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RAMADAN is approaching and the sacred Islamic Month deserves respect in the US
Too many extremists in American society cite Ramadan as being unAmerican, but in fact Ramadan is VERY American. It symbolizes exactly what America is supposed to be about, the ability of every American to observe their religious beliefs without imposing on others. Every year, Muslims observe Ramadan, which is based on the lunar calendar (very similar to the holidays of Jews and Orthodox Christians). During the month, Muslims fast during the day to remember their religious beliefs and to do good. At the end of the 30 days, Muslims gather for a celebrationc alled the "Eid" which is merely an Arabic word for "Holiday." It is the Eid al Udha or High Holiday for Muslims. The proper greeting for Muslims during this period is "Ramadan Mubarak," if you would like to broaden your horizons and learn another language. It means Ramadan holiday greetings in English. You can also say "Eid Mubarak" which means congratulations on your holiday. Islam and Muslims are a part of the Judeo-Christian religious covenant with God. (Allah is merely an Arabic word for God.) There are extremists among the Muslims who have used their religion to drive radical political agendas that include violence, but then, there are Christians and Jews who also have used their religions to drive their political agendas, also embracing violence. No religion is free of exploitation, but it seems Americans sometimes only focus on the problems of the handful of Islamic extremists. They shouldn't. Respecting Muslims is the Jewish and Christian thing to do. As Jews and Christians, we should support our Muslims friends and neighbors and respect their religious beliefs as we ask them to respect our. Ramadan Mubarak and Eid Mubarak to our Muslim friends this important Ramadan season. God willing, we will all one day live in peace and mutual respect. It would be great to begin in this country which asserts itself to be the leader of a world free to observe religious and political beliefs. (Ray Hanania is an award winning columnist, author and radio talk show host based in Chicago. He can be reached at www.RadioChicagoland.com. Offered by the Arab American Writers Group Syndicate. www.ArabWritersGroup.com. He is the publisher of the National Arab American Times.) (To read more of Ray's columns, visit www.hanania.com.)
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Chicago – A unique troupe of Christian Arab standup comedians will be the featured entertainment at a benefit to be held for the Honorable Nadia Hilou, a Christian Palestinian Arab member of the Israeli Knesset with the Labor Party on Wednesday October 8, 2008 at the historic Oak Park Arts Center.
New America Media report on the Hip-Hop phenomena in American Arab and Palestinian community. 
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