CHICAGO: Arab American leaders are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence with pride despite concerns over continued discrimination and misunderstanding.
Leaders of several Arab and Muslim organizations told Arab News that they have more freedoms in the US than anywhere else, but continue to struggle against racism, stereotypes and discrimination.
They said the tens of thousands of Arabs and Muslims who have served in the US military prove that the community is strongly patriotic.
“Arabs and Muslims are very proud to be American, and we enthusiastically are celebrating this amazing achievement of 250 years since the founding of this great nation, which has been welcoming to immigrants from throughout the world, including from the Middle East,” Hassan Nijem, president of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, told Arab News.
“Thousands of our people have served this nation in the military, defending it in every war dating back to the Civil War, sacrificing their lives to ensure our country’s survival.
“Just because we also love and respect the countries of our origin, doesn’t mean we must constantly prove our loyalty and patriotism. Unlike others, we don’t serve in foreign militaries and pretend we’re patriotic.”
Nijem cited the documented military service of Arabs and Muslims showcased at ArabWarVeterans.com, which the chamber co-sponsors.
Azhar Azeez, CEO of the Islamic Society of North America, told Arab News: “America is a great nation … America is our motherland. We’re very patriotic. We take great pride in calling ourselves Americans.
“In spite of all the challenges we face, this is one of the best places for Muslims and Arabs to live, thrive and grow. This is one of the best places for Muslims to practice their religion freely.”
He said while racism and bigotry cannot be ignored, the benefits of this nation have motivated the many contributions that Arabs have made to the US in every profession.
“Most Americans are very tolerant. They hold pluralistic values in a big way and accommodate every faith group. The very basic foundation of this nation is that people came to this nation for religious freedom, so that can’t be compromised,” Azeez said.
However, he warned: “Today, certain bigots, hatemongers and racists are spreading fear because they see the growth and advancement of the American Muslim and Arab community.”
Safa Rifka, chairman of the board of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, told Arab News that the community is very proud to be American but discrimination “has increased on all fronts.”
Warren David, co-founder of the Arab America Foundation, said Arabs have made “remarkable progress” in overcoming challenges and being accepted.
“As America celebrates 250 years of independence, the question isn’t whether Arab Americans belong — they’ve answered that through generations of military service and civic engagement. The question is whether our nation fully recognizes them as an integral part of the American story. That’s the work still ahead,” he told Arab News.
“Winning elected office has become more achievable, as demonstrated by the growing number of Arab American mayors, legislators, members of Congress and other elected officials.
“Yet candidates often face unique challenges, including stereotypes, misinformation, and questions about their identity that other candidates rarely encounter.”
Laila Alhusini, founder and CEO of US Arab Radio — the largest Arabic-language radio network in North America — told Arab News: “A critical gap remains in community political awareness. Despite continuous and exhausting grassroots efforts to educate our community, voter turnout and full comprehension of the political system remain somewhat frustrating.
“There’s a frequent tendency to overlook the immense impact of local elections, including city councils, school boards and mayors, which directly shape daily life, in favor of focusing solely on the federal level.”
Mohammed Jaber, a former board member of Chicago’s Consolidated High School District 230 — in which nearly 35 percent of the 7,500 students are Arab or Muslim — said Arab and Muslim families will be celebrating at picnics and at many of the region’s Independence Day events.
“We’re very proud to be American Arab and American Muslim. Yes there are some challenges, but when we come together we can resolve them,” he told Arab News.
“We see the world changing, recognizing our community and our engagement in society, government, and at every level of American society growing positively for the benefit of the community and the country.”
Imad Hamad, chairman of the American Human Rights Council, told Arab News that while Arabs and Muslims have recently seen an increase in racism, “the number of serving Arab Americans in the local governments and other official governmental entities is growing.
“The future is very promising. However, like in other communities, voter turnout continues to be a challenge. It’s the struggle facing all minorities, migrants and ethnic communities … It’s still a very bumpy road, but the community manages to mobilize and rise.
“Unfortunately, the lack of a coherent, holistic Arab American vision is one key challenge facing us despite the great success earned thus far.”
