Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Deir Yassin Remembered Library expands

For More Information Contact For Immediate Release
Daniel McGowan
315 891-3418 mcgowan@hws.edu www.deiryassin.org


Deir Yassin Remembered Archives
Receives Library of Issam Nashashibi

Margaret Nashashibi, widow of Issam Nashashibi, has donated his extensive library on Palestine to the Deir Yassin Remembered Archives. This wonderful collection (24 boxes) of rare books and periodicals will be available to the public when the archives are reinstituted at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York.

The DYR Archives were established several years ago with a pledge of $50,000 ... but were suspended when that pledge failed to be honored.

The DYR collection includes original voice recordings by Colin Edwards of people involved in the Naqba in 1948, correspondence with Yassir Arafat, an original letter by Albert Einstein calling the perpetrators of the Deir Yassin massacre “criminal” and “terrorists,” and many other articles by both Palestinians and Jews.

People who would like to raise money to again endow these archives for permanent display and conservatorship are invited to contact Daniel McGowan at mcgowan@hws.edu.

Those who would like to sponsor a DYR Scholarship in memory of Issam Nashashibi or anyone else are invited to contact steveb@suddenlink.net.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Arab Comedy Festival to be held in Amman, Jordan

First Stand Up Comedy Festival in History of Middle East to be Held in Amman, Jordan December 2-5, 2008


City of Amman to Host First Stand-Up Comedy Festival Featuring Over 15 Comedians from the US, Canada, Australia and the Arab World with headliner Russell Peters.


New York, NY, November 13, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The City of Amman announced today the addition of the Amman Stand-Up Comedy Festival to its culture and events agenda. The Amman Stand-Up Comedy Festival is scheduled to be held between 2 and 5 December, 2008, at Al Hussein Cultural Center. A non-profit program developed by the Greater Amman Municipality, the four-day themed festival will feature a line-up comprised of Jordanian, Arab, and Foreign talents and headliner performers including Russell Peters. Set to position Amman as a platform for the stand-up form of comedy in the Middle East, the festival is developed in close collaboration with the critically acclaimed New York Arab-American Comedy Festival, piloting an activity with aims to grow in stature year after year.

With over 15 acclaimed performers from 6 countries, including Arab-American, Executive Producer, and Stand-Up Comedian Mr. Dean Obeidallah, the festival is predicted to attract comedy fans from across the region. The festival is intended to showcase comedic talent from around the world as well as foster understanding between the different cultures through comedy.

“When is the last time we saw Arabs laughing on American television? Hopefully, this Festival will show Americans that people in the Arab world actually have a sense of humor and can laugh at comedians as well as at themselves,” states Dean Obeidallah who has performed comedy throughout the Middle East.

“The Amman Stand-Up Comedy Festival will enhance Amman's cultural movement, and will create a wider appreciation for comedy in Jordan and the region. We, at the Greater Amman Municipality, anticipate that this festival will increase tourist traffic to the City during the month of December, while also placing Jordan and its talent pool on the international map of comedy. We are always keen on urging our community members to express themselves and interact through the many forms of performing arts, and stand-up comedy is the rawest and most interactive form of comedy,” explained Mayor of Amman, Mr. Omar Maani.

Further commenting on the upcoming event, Mr. Obeidallah said, “I hope that this Festival will encourage young talents to be active in the Jordanian performing arts arena. I also see this event creating a wider appreciation for comedy in Jordan and should be recognized as a marked calendar occurrence staged in Amman, as the region is full of raw talent that we are hoping to bring to the forefront.”

Mr. Obeidallah also explained that comedy has a powerful voice, and that it is a lighthearted method for bringing social issues to the attention of a wide, and appreciative audience,”we can only look forward to positive outcomes from this festival, placing our positive experience from the New York Arab American Comedy Festival at the disposal of Jordanian talents and the City of Amman,” he added.

The Festival presents four nights of shows in English and Arabic. Comedians scheduled to appear include closing night headliner the internationally known Russell Peters as well as Maz Jobrani, Ahmed Ahmed, Aron Kader, and Maysoon Zayid.

Ticket price: 20 JODs – Tickets can be reserved by calling: +962 6 473 9956.

The Amman Stand-Up Comedy Festival is sponsored by:
Platinum Sponsor: Showtime Arabia
Gold Sponsors: Wi-tribe & Royal Jordanian
Silver Sponsors: Nuqul Group, Nuqul Automotive, Limitless, & Grand Hyatt Amman
Bronze Sponsors: AdvizeGrey, Events AVP, Al-Qasr Metropole Hotel
Media Sponsors: Hawa Amman 105.9, FrontRow Publishing (Living Well & Jordan Business, & Anty), Play 99.6 FM, Sunny 105.1 FM, & OmniaMedia.

Schedule of Festival Events:
Tuesday, December 2nd: “Arabian Nights” - featuring some of the top comics of Arab heritage from the US and Arab world performing in English including:
-Mike Batayeh: Jordanian-American comedian who has appeared in TV and film including on "Everybody Loves Raymond"
-Meena Dimian: appeared in the NY Arab-American Comedy Festival
-Aron Kader: Comedy Central's "Axis of Evil" Special (www.aronkader.com)
-Ronnie Khalil: Comedy Central's "The Watch List," NBC's Conan O'Brien Show. (www.ronniekhalil.com)
-Nemr Abou Nassar: Lebanon's top stand up comedian and has made numerous appearances on TV and radio in the Middle East.
-Amer Zaher: ABC's "Politically Incorrect," and NY Arab-American Comedy Festival
-Maysoon Zayid: Comedy Central's "The Watch List," BBC, and Al Jazeera. (www.maysoon.com)
Hosted by Dean Obeidallah: Comedy Central's "Axis of Evil" special, BBC, ABC's "The View." (www.deanofcomedy.com)

Wednesday, December 3rd “All Arabic Comedy” - A show performed exclusively in Arabic with: Egypt’s George Azmy (Showtime Arabia's "Friday Night Live"), Amer Zaher, Maysoon Zayid
Hosted by Meena Dimian

Thursday, December 4th “International Show” - featuring some of the top comics from the US, Australia and Canada:
-Ahmed Ahmed: Egyptian-American comedian from "Axis of Evil," NBC's "The Tonight Show" and numerous movies including "Ironman." (www.ahmed-ahmed.com)
-Ted Alexandro: one of America's top comedians who has had two half-hour specials on Comedy Central and has appeared on NBC's Conan O'Brien show, "The World Stands Up" and CBS' David Letterman Show. (www.tedalexandro.com)
-Ali Hassan: This Canadian comic of Pakistani heritage is making a name for himself as one of Canada's top up and coming comedians.
-Maz Jobrani: Iranian-American comedian from Comedy Central's "Axis of Evil," NBC's "The Tonight Show," and numerous movies.
-James Smith: Australia's hilarious comedian who has appeared on all the major Australian TV comedy shows as well as on Comedy Central and HBO's "Flight of the Concords" in the US. (www.jamessmith.com.au)
Hosted by Aron Kader from "The Axis of Evil"
Friday, December 5th : “Closing Night Headliner Show” starring international comic superstar Russell Peters
-Russell Peters: has recently appeared in his own one hour special on Showtime (US), as well as headlined sold out shows around the world! (www.russellpeters.com)
With Ahmed Ahmed, Maz Jobrani, Aron Kader
Hosted by Dean Obeidallah

###

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Foods of Chicago Features Arab and Ethnic foods including recipes and authors from Chicago

Gloria Baraks
Vice President/Marketing
G. Bradley Publishing, Inc.
112 W. Jefferson/Suite 122
St. Louis, MO 63122
Fax 314-966-5110
Web - gbradleypublishing.com

THE FOODS OF CHICAGO: A Delicious History

Chicago was built by immigrants, and in creating this urban behemoth these newcomers they got their hands dirty. First, they toiled to clear and rebuild the city from the charred remains of the Great Fire. They labored in the awesome and fearsome vast Union Stockyards and faced the fiery furnaces of the mighty steel mills. Many took pride in their workmanship raising and supporting the impressive Worlds Columbian Exposition of 1893.

These immigrants came to a Lake Michigan shoreline paved not with gold, but with opportunity. They raised families, taught their children and built divinely inspired houses of worship. They opened the door for people of every nation and culture to come and share the intense drama of life in a growing city.

But even as they aspired to become fully American, these immigrants did not leave everything of their old worlds behind them. They brought memories, photographs, languages and faiths. They also brought Grandmas recipes, the cherished taste of home reminding them of the love and warmth of their roots. Indeed, they were defined by what they put on the table.

This publication is a companion piece to the television program The Foods of Chicago: A Delicious History, produced by WTTW11 Chicagos public television station. WTTW producer/writer Dan Protess and host Geoffrey Baer see the program and book as a celebration of Chicagos diversity. Dan summed it up perfectly when he said, I really cant think of a better window into Chicagos distinct communities than food.

The Foods of Chicago: A Delicious History is a wonderful blend. a book like no other. Much like a recipe that offers delightful combinations to entice the senses, this book is a delectable mixture of culinary delights and reflections on the rich cultural history of Chicagos diverse communities. You and your family will enjoy and cherish this book for years to come.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Carole Samaha at Caesars Windsor Canada Dec. 13

Caesars Windsor welcomes Carole Samaha, December 13

Media Contact:
Holly Ward, Director of Communications and Community Affairs
Direct: 519.985.2869 or 1.800.991.7777 ext. 22869 ward@caesarswindsor.com

For immediate release: October 29, 2008

Windsor, Ont. – Caesars Windsor is proud to present Carole Samaha, celebrated star of the Middle East, performing her award-winning Arabic music on Saturday December 13 at 9 pm. Tickets go on sale at noon on Wednesday, November 5, for $25 and $35 Canadian. With the current U.S. exchange rate, your entertainment dollar goes further at Caesars Windsor.

Also appearing in the Colosseum line-up of world-renowned entertainers, acclaimed Grammy Award nominee Jewel, will be performing on January 23, 2009. Jewel has topped the alternative rock charts with hits such as “Foolish Games”, “You Were Meant for Me” and “Who Will Save Your Soul.” Her twelve-time platinum album, “Pieces of You” has been chronicled as one of the best selling debut albums of all time. Returning to her country roots, Jewel is celebrating her seventh career album entitled “Perfectly Clear.”

Jewel will perform at 9 pm on Friday, January 23. Tickets go on sale at noon on Wednesday, November 5, for $35 and $45 Canadian. With the current U.S. exchange rate, your entertainment dollar goes further at Caesars Windsor.

Tickets can be purchased through www.caesarswindsor.com or at the Box Office located in the main casino building on the second floor, open daily from noon to 8 pm. On concert days, the Box Office is open noon until midnight, call 1-800-991-8888. Guests must be 19 years of age or older to attend concerts.

Other headliners already on sale include: Regis Philbin (October 31/November 1), Hall & Oates (November 7/8), Paul Anka (November 13), Nashville Star Tour (November 14), Johnny Mathis (November 21/22), Blue Man Group (November 29/30) Spirit of Christmas (December 2-7), Dionne Warwick (January 9/10), Jeff Foxworthy (2 shows on January 24).

Caesars Windsor is the first and only Caesars property in Canada. The 5,000 seat Colosseum is the largest entertainment venue at any Harrah’s Entertainment resort.
-30-


No passport currently required to cross Detroit/Windsor land border.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Afghan Chronicles Chicago Premiere Thursday, December 4

Afghan Chronicles Chicago Premiere Thursday, December 4, 6-8pm
International House at the University of Chicago
1414 E. 59th Street
In partnership with the Canadian Consulate of Chicago and the International House at the University of Chicago

Free Admission
Reservations required. Click here to RSVP.
Call 312 222 7871 for more information

Join the Freedom Museum, Canadian Consulate of Chicago and the University of Chicago's Global Voices series for a screening of the riveting film Afghan Chronicles. This documentary explores the expanding role of media in Afghanistan and its contributions to the country’s efforts to rebuild after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. Filmmaker Dominic Morissette will be on hand for a short discussion after the film.

Friday, November 14, 2008

MidEast TV relaunches online www.MEYTV.com

We have been working extremely hard on improving Mideast Youth and its services. After launching the beta version of MEY TV, our video-sharing community, more than a year ago, we have come a long way! So we invite you to check our newly developed video platform here:Mideast Youth TV

The Internet has transformed the video medium into an increasingly powerful and interactive form of communication, and allowed for the circumvention of censors. Recognizing this power, Mideast Youth TV was created in order to provide a forum for worthy videos to be shown and distributed.

Through this space, we would like to recognize and support important documentaries, video op-eds, independent regional filmmaking, music, and more, while welcoming controversy.
Although the Internet abounds with video sharing sites, censorship of controversial content has become apparent in them, and we felt it was crucial to finally have a place we call our own, where we can showcase our videos and those of others without having to protest their wrongful removal.

In order to start publishing videos, you don't necessarily have to register! Our website supports Open ID. That means that if you have an AIM account, a WordPress.com account, or Yahoo, Blogger, Livejournal, or more, you can simply sign in with one of those accounts and start posting videos/comments. Once you log in you would notice many great features on the site and we hope that you will take good advantage of them.

We hope that you like what we did with the site and that our hard work has paid off. Don't forget to spread the word about it!
--
You are receiving this newsletter because you are either a registered author or you subscribed to receive them. If you wish to unsubscribe, you may do so here.
-- Esra'a Al ShafeiMideastYouth.com, Director

Monday, November 10, 2008

Jordan filmmaker in Chicago Nov. 18

MEDIA CONTACT:
Natalie Campbell Lisa Xia
Phone: 312.744.2172 Phone: 312.744.9181
E-mail: Natalie.campbell@cityofchicago.org E-mail: lisa.xia@cityofchicago.org

First-ever Jordanian Independent Film, Captain Abu Raed, Debuts in Chicago Nov. 18
Guest Appearance by Film’s Writer, Director and Producer

(November 11, 2008) – The Chicago debut of Captain Abu Raed, the first-ever independent film to come out of Jordan, will be hosted by the Amman Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International during Arab American Heritage Month on Nov. 18, 2008. Already a winner of numerous awards at Sundance and other festivals, the film will be screened at Columbia College Chicago with a guest appearance and question and answer session by its renowned writer, director and producer, Amin Matalqa.

Winner of the 2008 Sundance Best Audience Award, the 2008 Helsinki International Film Fest Best Audience Award, the 2008 Seattle International Film Fest Best Director Award, and Jordan's entry for 2009 Oscar's Best Foreign Film Category, Captain Abu Raed is about an elderly airport janitor mistaken for a pilot by the children in his neighborhood. Seeing the grim realities that surround them all inspires him to play to the children's assumptions and try to make a difference in their lives.

The Amman Committee has facilitated the inaugural screening of this ground-breaking Jordanian film as part of its mission to support projects relating to urban affairs, education, culture, economic development, social services and fundraising. In addition, since the Sister Cities signing in June 2004, the Committee has dedicated itself to fostering meaningful social service and humanitarian exchanges, raising more than $100,000 in 2008 with the assistance of HRH Princess Ghida Talal and HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan for the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman.
The screening is free, and RSVPs are required. For additional information and to RSVP, contact Adrienne Tongate at Adrienne.Tongate@cityofchicago.org. More information about the film can be found at www.captainaburaed.com.

Event Details:
November 18
Columbia College Chicago1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor, Film Row Cinema. Reception at 7 pm and movie screening at 8 pm.

###

About CSCIP
The Chicago Sister Cities International Program, under the auspices of the City of Chicago, provides leadership to develop, manage, and coordinate comprehensive programs and projects with Chicago’s sister cities. It aims to increase international trade, promote economic development and support exchanges in the fields of culture, education, medicine, social services, environment, and technology with its sister cities for the benefit of the City of Chicago, its residents and businesses. For more information about the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, please call (312) 744-2172 or visit www.chicagosistercities.com.

Chicago’s Sister Cities include: Accra, Ghana (1989); Amman, Jordan (2004); Athens Greece (1997); Belgrade, Serbia (2005); Birmingham, England (1993); Busan, Republic of Korea (2007); Casablanca, Morocco (1982); Delhi, India (2001); Durban, South Africa (1997); Galway, Ireland (1997); Gothenburg, Sweden (1987); Hamburg, Germany (1994); Kyiv, Ukraine (1991); Lahore, Pakistan (2007); Lucerne, Switzerland (1998); Mexico City, Mexico (1991); Milan, Italy (1973); Moscow, Russia (1997); Osaka, Japan (1973); Paris, France (1996); Petach Tikva, Israel (1994); Prague, Czech Republic (1990); Shanghai, China (1985); Shenyang, China (1985); Toronto, Canada (1991); Vilnius, Lithuania (1993); and Warsaw, Poland (1960).



Lisa Xia
Chicago Sister Cities International
78 E. Washington St., 4th Floor
Chicago, IL, 60602

Monday, November 03, 2008

Suspect sought in slaying of Rana Ismail in bridgeview Illinois

You can get information on the suspect wanted by the Bridgeview police in the murder of the young woman at 87th and Harlem Saturday by visiting:

Arab America's Most Wanted

or

Arab American Media Services

Information on the funeral services for the victim:

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihy Rajeoun

with deep sorrow, I inform you that the beloved daughter of Hajj AbuTariq Ismail, sister of AAAEA member Engr. Tariq Ismail, and niece of Dr. Mahmoud Ismail of the Aqsa School Board & Univ of Chicago, has tragically passed away yesterday in Bridgeview.

May Allah bless her soul and may Allah grant her family patience.

Condolences (Beit A'zaa) will be as follow:

Tonight, Sunday Nov. 2
At the Community Center (Youth Center) 2nd Floor, 7260 W 93rd St., Bridgeview, IL, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Tomorrow, Monday Nov. 3
Hann Funeral Home, 8230 S. Harlem Ave, Bridgeview, IL, morning before Thuhr prayer

Janazah prayer after Thuhr prayer at the Mosque Foundation, 7360 W 93rd St., Bridgeview, IL, then will proceed to burial at LaGrange

At the Aqsa School, lower level, 7361 W. 92nd St., Bridgeview, IL, Monday evening.

Tariq may be reached at tismail2000@yahoo.com

AAMW: Suspect wanted in Sat. Nov. 1, 2008 Bridgeview Slaying

BRIDGEVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE

The Bridgeview Police Department and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force are investigating a homicide, which occurred on November 01, 2008 at the Middle Eastern Financial Services located at 7323 W. 87th St, in which a female employee of Middle Eastern Financial was fatally shot.

It is requested that the below information be broadcasted to your listeners, viewers and readers informing them of this incident and providing them with information regarding the suspect and vehicle involved.

The suspect is described as a white male possibly of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern decent approximately 40 to 50 years of age, between 5ft 7inches to 5ft 10inches tall weighing between 200 to 230lbs. The suspect walks with a slight limp. The suspect’s vehicle is described as a newer model, charcoal colored Toyota 4 Runner Sport. The vehicle has a luggage rack, a hood scoop and 6 point rims. The vehicle also has driver and passenger side running boards with unknown Illinois registration, possibly with handicapped registration.

The Bridgeview Police Department asks your listeners, viewers and readers that if they have any information regarding this incident to please contact the Bridgeview Police Department at 708-458-2131.





















Suspect's Vehicle


Picture of suspect taken from the store's video camera equipment