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AL-BUSTAN NEWS

Covering Philadelphia’s Southwest Asian and North African Communities

Featured
‘We Can’t Afford Mistakes’: The Human Toll of the Crisis in Immigration Advocacy
‘We Can’t Afford Mistakes’: The Human Toll of the Crisis in Immigration Advocacy

By Lauren Abunassar

Today, the advocacy landscape is less about idealism and more about triage, grit and the endurance of caring under pressure.

Art as Resistance | At Philadelphia’s First Muslim Arts Festival, Beauty Is a Form of Cultural Power
Art as Resistance | At Philadelphia’s First Muslim Arts Festival, Beauty Is a Form of Cultural Power

By Lauren Abunassar

“Talking about art and creativity is not secondary or tertiary to Islam. It’s primary to Islam. There is a place in Islam for levity. There is a place for celebrating beauty.”

Cinema, Etcetera | Where is the Arab American Film Wave?
Cinema, Etcetera | Where is the Arab American Film Wave?

By Joseph Fahim

The cornerstone of works by diaspora filmmakers is identity and alienation, and intricate community dynamics in relation to diverse American environments. In the scant body of work by Arab Americans, these issues have never surpassed an elementary examination.

Featured
Art as Resistance | At Philadelphia’s First Muslim Arts Festival, Beauty Is a Form of Cultural Power
Art as Resistance | At Philadelphia’s First Muslim Arts Festival, Beauty Is a Form of Cultural Power

By Lauren Abunassar

“Talking about art and creativity is not secondary or tertiary to Islam. It’s primary to Islam. There is a place in Islam for levity. There is a place for celebrating beauty.”

Cinema, Etcetera | Where is the Arab American Film Wave?
Cinema, Etcetera | Where is the Arab American Film Wave?

By Joseph Fahim

The cornerstone of works by diaspora filmmakers is identity and alienation, and intricate community dynamics in relation to diverse American environments. In the scant body of work by Arab Americans, these issues have never surpassed an elementary examination.

Hilarious Habibis Bring Their Comedy Message to Philly: Arab Humor Isn’t Niche, It’s Just Funny
Hilarious Habibis Bring Their Comedy Message to Philly: Arab Humor Isn’t Niche, It’s Just Funny

By Gawhara Abou-eid

All evening, the sold-out venue felt like a citywide inside joke finally getting told out loud. 

ARTS & CULTURE

Featured
Za’atar and Olive Oil: Fishtown Native Serves Flavors from His Childhood at The Olive Branch Pizzeria
Za’atar and Olive Oil: Fishtown Native Serves Flavors from His Childhood at The Olive Branch Pizzeria

By Ben Bennett

“It’s just a Palestinian’s addiction. You just know [when] you go to your parents’ house, you’ll have a couple big jugs of homemade olive oil.”

‘We Take Care of Each Other’: The Treasured Cafés of South Philly’s North African Community (Video)
‘We Take Care of Each Other’: The Treasured Cafés of South Philly’s North African Community (Video)

By Kenza Bousseloub

At three cafés in South Philadelphia, North African men gather for coffee, company and Kabyle music.

Interactive | Mapping SWANA Philly
Interactive | Mapping SWANA Philly

By Ben Bennett

The 2030 census will include a new racial category: ‘MENA’. Until then, these interactive maps, based on data from the Pew Research Center, show where some of Philadelphia’s SWANA communities have settled.

COMMUNITY

Featured
‘We Can’t Afford Mistakes’: The Human Toll of the Crisis in Immigration Advocacy
‘We Can’t Afford Mistakes’: The Human Toll of the Crisis in Immigration Advocacy

By Lauren Abunassar

Today, the advocacy landscape is less about idealism and more about triage, grit and the endurance of caring under pressure.

Sudanese Activist Amina Ibrahim Uses Henna to Tell Her Country’s Story
Sudanese Activist Amina Ibrahim Uses Henna to Tell Her Country’s Story

By Elissa Odeh

“It’s one thing to go to protests and give presentations, but to be able to help my people through henna — and for this business to be recognized as advocacy, as power for the people — that’s something truly meaningful.”

Op-Ed | Beyond Ceasefire: What is Next for Palestine Solidarity?
Op-Ed | Beyond Ceasefire: What is Next for Palestine Solidarity?

Within the context of organizing, the problem with ceasefires is that they feel like victory. If the problem is defined as "too much killing," then less killing appears to be progress. But the "quiet" periods between military assaults are also a form of violence.

POLITICS