MBN celebrates Arab-American Heritage Month
MBN commemorated Arab-American Heritage Month with special shows and acquired programming that highlights the rich contributions made by Arab-Americans to the U.S. culture. Alhurra’s Al Youm traveled to Dearborn, Mich., to profile the city and community that is considered the unofficial capital of Arab-Americans. The show explored the millennial generation of Arab-Americans to see if they face the same challenges of earlier generations. From New York, the show examined the Yemeni community and how they are preserving heritage. Al Youm profiled the Center for Arabic Culture in Boston and its work to maintain cultural bridges between East and West. The show also examined the growing hijab business in the U.S. and profiled Arab-American comedians.
Alhurra’s Almajalla profiled TarabRaqs, a four-member family band that merges traditional Middle Eastern music and dance with jazz inspired improvisation. Based in West Virginia, TarabRaqs produces concerts and educational programs to introduce audiences to Middle Eastern music and increase their appreciation of culture. The network also covered the American Task Force for Lebanon Annual Gala Awards and the Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards Gala.
The network is re-airing its critically acclaimed series Americans that takes an extensive look at the rich history of Arab-Americans through a five-part series focusing on Arab-Americans and their lives in the United States. The series highlights their immigration and integration into American society and includes interviews with prominent Arab-Americans such as Congressman Charles Boustany, retired Gen. John Abizaid, actress Kathy Najimy, pollster John Zogby and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala. The network will also air America Bel Araby, where Egyptian satirist Bassam Youssef travels across America to tell the stories of Arabs in America through the eyes of 60 interviewees from all walks of life such as journalists, political activists and cab drivers, featuring their day-to-day lives.
As part of its coverage of Arab-American Heritage Month, Radio Sawa will provide extensive reporting from the National Arab-American Cultural Festival being held in Washington on April 25th. Radio Sawa’s Sawa Magazine interviewed Arab-American community leaders around the Washington, D.C. area about how they celebrate their culture and heritage this month.
MBN’s Digital team focused on U.S. politicians who have Arab roots, highlighting the presence of Arab-Americans in U.S. politics. The feature included profiles of Rep. Darrell Issa, former Sec. Ray Lahood, former Gov. John H. Sununu and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader. The Digital team will also cover Moroccan Days celebration in Alexandria, Va. on April 26th and the National Arab-American Cultural Festival.