Arabs and Muslims in America Topics

Democracy Now! stories, posts and pages that relate to Arabs and Muslims in America

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  • Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People

    Where are the human images of Arabs and Arab Americans? That’s the topic of a new film called "Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People." The book and the film explore the American cinematic landscape to reveal a stark pattern of Arab stereotyping and its disturbing similarity to anti-Semitic and other racist caricatures through history. We play excerpts of the film and speak to acclaimed media critic Jack Shaheen, author...
    Oct 19, 2007 | Story

  • As Nation Marks Sixth 9/11 Anniversary, a Look at "Why America is Losing the War on Terror"

    Today marks the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. In the aftermath of the attacks, the Bush administration launched the so-called "war on terror." Is the world a safer place as a result? We speak with Georgetown law professor David Cole, co-author of "Less Safe, Less Free: Why America Is Losing the War on Terror." [includes rush transcript]
    Sep 11, 2007 | Story

  • The Fight for Civil Liberties in the Age of Terror: ACLU Head Anthony Romero on Civilian Killings in Iraq, Domestic Spying, Torture, John Walker Lindh and More

    Anthony Romero, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, joins us to discuss the U.S. killing of civilians in Iraq, psychologists involvement in interrogations, the Bush administration’s warrantless spying program, the case of John Walker Lindh and his new book, "In Defense of Our America: The Fight for Civil Liberties in the Age of Terror." [includes rush transcript]
    Sep 05, 2007 | Story

  • Principal at New NYC Arabic-Language School Forced to Resign

    The principal of New York City’s first public school dedicated to the study of Arabic language and culture resigned under pressure after she was quoted explaining that the word "intifada" literally means "shaking off" in Arabic. Debbie Almontaser’s remarks were in response to a question over the phrase "Intifada NYC," that was printed on T-shirts sold by AWAAM, a Brooklyn-based girl’s empowerment...
    Aug 13, 2007 | Story

  • As Health Deteriorates, Jailed Palestinian Professor Sami Al-Arian Enters 54th Day of Hunger Strike to Protest Indefinite Imprisonment

    Sami Al-Arian is in dire condition. The jailed Palestinian professor has lost over 50 pounds as he enters the 54th day of a hunger strike to protest the circumstances of his continued imprisonment. We speak with his wife, Nahla Al-Arian. [includes rush transcript]
    Mar 16, 2007 | Story

  • EXCLUSIVE: Hunger-Striking Palestinian Professor Sami Al-Arian Speaks Out In First Broadcast Interview of His Four-Year Imprisonment

    In a Democracy Now! exclusive, Sami Al-Arian speaks to us from prison where is on a hunger-strike. The Palestinian professor and activist’s case has been one of the most closely watched — and controversial — post-9/11 prosecutions in the United States. Al-Arian has been jailed despite a jury’s failure to return a single guilty verdict. In the four years since his arrest, Sami Al-Arian has never conducted a broadcast interview–until...
    Feb 07, 2007 | Story

  • The Family Toll: Sami Al-Arian's Daughter on Her Father's Imprisonment

    Laila Al-Arian is Sami Al-Arian’s eldest daughter. She joins us to talk about her father’s imprisonment and its effect on the Al-Arian family. We’re also joined by Sami Al-Arian’s attorney, Peter Erlinder. [includes rush transcript]
    Feb 07, 2007 | Story

  • "American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion"

    Paul Barrett talks about his new book "American Islam" and Asra Nomani recalls how in November 2003 she became the first woman to insist on the right to pray in the male-only main hall of her mosque in West Virginia. [includes rush transcript]
    Feb 05, 2007 | Story

  • Police Entrapment in Terror Case? NYC Subway Bomb Plotter Says He Was Set Up By Paid NYPD Informant

    On Monday, 24 year-old Pakistani immigrant Shahawar Matin Siraj was sentenced to 30 years in prison for plotting to bomb the Herald Square subway station in New York City. Attorneys for Siraj said he was set up by a police informant and that the informant was the one who pushed the bombing. Siraj had no explosives, no timetable for an attack and little understanding about explosives. We speak with Siraj’s defense attorney, Martin Stolar....
    Jan 10, 2007 | Story

  • "I Don't Think We Westerners Care About Muslims" - Robert Fisk Delivers Keynote Address at MPAC Convention

    Veteran war correspondent Robert Fisk of the London Independent recently delivered the keynote address at the sixth annual convention of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. Fisk says, "Do we in fact really understand the extent of injustice in the Middle East? When I finished writing my new book, I realized how amazed I was that after the past 90 years of injustice, betrayal, slaughter, terror, torture, secret policeman and dictators how restrained...
    Dec 20, 2006 | Story