Black ” films, “The Siege,” “A Civil Action,” and “Thirteen Ghosts” (with fellow Arab Americans F. Murray Abraham and Shannon Elizabeth).
Crusty but soft-hearted Mel in TV’s “Alice” was portrayed by the late Vic Tayback. One of the co-stars of the series “Empty Nest” was Kristy McNichol. A star of TV’s “Head of the Class” was once picked by People Magazine as one of the “50 most beautiful people in theU.S.” — Khrystyne Haje.
Two other fine movie and television actors who also starred in popular TV dramas are James Stacy, who played the main role in “Laramie,” and Michael Ansara, who played Cochise in “Broken Arrow.”
An award-winning comic actress from San Diego, Kathy Najimy, played a fun-loving nun in the “Sister Act” films. She co-starred as Olive, a Lebanese-American, in NBC-TV’s “Veronica’s Closet” with KirstieAlley. Kathy is the voice of Peggy Hill on Fox-TV’s animated hit “King of the Hill.” Shannon Elizabeth of “American Pie,” “Scary Movie,”and “Tomcats” is of Lebanese and Syrian ancestry.
The former head of Carolco Pictures, handling the “Rocky,” “Rambo,” and “Terminator” films, was “billion-dollar producer” Mario Kassar.The producer of the epic “The Message: The Story of Islam” (a biographyof the Prophet Mohammed) and “Lion of the Desert,” not to mention all the blockbuster “Halloween” chillers, is the late Moustapha Akkad.
Lovely Salma Hayek, who is of Lebanese and Mexican descent, is another actress who has lit up the small screen (in cable TV’s movie “The Hunchback,” as the gypsy Esmeralda) and the big screen (Oscar-winning “Traffic,” “Desperado,” “Wild Wild West,” and “Frida,” about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo). The director of Jim Carrey’s loony comedy hits “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “Liar, Liar,” Eddie Murphy’s “The Nutty Professor,” and Robin Williams’ “Patch Adams” is Tom Shadyac. Together, these films have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.
The Pulitzer Prize for biography (“Jackson Pollack: An American Saga”) was shared by the author of three other national bestsellers: writer-publisher Steven Naifeh of South Carolina. The book was later adapted into an Academy award-winning film (best supporting actress).
Elie Samaha is chairman and owner of Franchise Pictures, which produced such films as “The Heist,” “Angel Eyes,” “The Whole Nine Yards,” and “Battlefield Earth.” Academy Award-winning film producer Ronald Schwary is best known for his work with “Tootsie,” “Meet Joe Black,” and “Scent of a Woman.” Jehane Noujaim co-directed and co-produced “Startup.com” and in 2004 directed “Control Room”.
One of show business’ legendary talent managers was the late George “Bullets” Durgom, who, through the years, managed Jackie Gleason, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Marilyn Monroe, to mention a few. Two of today’s top recording stars’ husband-managers are of Arab descent: Rene Angelil, discoverer and manager of wife Celine Dion, and Cuban-born Emilio Estefan, manager and producer of wife Gloria Estefan.
Emmy Award-winning cinematographer-director George S. Dibie is president of the International Photographers Guild. Fouad Saidwas the cinematographer who designed Cinemobile, the first customized van for filming on location, while working on the TV series “I Spy.” Forthis achievement, he received a Technical Academy Award in 1970.
Other Arab American Oscar winners include F. Murray Abraham, who won Best Actor for the movie “Amadeus.” Screenwriter and novelist William Peter Blatty won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Exorcist,” a huge box office hit based on his novel of the same name. Recipient of an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for“Thelma and Louise” and director of the “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” is Callie Khourie. The late composer Paul Jabara won an Oscar award for Best Song, Donna Summer’s ”Last Dance” from the movie “Thank God, It’s Friday.” Set decorator Emile Kuri won two Oscars for his splendid work on “The Heiress” and “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” He received a total of eight Academy Award nominations and later designed many exhibits at Disneyland.
Media
Diane Rehm is host and executive producer of “The Diane Rehm Show” on National Public Radio (NPR). George Noory’s talk show “Coast to Coast AM” can be heard on over 500 stations nationwide. The man who pioneered the concept of a radio programming consultant in 1958 is Mike Joseph, who’s helped organizations like ABC, CBS, and NBC, among others.
Turning to television, Lucie Salhany became the first woman to head a television network, as chair of Fox Broadcasting Co., then of United Paramount Network. Tammy Haddad, the creator of “Larry King Live,” is Executive Producer of “Buchanan & Press.” CNN senior editor and anchor Octavia E. Nasr has been named CNN’s first senior editor for Arab affairs. Hoda Kotb is a correspondent for NBC’s “Dateline” and Jim Avila, who is of Lebanese and Mexican descent, is a national correspondent for NBC News.
On the print side, the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting went to Washington Post correspondent Anthony Shadid while the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting went to the Toledo Blade’s Michael Sallah.
Education
The late Edward Said was a Columbia professor and well-known literary and social critic, as well as a respected music reviewer, and wrote a column appearing in “The Nation.” Professor Said authored more than a dozen volumes on everything from the Middle East to English literature. Jack Shaheen, emeritus professor of mass communications at Southern Illinois University and author of books like “The TV Arab” and “Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People,” has also been CBS News’ consultant for the Middle East. David Adamany was the longest-serving president of Wayne State University in Detroit and currently serves as Temple University’s president.
For an inspiring success story, try that of writer-lecturer on business and success, Nido Qubein. When he came to the United States as a teenager, he could barely speak English. He went on to become president of the National Speakers’ Association and the youngest member inducted into the International Speakers’ Hall of Fame.
Fashion
The prestigious CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award for 1989 and 1990 went to Arab American Joseph Abboud of New York. He’s the only designer to win the award two years in a row. Supermodel YamilaDiaz-Rahi, who is of Lebanese and Spanish descent, landed the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover in 2002. She has also graced the covers of “Marie Claire,” “Elle,” “GQ,” and “Shape.”
One of America’s most sought-after hairstylists, Frederic Fekkai,boasts clients such as Claudia Schiffer, Kim Basinger, and Renee Zellweger.
Lebanese immigrant J.M. Haggar started Haggar Clothing Co. in1926. It became one of the world’s best-known brands in men’s apparel. The company is now a multi-million dollar enterprise that is headed by J.M.Haggar III, who serves as chairman and CEO. In addition, Farah Brothers manufactures men’s and women’s slacks, and Maloof Brothers manufactured Mod-O-Day women’s dresses. Norma Kamali,who designs everything from clothing and cosmetics to eyeglasses, is ofArab ancestry. Reem Acra is one of the world’s preeminent designers of bridal fashions and is known for her elaborate embroideries. Hair accessories and jewelry designer Colette Malouf began her rise to the top in 1987 with the “Malouf Poof.” She is known for her innovative use of exotic materials and her celebrity clientele.
Art & Literature
Arab Americans also have made significant contributions to the art world. America’s most honored woodworker, the late Sam Maloof wasan award-winning artisan whose creations have appeared in the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Vatican, and other renowned exhibit halls. Retired heart surgeon Dr. Hussam A. Fadhli is an award-winning sculptor whose work is displayed around the world, including the Bush Presidential Library. Prolific industrial designer Karim Rashid is among the major talents of 21st-century design with work in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
The first woman to design a major American art museum, Cincinnati’s $34 million Contemporary Art Center, is Iraqi-born Zaha Hadid. Artist Ghada Amer’s hand embroidered paintings were selected for the Whitney Biennial 2000 and the Venice Biennale in 1999. Naomi Shihab Nye is an award-winning poet and author of children’s literature.
Science and Medicine
One of America’s most famous pioneers is Houston surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey, who invented the heart pump. Today he’s chancellor of Baylor University’s College of Medicine. Algerian-American Dr. Elias Zerhouni is the director of the National Institutes of Health.
Two winners of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry are Arab American. Dr.Ahmed H. Zewail, a professor of physics at the California Instituteof Technology (CIT), is the 1999 winner. The 1990 winner is Harvard’s Dr.Elias Corey. Also at CIT is Dr. Charles Elachi, who was selected to head up the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. A pioneer in the field of electrical engineering, inventor Hassan Kamel Al-Sabbah worked for the General Electric Company (GE) in the 1920s and 30s. His research led to 52 patent applications, among them innovations in solar energy and television tubes.
Geologist George A. Doumani’s explorations helped prove the theory of continental drift; he has a mountain peak named after him in Antarctica. Another American geologist, Dr. Farouk el-Baz, born in Egypt, helped plan all the Apollo moon landings and later pioneered the use of space photography to study the Earth.
Finally, the courageous astronauts who lost their lives aboard the space shuttle Challenger represented several racial and ethnic groups: African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, Anglo-American, Jewish-American — and Arab American: schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe.
Famous Arab Americans - Arab American Institute
The AAI Foundation is proud to showcase the rich heritage and tremendous diversity found in Arab and Arab American arts and culture. From co-sponsoring film festivals to hosting concerts, we work with communities and artists to improve understanding and awareness of the varied music, literature, and arts found from Libya to Lebanon, from Mauritania to Morocco.
Arab, Muslim, and Arab American contemporary artists draw on the rich traditions of the Middle East to create new works in every field. We have been fortunate to work with a wide variety of artists from Arab American comedians and poets to Arab filmmakers and singers.
Below you will find articles about artists and performers, exhibits, and resources for both art lovers and artists. We encourage you to contact us at to share additional resources.
Arab and Islamic Arts: Museums and Galleries in the United States
Arts and Culture - Arab American Institute
The AAI Foundation also supports programs that educate Americans about the Arab and Muslim worlds and the Arab American experience. We are the nation’s leading resource for demographic information on our community, and serve as the Census Information Center for Arab Americans. In addition to compiling national statistics, AAIF offers demographic profiles of the 12 states with the highest concentration of Arab Americans.
Our publications are available online and in hard copy, and are used by schools, universities, and NGOs to enhance outreach and education on minority civic engagement, the immigrant experience, and Arab and Muslim cultures. Each year, AAIF updates our Roster of Arab Americans in Public Service which provides a comprehensive list of Arab Americans in elected and appointed office, from the local through federal levels. In 2012, we updated and re-issued Arab Americans: A Century of Civic and Cultural Achievement, and we are proud to continue to serve as the publisher for Casey Kasem’s landmark brochure: Arab Americans: Making a Difference. In our series Together We Came, AAI celebrates the month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month by featuring profiles of Arab American immigrants who have left an indelible mark on the history of the U.S.
The AAI Foundation is also committed to providing educational resources about the Arab and Muslim worlds and the Arab American experience. While many universities in the U.S. and abroad offer Middle East and Islamic Studies programs, some in the U.S. are beginning to provide Arab American Studies as well.
Below you will find links to many of these programs, as well as to resources published by the Arab American Institute that help define the Arab American experience—from the first waves of immigrants from Syria and Lebanon in the 1880s to the contributions of leaders like John Sununu, Farouk El Baz, Kahlil Gibran, Ray LaHood, Nick Rahall, Helen Thomas, and Edward Said.
We encourage you to explore these resources and to let us know about any new programs, publications, and other materials on our community.
Resources and Publications on Arab Americans
Arab and Middle East Studies Programs
Organizations and Institutions – Arab Americans
Arab American Institute
Represents the policy and community interests of Arab Americans throughout the United States and strives to promote Arab American participation in the US electoral system
Arab American National Museum
First museum in the world devoted to Arab American history and culture, and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
Includes cultural arts, employment and training, public health, and education
Café Arabica
Online Arab American community center. A place for Arab Americans to discuss issues of common interest and find out about resources and services available to Arabs and the Middle East
Middle East & Middle Eastern American Center
Based at the City University of New York (CUNY), MEMEAC's mission is to promote the study of the Middle East and Middle Eastern Americans
National Network for Arab American Communities
Committed to the development of Arab American community-based nonprofit organizations at the local level and collectively
Network of Arab-American Professionals
Non-partisan, volunteer-based organization dedicated to strengthening the Arab American community
Organizations and Institutions – Islam
Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding at Georgetown University
The Center’s mission is to improve relations between the Muslim world and the West and enhance understanding of Muslims in the West
Center for Islamic Studies at Youngstown State University
Devoted to the scholarly study of Islam and to educating the community about Islamic religion, history, and culture
Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy
A non-profit organization dedicated to studying Islamic and democratic political thought and merging them into a modern Islamic democratic discourse
Council on Islamic Education
A body of scholars that provides academic information about Islam
Islamic Society of North America
An association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities
Muslim Public Affairs Council
A public service agency working for the civil rights of American Muslims, for the integration of Islam into American pluralism, and for a positive, constructive relationship between American Muslims and their representatives
One Nation
A national philanthropic initiative that promotes pluralism and inclusion in America and seeks to help change misperceptions about American Muslims
Organizations and Institutions – Middle East
AMIDEAST
Promoting understanding and cooperation between Americans and the people of the Middle East and North Africa.
Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
At Georgetown University, the Center has established itself as the most comprehensive university-based Arab studies program in the US
Middle East Institute
Promotes knowledge of the Middle East in America and seeks to strengthen understanding of the United States by the peoples and governments of the region
Middle East Policy Council
Non-profit organization fostering public discussion of the political, economic, cultural, and security issues that affect the policies of the United States in the Middle
Middle East Studies Association
For scholars, students, and others interested in the study of the Middle East, North Africa and the Islamic world.
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
Non-profit organization that seeks to enhance American awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the Arab countries, the Mideast, and the Islamic world
Saudi Aramco Magazine
Distributed by Saudi Aramco to increase cross-cultural understanding with the Middle East
Education - Arab American Institute
For more information see:
Arab American Institute
It boots people such as Michel Debakey (Dabaghi), John Abiziad, Kahlil Gibran, Steve Jobs, Ralph Nader, Donna Shalala, Edward Said, Rima Fakih, DJ Khaled, Tony Shalhoub, Elias James Corey (Khoury), Ahmed Zewail, Foruk el-Baz and countless of others.
Arab American - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of Arab Americans - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
@Falcon29 @Ahmed Jo @azzo @XenoEnsi-14 @Desertfalcon etc.
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Who Are Arab Americans?
We are a diverse community of immigrants and the descendants of immigrants, three and one-half million strong, who have come from throughout the Arab world. We are Syrians, Lebanese, Egyptians, Palestinians, Iraqis, Jordanians, and Yemenis – from North Africa to Southwest Asia. We are Christians and Muslims.
Arab Americans’ history illustrates how the immigrant experience has shaped the United States. We are part of the American success story, showing what can be achieved when an ethnic constituency becomes fully engaged in the political and economic life of this country.
Since the first wave of immigrants arrived here more than century ago, Arab Americans have assimilated into mainstream U.S. life. We share the same economic and social diversity as all Americans, but we also share treasures brought with us from our native lands – a rich heritage and culture, a strong extended family network, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a drive for excellence.
Today, Arab Americans are forging a new path in American politics, bringing our spirit, our talents, and our commitment to a forum that will shape not just our nation but our world for centuries to come. We help lead the discussion on civil and political rights in America, from the perspective of a constituency that cherishes these hallmarks of American freedom, and believes it is our duty to safeguard them for ourselves, for our nation, and for those who come after us.
The above is an excerpt from “Arab Americans: A Century of Civic and Cultural Achievement”
Find out more about Arab Americans through one of our many programs:
Together We Came
AAI's "Together We Came" highlights outstanding Arab American immigrants and their descendants who have had an indelible impact on the vibrancy of our nation. From creating the first artificial heart to sending the first shuttle into space, the Arab American community has been an important part of American growth and success. The portraits of Arab Americans shared here will remind us that the United States is a nation defined by our diversity and the contributions of countless immigrants from all over the world.
#IAmArabAmerican
While we are proud to highlight our community's famous faces and history-making stories, our #IAmArabAmerican project is a look at everyday Arab Americans who are making a difference in their chosen fields.
Famous Arab Americans
Did you know?
Did you know?
What do Ray LaHood, Tony Shalhoub, and Selma Hayek have in common? They’re each Arab American. As are Sen. George Mitchell, Diane Rehm, Doug Flutie, and Frank Zappa. And the CEO of Del Monte Produce, the founder of Farouk Systems hair products, and the inventor of the heart pump.
Arab Americans' accomplishments are as diverse as our community itself. Arab Americans have distinguished themselves in science and medicine, academia and sports, the arts and politics—in every aspect of American life. And it's all profiled here, in Arab Americans: Making a Difference.
When radio legend Casey Kasem first asked AAI to publish his landmark brochure, we jumped at the chance. Since then, the number of Arab Americans profiled has grown dramatically—it's more than your Dad's Top 40! And it has become AAI's most popular publication. Take a quick peek—or a long stroll—through the electronic version, or send us an e-mail to request a print copy. It’s a fabulous resource for teachers, students, and parents—and any Arab American who’d like to beam with pride for a few days.
Do you think you can rock like Frank Zappa? Score a touchdown like Doug Flutie? If you want to be featured here one day, get your start with the organization that makes a difference for all Arab Americans. Click here to find out more about AAI’s Internship Program.
Military Service
You talk about courage … How about America’s and the world’s first jet ace? He was the Korean War hero, U.S. Air Force Col. James Jabara. In World War II, Army officers like Maj. Gen. Fred Safay fought alongside Gen. Patton, and Brig. Gen. Elias Stevens served on Gen. Eisenhower’s staff.
And in 1944, one of our Navy’s ships, the destroyer escort USS Naifeh, was named in honor of an Arab American hero, Navy Lt. Alfred Naifeh of Oklahoma. Retired Brigadier General James J. David served as Company Commander of the famous 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. More recently, West Point graduate and retiredfour-star Gen. George Joulwan was the NATO Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, where he commanded both European and U.S. troops. Brig. Gen. William J. Jabour is the Director of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Fighter and Bomber programs in charge of the F-22 System Program Office (SPO). General John Abizaid is the former head of U.S. Central Command in Iraq.
Politics
Some of us work in our nation’s capital, like veteran Congressmen Nick Joe Rahall II (West Virginia), Ray LaHood (Illinois), Charles Boustany (Louisiana), Darrell Issa (California), Senator John E. Sununu (New Hampshire) and former Congressman and Governor of Maine, John Baldacci.
Two Arab Americans were appointed to President George W. Bush’s first term Cabinet: former Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., who is now the Governor of Indiana and former U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham. The first Arab American ever appointed to a Cabinet secretary post was DonnaShalala, the nation’s longest serving Secretary of Health and HumanServices, and now president of the University of Miami. Former Governorof New Hampshire John H. Sununu became the White House Chief of Staff under Pres. George Bush, Sr., and later a political commentator onCNN.
America’s longest-serving White House Chief of Protocol, serving seven-and-a-half years under President Reagan, was Ambassador Selwa Roosevelt. Thomas Nassif and Edward Gabriel both served as U.S. Ambassador to Morocco. Our Ambassador to Syria was Theodore Kattouf, and Marcelle Wahba was Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. The late ambassador Philip C. Habib served as Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Feisty Helen Thomas, who served for 57 years as a correspondent for United Press International and was dean of the White House press corps, is a Hearst newspaper syndicated columnist. In a class by himself, the late, warm-hearted Robert George portrayed Santa Claus year-round for nearly 50 years and was a Presidential Santa at the White House through seven administrations.
Others who have served in high elected office are: former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who brokered a peace dealin Northern Ireland and led a peace commission to the Middle East; former U.S. Senators James Abourezk and James Abdnor, bothof South Dakota; and former Congressional members Pat Danner of Missouri, Mary Rose Oakar of Ohio, the late George Kasem of California, who was the first Arab American elected to the U.S. Congress, Abraham Kazen, Jr. of Texas, Toby Moffett of Connecticut, and Chris John of Lousiana. Victor Atiyeh wasthe popular governor of Oregon. And in San Diego, city clerk Charles Abdelnour pioneered the legislation to create the “all-mail ballot”which set a national precedent and earned him an international reputation in election law.
Sports
San Diego Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie, who threw the “miracle touchdown” pass for Boston College, won the Heisman Trophy in 1984. He previously played for several NFL teams and was a superstar in the Canadian Football League. There’s also NFL player Jeff George,who quarterbacked several NFL teams, and former NFL coach Rich Kotite. Don’t forget former Chicago Bears linebacker and NFL Hall ofFamer Bill George, or former Cleveland Brown Abe Gibran. Another NFL player is Drew Haddad of the Indianapolis Colts. The former owner of the Miami Dolphins was Joe Robbie.
UCLA’s fiery coach Jim Harrick took his team to the NCAA playoffs eight years in a row, winning the national championship in 1995. The late George Maloof, Sr. owned the NBA’s Houston Rockets; today his sons, Joe and Gavin Maloof, own the SacramentoKings.
Major League baseball player Joe Lahoud played with the Boston Red Sox and Sam Khalifa played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.And Fred Saigh once owned baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals.
In auto racing, Bobby Rahal won the Indy 500 in 1986, later becoming the all-time earnings champ among Indy car racers. The founder of the Professional Bowlers Association was the late Eddie Elias.In the ring, Petey Sarron won the world featherweight championship in 1936-1937. Zuhair “Steve” Mansour was weightlifting’s Grandmaster of the World in 1990. And a four-time U.S. National Chess Champion and Grandmaster is Seattle’s Yasser Seirawan.Women’s International Chess Master Jennifer Shahade won the 2002and 2004 U.S. Women’s Chess Championships. The late Dr. Elias Ghanem,former chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission and Las Vegas’own physician to the stars, once treated celebrities like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, and Paul Anka. In track and field, the world record holder for the marathon is Arab American Khalid Khannouchi.
Activists
Among America’s activists, can you think of two people who have saved more lives than America’s foremost consumer advocate and Green party presidential candidate Ralph Nader and the founder of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Candy Lightner. MADD is the largest crime victims’ assistance organization in the world, with more than 3 million members and supporters.
Back in 1960, Ralph Johns, an active participant in the civilrights movement, encouraged the famous Woolworth “sit-in” at a lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Business
The founder of an international, billion-dollar engineering firm, Jacobs Engineering Group, is the late Dr. Joseph Jacobs. A formerchemist with dozens of patents became Armand Hammer’s successor as chairman of the board, president, and chief executive officer of Occidental Petroleum — Dr. Ray Irani.
The late Najeeb Halaby, former head of the Federal Aviation Administration, was CEO of Pan-American Airlines. His daughter, Lisa, married King Hussein of Jordan and became the only Arab American to be queen of a foreign country, Queen Noor.
Jacques Nasser was formerly the president and CEO of Ford Motor Company. Richard Caleal created the “revolutionary” 1949 Ford car design, a design that some credit with saving the company. The chairman of the board of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is Samir G. Gibara. The late Stephen Yokich served five terms as vicepresident of the International United Auto Workers union, then became its president. Ned Mansour was formerly the president of Mattel, Inc., maker of Barbie dolls and other toys. The founder and president ofThomas Nelson Publishers, the largest world-wide distributor of the Bible, is Sam Moore. Syrian immigrant Ernest Hamwi createdthe first ice-cream cone at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and, a few years later, Lebanese immigrant Albert George founded Pennsylvania’s Joy Cone Company, the country’s largest ice-cream cone producer.
John Mack is Chairman of the Board and CEO of Morgan Stanley,one of America’s largest investment banking firms. Dr. Raymond Jallow is an internationally respected economic advisor to governments and institutions, lecturing in financial capitals around theworld. Youssef A. Nasr was the president and CEO of HSBC USA, a leading financial services organization and the third largest depositoryinstitution. William Hanna is the founding president and CEO of Cedars Bank, a wholly Arab American owned commercial bank headquartered in Los Angeles. The chairman of the board and CEO of Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. is Mohammed Abu-Ghazaleh and second generation Lebanese American Andrew Thomas is President and CEO of Heinekin USA.
Farouk Shamie is the CEO and founder of Farouk Systems USA, apremier hair and skin care company that introduced environmentally safeproducts for hairdressers. Lebanese-American Richard E. Rainwater built his reputation managing investments for Texas’ wealthy Bass family and earned millions for himself as a result. He recently set up a$120 million trust for Stanford and the University of South Carolina. Egyptian-born Texas billionaire Fayez Sarofim heads Fayez SarofimInvestments and manages the Houston Fine Arts Museum’s $300 million endowment.
George Shaheen is credited with founding Andersen Consulting,now called Accenture, and served as CEO and managing partner as part ofa 30-year career at the world’s biggest consulting firm. Roger Farahis president and chief operating officer of Polo Ralph Lauren and previously served as chairman of the board of Venator Group, Inc., the parent company of Footlocker. The “new economy” has its share of Arab American heroes as well: Simon Assad is the co-CEO of Heavy.com, amusic site that was nominated for a Webby, the Internet’s highest honor. One of America’s preeminent pollsters, keeping tabs on public opinion and other statistics John Zogby of Zogby International.
Paul Orfalea founded the world’s biggest international chain of copying service stores, Kinko’s; while the late Waleed Ali andhis brother Malik founded MPI, the world’s largest home-video distributor of documentaries. The Palms, a Maloof Casino Resort in Las Vegas, is operated by George Maloof, Jr. Entrepreneur Tony Ismail founded the Alamo Flag Company in Dallas and built it into the largest retailer of flags and related items in the U.S. today.
Law
The Texas lawyer who won the biggest business settlement in U.S. history, on behalf of Pennzoil ($10 billion dollars!), is one of this country’s most successful attorneys, Joseph D. Jamail. In the famous “zoot suit” trial of the 1940s, George Shibley defended unjustly accused Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles. In the 1990s, the late Edward Masry and Erin Brockovich filed a direct action lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric for polluting the drinking water of Hinkley, CA. Their efforts secured the largest toxic tort injury settlement in U.S. history, $333 million in damages, and was chronicled in the blockbuster film starring Julia Roberts and Albert Finney.
Entertainment
Canadian-born singer-songwriter Paul Anka became one of America’s first pop teen idols. The late ukelele-plucking, falsetto-singing Herbert Khaury became famous as “Tiny Tim.” And in the world of rock, there was the late, legendary Frank Zappa. On the West Coast, Dick Dale is the “King of the Surf Guitar.” Singer-dancer-choreographer Paula Abdul has had two number-one albums, six number-one singles, a Grammy award, and worldwide album sales exceeding 30 million records. And the first teenage singer ever tohave her first two singles both hit number one is Tiffany, born Renee Darwish. Pop star Shakira, of Colombian and Lebanese descent, has scored on the U.S. charts and is a multiple Grammy winner.
Speaking of music, three of America’s landmark music shows on radio were created by Arab Americans, Don Bustany and me — “American Top 40,” “American Top 20,”and “American Country Countdown.” On Broadway, playwright Fred Saidy wrote two classics, “Finian’s Rainbow” and “Bloomer Girl.” Opera prima donna Rosalind Elias hitthe high notes at the Met. And for avant-garde “Dancer of the Year” in 1992, the New York Times picked a 20-year Broadway veteran with the PaulTaylor Company — Elie Chaib. David Yazbek wrote the lyrics and score for “The Full Monty.”
Among TV directors, two Arab Americans have each helmed over 300 episodes for the networks. Asaad Kelada has done numerous series like “Family Ties” and episodes of “The Facts of Life,” “Dharma & Greg,”“Everybody Loves Raymond,” etc. After directing Broadway hits like“Sweet Charity,” “Mame,” and “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” John Bowab switched to TV and has directed episodes of the classic hit “The Cosby Show” as well as “My Wife & Kids” and “Life with Bonnie.”
The highest-rated episode in television history was the last episode of “M*A*S*H”? And who played the role of not-so-crazy Corporal Klinger for its entire 11-year run? A talented Arab American from Toledo, Ohio, Jamie Farr.
On NBC, “Saturday Night Live’s” bandleader for many years was guitarist G.E. Smith. (His family’s Lebanese name, Haddad, means blacksmith).
The best-known Lebanese in America was also the founder of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital — the late, great comedian and actor Danny Thomas. His son is a television and film producer and multi-Emmy winner for “The Golden Girls” and other TV shows —Tony Thomas.
Danny’s daughter, Emmy Award-winning Marlo Thomas, was the first actress ever to play a single, independent young woman in the TV series, “That Girl.” She currently appears on TV’s “Friends” as Rachel’smother and published a book, “The Right Words at the Right Time.”
The leading man who starred in the movies “Flashdance” and “Finding Forrester” was Michael Nouri, who also starred in TV’s “Love and War” sitcom. The box-office hits “Swingers”, “The Lost World: Jurassic Park”, and “The Wedding Crashers” starred Vince Vaughn, who has aLebanese grandparent.
Wendie Malick whose father is from Egypt, played Nina Van Horn on NBC’s hit show “Just Shoot Me.” and Tony Shalhoub, now starring in USA Network’s series “Monk,” and Amy Yasbeck appeared in thehit sitcom “Wings” — the first time two Arab Americans have been featured in the same TV series. Amy has also starred in films including Mel Brooks’ “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.” Tony has moved to the big screen as well, in both “Men in Black ” films, “The Siege,” “A Civil Action,” and “Thirteen Ghosts” (with fellow Arab Americans F. Murray Abraham and Shannon Elizabeth).
Crusty but soft-hearted Mel in TV’s “Alice” was portrayed by the late Vic Tayback. One of the co-stars of the series “Empty Nest” was Kristy McNichol. A star of TV’s “Head of the Class” was once picked by People Magazine as one of the “50 most beautiful people in theU.S.” — Khrystyne Haje.
Two other fine movie and television actors who also starred in popular TV dramas are James Stacy, who played the main role in “Laramie,” and Michael Ansara, who played Cochise in “Broken Arrow.”
An award-winning comic actress from San Diego, Kathy Najimy, played a fun-loving nun in the “Sister Act” films. She co-starred as Olive, a Lebanese-American, in NBC-TV’s “Veronica’s Closet” with KirstieAlley. Kathy is the voice of Peggy Hill on Fox-TV’s animated hit “King of the Hill.” Shannon Elizabeth of “American Pie,” “Scary Movie,”and “Tomcats” is of Lebanese and Syrian ancestry.
The former head of Carolco Pictures, handling the “Rocky,” “Rambo,” and “Terminator” films, was “billion-dollar producer” Mario Kassar.The producer of the epic “The Message: The Story of Islam” (a biographyof the Prophet Mohammed) and “Lion of the Desert,” not to mention all the blockbuster “Halloween” chillers, is the late Moustapha Akkad.
Lovely Salma Hayek, who is of Lebanese and Mexican descent, is another actress who has lit up the small screen (in cable TV’s movie “The Hunchback,” as the gypsy Esmeralda) and the big screen (Oscar-winning “Traffic,” “Desperado,” “Wild Wild West,” and “Frida,” about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo). The director of Jim Carrey’s loony comedy hits “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “Liar, Liar,” Eddie Murphy’s “The Nutty Professor,” and Robin Williams’ “Patch Adams” is Tom Shadyac. Together, these films have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.
The Pulitzer Prize for biography (“Jackson Pollack: An American Saga”) was shared by the author of three other national bestsellers: writer-publisher Steven Naifeh of South Carolina. The book was later adapted into an Academy award-winning film (best supporting actress).
Elie Samaha is chairman and owner of Franchise Pictures, which produced such films as “The Heist,” “Angel Eyes,” “The Whole Nine Yards,” and “Battlefield Earth.” Academy Award-winning film producer Ronald Schwary is best known for his work with “Tootsie,” “Meet Joe Black,” and “Scent of a Woman.” Jehane Noujaim co-directed and co-produced “Startup.com” and in 2004 directed “Control Room”.
One of show business’ legendary talent managers was the late George “Bullets” Durgom, who, through the years, managed Jackie Gleason, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Marilyn Monroe, to mention a few. Two of today’s top recording stars’ husband-managers are of Arab descent: Rene Angelil, discoverer and manager of wife Celine Dion, and Cuban-born Emilio Estefan, manager and producer of wife Gloria Estefan.
Emmy Award-winning cinematographer-director George S. Dibie is president of the International Photographers Guild. Fouad Saidwas the cinematographer who designed Cinemobile, the first customized van for filming on location, while working on the TV series “I Spy.” Forthis achievement, he received a Technical Academy Award in 1970.
Other Arab American Oscar winners include F. Murray Abraham, who won Best Actor for the movie “Amadeus.” Screenwriter and novelist William Peter Blatty won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Exorcist,” a huge box office hit based on his novel of the same name. Recipient of an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for“Thelma and Louise” and director of the “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” is Callie Khourie. The late composer Paul Jabara won an Oscar award for Best Song, Donna Summer’s ”Last Dance” from the movie “Thank God, It’s Friday.” Set decorator Emile Kuri won two Oscars for his splendid work on “The Heiress” and “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” He received a total of eight Academy Award nominations and later designed many exhibits at Disneyland.
Media
Diane Rehm is host and executive producer of “The Diane Rehm Show” on National Public Radio (NPR). George Noory’s talk show “Coast to Coast AM” can be heard on over 500 stations nationwide. The man who pioneered the concept of a radio programming consultant in 1958 is Mike Joseph, who’s helped organizations like ABC, CBS, and NBC, among others.
Turning to television, Lucie Salhany became the first woman to head a television network, as chair of Fox Broadcasting Co., then of United Paramount Network. Tammy Haddad, the creator of “Larry King Live,” is Executive Producer of “Buchanan & Press.” CNN senior editor and anchor Octavia E. Nasr has been named CNN’s first senior editor for Arab affairs. Hoda Kotb is a correspondent for NBC’s “Dateline” and Jim Avila, who is of Lebanese and Mexican descent, is a national correspondent for NBC News.
On the print side, the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting went to Washington Post correspondent Anthony Shadid while the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting went to the Toledo Blade’s Michael Sallah.
Education
The late Edward Said was a Columbia professor and well-known literary and social critic, as well as a respected music reviewer, and wrote a column appearing in “The Nation.” Professor Said authored more than a dozen volumes on everything from the Middle East to English literature. Jack Shaheen, emeritus professor of mass communications at Southern Illinois University and author of books like “The TV Arab” and “Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People,” has also been CBS News’ consultant for the Middle East. David Adamany was the longest-serving president of Wayne State University in Detroit and currently serves as Temple University’s president.
For an inspiring success story, try that of writer-lecturer on business and success, Nido Qubein. When he came to the United States as a teenager, he could barely speak English. He went on to become president of the National Speakers’ Association and the youngest member inducted into the International Speakers’ Hall of Fame.
Fashion
The prestigious CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award for 1989 and 1990 went to Arab American Joseph Abboud of New York. He’s the only designer to win the award two years in a row. Supermodel YamilaDiaz-Rahi, who is of Lebanese and Spanish descent, landed the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover in 2002. She has also graced the covers of “Marie Claire,” “Elle,” “GQ,” and “Shape.”
One of America’s most sought-after hairstylists, Frederic Fekkai,boasts clients such as Claudia Schiffer, Kim Basinger, and Renee Zellweger.
Lebanese immigrant J.M. Haggar started Haggar Clothing Co. in1926. It became one of the world’s best-known brands in men’s apparel. The company is now a multi-million dollar enterprise that is headed by J.M.Haggar III, who serves as chairman and CEO. In addition, Farah Brothers manufactures men’s and women’s slacks, and Maloof Brothers manufactured Mod-O-Day women’s dresses. Norma Kamali,who designs everything from clothing and cosmetics to eyeglasses, is ofArab ancestry. Reem Acra is one of the world’s preeminent designers of bridal fashions and is known for her elaborate embroideries. Hair accessories and jewelry designer Colette Malouf began her rise to the top in 1987 with the “Malouf Poof.” She is known for her innovative use of exotic materials and her celebrity clientele.
Art & Literature
Arab Americans also have made significant contributions to the art world. America’s most honored woodworker, the late Sam Maloof wasan award-winning artisan whose creations have appeared in the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Vatican, and other renowned exhibit halls. Retired heart surgeon Dr. Hussam A. Fadhli is an award-winning sculptor whose work is displayed around the world, including the Bush Presidential Library. Prolific industrial designer Karim Rashid is among the major talents of 21st-century design with work in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
The first woman to design a major American art museum, Cincinnati’s $34 million Contemporary Art Center, is Iraqi-born Zaha Hadid. Artist Ghada Amer’s hand embroidered paintings were selected for the Whitney Biennial 2000 and the Venice Biennale in 1999. Naomi Shihab Nye is an award-winning poet and author of children’s literature.
Science and Medicine
One of America’s most famous pioneers is Houston surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey, who invented the heart pump. Today he’s chancellor of Baylor University’s College of Medicine. Algerian-American Dr. Elias Zerhouni is the director of the National Institutes of Health.
Two winners of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry are Arab American. Dr.Ahmed H. Zewail, a professor of physics at the California Instituteof Technology (CIT), is the 1999 winner. The 1990 winner is Harvard’s Dr.Elias Corey. Also at CIT is Dr. Charles Elachi, who was selected to head up the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. A pioneer in the field of electrical engineering, inventor Hassan Kamel Al-Sabbah worked for the General Electric Company (GE) in the 1920s and 30s. His research led to 52 patent applications, among them innovations in solar energy and television tubes.
Geologist George A. Doumani’s explorations helped prove the theory of continental drift; he has a mountain peak named after him in Antarctica. Another American geologist, Dr. Farouk el-Baz, born in Egypt, helped plan all the Apollo moon landings and later pioneered the use of space photography to study the Earth.
Finally, the courageous astronauts who lost their lives aboard the space shuttle Challenger represented several racial and ethnic groups: African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, Anglo-American, Jewish-American — and Arab American: schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe.
Famous Arab Americans - Arab American Institute
Arts and Culture
The AAI Foundation is proud to showcase the rich heritage and tremendous diversity found in Arab and Arab American arts and culture. From co-sponsoring film festivals to hosting concerts, we work with communities and artists to improve understanding and awareness of the varied music, literature, and arts found from Libya to Lebanon, from Mauritania to Morocco.
Arab, Muslim, and Arab American contemporary artists draw on the rich traditions of the Middle East to create new works in every field. We have been fortunate to work with a wide variety of artists from Arab American comedians and poets to Arab filmmakers and singers.
Below you will find articles about artists and performers, exhibits, and resources for both art lovers and artists. We encourage you to contact us at to share additional resources.
Arab and Islamic Arts: Museums and Galleries in the United States
- Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, MA
- Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Freer and Sackler Galleries, Washington, DC
- Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, IN
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
- The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, NY
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston, MA
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston, TX
- Library of Congress, Washington, DC
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA
- San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, TX
- Shangri La Center for Islamic Arts and Culture, Honolulu, HI
- The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD
- Arab American National Museum, Dearborn, MI
- Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, Philadelphia, PA
- Alif Institute, Atlanta, GA
- Alwan for the Arts, New York, NY
- Arab Cultural and Community Center, San Francisco, CA
- ArteEast, New York, NY
- Calligraphy Qalam (Online Only)
- Center for Arabic Culture, Somerville, MA
- Center for Arabic Language and Culture, Chicago, IL
- Levantine Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Mizna, Minneapolis, MN
- Radius of Arab American Writers (RAWI), (Online Only)
- Zawaya, San Francisco, CA
- Al-Hakawati
- AramacoWorld
- Bidoun
- Fen Magazine
- Jadaliyya
- Kalimat Magazine
- The Arab Review
- The Qahwa Project
Arts and Culture - Arab American Institute
Education
The AAI Foundation also supports programs that educate Americans about the Arab and Muslim worlds and the Arab American experience. We are the nation’s leading resource for demographic information on our community, and serve as the Census Information Center for Arab Americans. In addition to compiling national statistics, AAIF offers demographic profiles of the 12 states with the highest concentration of Arab Americans.
Our publications are available online and in hard copy, and are used by schools, universities, and NGOs to enhance outreach and education on minority civic engagement, the immigrant experience, and Arab and Muslim cultures. Each year, AAIF updates our Roster of Arab Americans in Public Service which provides a comprehensive list of Arab Americans in elected and appointed office, from the local through federal levels. In 2012, we updated and re-issued Arab Americans: A Century of Civic and Cultural Achievement, and we are proud to continue to serve as the publisher for Casey Kasem’s landmark brochure: Arab Americans: Making a Difference. In our series Together We Came, AAI celebrates the month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month by featuring profiles of Arab American immigrants who have left an indelible mark on the history of the U.S.
The AAI Foundation is also committed to providing educational resources about the Arab and Muslim worlds and the Arab American experience. While many universities in the U.S. and abroad offer Middle East and Islamic Studies programs, some in the U.S. are beginning to provide Arab American Studies as well.
Below you will find links to many of these programs, as well as to resources published by the Arab American Institute that help define the Arab American experience—from the first waves of immigrants from Syria and Lebanon in the 1880s to the contributions of leaders like John Sununu, Farouk El Baz, Kahlil Gibran, Ray LaHood, Nick Rahall, Helen Thomas, and Edward Said.
We encourage you to explore these resources and to let us know about any new programs, publications, and other materials on our community.
Resources and Publications on Arab Americans
- A Kid's Guide to Arab American History
- Arab American Studies Guide
- Arab Americans: A Century of Civic and Cultural Achievement
- Arab Americans: Making a Difference
- Demographics
- Healing the Nation: The Arab American Experience After September 11
- Not Quite White: Race Classification and the Arab American Experience
- The Other Anti-Semitism: The Arab as Scapegoat
- Who Are Arab Americans?
Arab and Middle East Studies Programs
- University of Arizona, School of Middle Eastern & North African Studies
- University of California, Berkeley, Center for Middle Eastern Studies
- Columbia University, Center for Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies
- George Washington University, Institute for Middle East Studies
- Georgetown University, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
- Harvard University, The Center for Middle Eastern Studies
- Indiana University, Center for the Study of the Middle East
- New York University, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
- Ohio State University, Middle East Studies Center
- Princeton University, Department of Near Eastern Studies
- University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Near Eastern Studies
- University of Chicago, Center for Middle Eastern Studies
- University of Michigan, Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Center for the Study of the Middle East and Muslim Civilizations
- Duke University, Middle East Studies Center
- University of Pennsylvania, Middle East Center
- University of Texas, Austin, Department of Middle Eastern Studies
- University of Washington, The Middle East Center
- Yale University, The Middle East Studies Council
- Portland State University, Middle East Studies Center
- Directory of Graduate Programs in Arab and Middle Eastern Studies
- 100 Questions and Answers About Arab Americans
- Arab American Anthologies, NYU Press
- Arab American Educational Foundation
- Arab American Stories
- Arab American Studies Guide, Michigan State University
- Arab American Studies Resources, Duke University
- #IAmArabAmerican
- Kid’s Guide to Arab American History
- Ten Lessons to Improve Understanding and Heal the Divide
- Together We Came
Organizations and Institutions – Arab Americans
Arab American Institute
Represents the policy and community interests of Arab Americans throughout the United States and strives to promote Arab American participation in the US electoral system
Arab American National Museum
First museum in the world devoted to Arab American history and culture, and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
Includes cultural arts, employment and training, public health, and education
Café Arabica
Online Arab American community center. A place for Arab Americans to discuss issues of common interest and find out about resources and services available to Arabs and the Middle East
Middle East & Middle Eastern American Center
Based at the City University of New York (CUNY), MEMEAC's mission is to promote the study of the Middle East and Middle Eastern Americans
National Network for Arab American Communities
Committed to the development of Arab American community-based nonprofit organizations at the local level and collectively
Network of Arab-American Professionals
Non-partisan, volunteer-based organization dedicated to strengthening the Arab American community
Organizations and Institutions – Islam
Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding at Georgetown University
The Center’s mission is to improve relations between the Muslim world and the West and enhance understanding of Muslims in the West
Center for Islamic Studies at Youngstown State University
Devoted to the scholarly study of Islam and to educating the community about Islamic religion, history, and culture
Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy
A non-profit organization dedicated to studying Islamic and democratic political thought and merging them into a modern Islamic democratic discourse
Council on Islamic Education
A body of scholars that provides academic information about Islam
Islamic Society of North America
An association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities
Muslim Public Affairs Council
A public service agency working for the civil rights of American Muslims, for the integration of Islam into American pluralism, and for a positive, constructive relationship between American Muslims and their representatives
One Nation
A national philanthropic initiative that promotes pluralism and inclusion in America and seeks to help change misperceptions about American Muslims
Organizations and Institutions – Middle East
AMIDEAST
Promoting understanding and cooperation between Americans and the people of the Middle East and North Africa.
Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
At Georgetown University, the Center has established itself as the most comprehensive university-based Arab studies program in the US
Middle East Institute
Promotes knowledge of the Middle East in America and seeks to strengthen understanding of the United States by the peoples and governments of the region
Middle East Policy Council
Non-profit organization fostering public discussion of the political, economic, cultural, and security issues that affect the policies of the United States in the Middle
Middle East Studies Association
For scholars, students, and others interested in the study of the Middle East, North Africa and the Islamic world.
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations
Non-profit organization that seeks to enhance American awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the Arab countries, the Mideast, and the Islamic world
Saudi Aramco Magazine
Distributed by Saudi Aramco to increase cross-cultural understanding with the Middle East
Education - Arab American Institute
For more information see:
Arab American Institute
