AL-BUSTAN NEWS
Covering Philadelphia’s Southwest Asian and North African Communities
Explainer: The ‘Invisible Crisis’ in Sudan
By Ben Bennett
The current conflict in Sudan, now in its third year, is being called “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.” But awareness about the crisis continues to be limited..
As Health Insurance Subsidies Expire, Philadelphia’s Immigrant and Mixed–Status Families Face a Coverage ‘Cliff’
By Gawhara Abou-eid
According to Pennie, for each new enrollment, two people are terminating their coverage, and about 44% of new enrollees have not paid their January premium, suggesting additional dropouts may occur.
‘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
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?
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.
Amid Federal Cuts, Philadelphia Immigrant Aid Groups Fight to Survive New Era of ‘Lawlessness’
By Lauren Abunassar
If this is an era of destruction, it’s also an age of adaptation as organizations like HIAS PA and PIC shift their approaches to embrace collaboration and local advocacy.
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