Chicago radio host Ray Hanania and Dearborn radio host Laila alHusinni Friday linked their two radio shows creating an American Arab and American Muslim first, bringing Arabs, Middle Easterners and mainstream Americans together to discuss Middle East issues in one regional forum.
Hanania. an award winning journalist and columnist with both the Israeli Jerusalem Post newspaper and the leading Palestinian online news site, PalestineNote.com, is the host of Radio Chicagoland which broadcasts from 8 until 9:30 am (Central) Monday thru Thursday and 7 to 9 am on Fridays on WJJG 1530 AM Radio.
AlHusinni is an accomplished Dearborn based journalist who has hosted Good Morning Michigan Monday, Wednesday thru Friday from 8 until 9 am (Eastern) on WNZK 690 AM Radio for more than five years.
The two professional journalists have combined their Friday morning shows (7 am in Chicago and 8 am in Dearborn) to broadcast one hour dedicated solely to Middle East and Arab issues. The radio program is called "Radio Baladi." (www.RadioBaladi.com)
Hanania is a Christian Palestinian whose family originates in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. AlHusinni is from Syria, living in the United States more than a decade.
The first show was broadcast on Friday Feb. 12, 2010, and featured a discussion with CAIR Attorney Lena Masri on the issue of Muslim women rights and the hijab. The second segment featured Khaled Almaeena the editor-in-chief of the Riyadh-based Arab News Newspaper, the leading English language newspaper in the Middle East.
Callers to the show originated in Chicago and its suburbs, Dearborn, Windsor Canada, Orlando Florida and Massachusetts.
"The Arab World has failed to properly understand the power of real, professional journalism and professional communications," said Hanania who was named Best Ethnic American Columnist by the New America Media.
"Too often even the best American Arab newspapers are little more than propaganda tools that spout off politics. This partisan activism is transparent to the majority of mainstream Americans and the writing is often ignored or only reaches an Arab or Muslim activism community. Radio Baladi is a professional journalism effort. There are no sacred cows and the truth is what will drive our program. We will not protect nor advance political agendas. We will be open to everyone and hear everyone's views because that is how Americans will come to understand, appreciate and eventually support the just cause of the Arab people."
AlHusinni, who is recognized for her journalism work in Dearborn, agreed saying, "We want to hear all sides. We are not pushing any agenda or political view. We have our opinions but we are open to everyone's opinions, even if we do not agree. By airing everyone's opinions, our audience will be free and will be able to come to conclusions about what is true, what is fair and what is justice."
The show is already receiving rave reviews from Arab community leaders and newspaper around the country.
Newspapers that wish to "partner" with Radio Baladi can publish our advertisement in their publications and in exchange the newspapers and their web sites will be acknowledge at the start and the end of the show. For information on advertising, contact alHusinni at 313 - 570 - 2206.
Click HERE to listen to the first show.
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