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 to our readers
We chose the Arab community this month because while their contributions remain mostly under the radar, stereotyping has had a huge impact on the group resulting in a negative backlash. The community is a complex and vibrant one with wonderful diversity in their customs. Even more important in our industry is research that has shown Arab Americans consistently placing above average where it counts: consumer purchasing power. They are an educated group - 82% are high school graduates and 36% have earned undergraduate degrees. The average Arab-American's income is nearly 25 percent higher than the national average. Of course, there's much more to uncover. Take a look! Afwan! You're welcome!
--From all of us at Ameredia
 spotlight on: the arab community
Arab-Americans are recognized as those whose ancestry link them to immigrants from Arabic-speaking locations, roughly 20 countries in Southwest Asia and Northern Africa, a region known primarily as The Middle East. The largest group who identify themselves within this demographic in the U.S. come from Syria, constituting almost 40% of the Arab-American population. Arab immigrants first began arriving in droves during the 1880's and the total population of Arab Americans had reached 1.2 million at the release of the most recent U.S. Census in 2000, representing roughly 0.5 percent of the U.S. population. The count indicated a 40% increase from the previous census in 1990. At the same time, The Arab American Institute estimated the population was even greater, at 3.5 million. By 2000, 46% of Arab-Americans were native U.S. citizens and over half of foreign-born Arabs had become naturalized citizens.
Arab-Americans are spread out quite evenly in locations across all four corners of the United States though 48% of the Arab population is concentrated among 5 distinct states – California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey and New York. 94% of Arab-Americans live in major cities and/or within metropolitan areas. Large clusters exist in NY and Northern New Jersey in communities such as Paterson, Clifton, and Jersey City as well as Brooklyn, NY. There is a now a steadily growing presence in California, particularly in Los Angeles including Orange County as well as in the Silicon Valley section of the San Francisco Bay metro-area. Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Massachusettes, and Pennsylvania claim sizable populations of more than 40,000 in each.
Dearborn
The 2000 Cenus reported the largest percentage of Arab-Americans in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb outside of Detroit where the population reached nearly 30%. Arabic is an accredited foreign language in public schools. The University of Michigan's Dearborn campus boasts one of the nations few Arab American Studies degree concentrations and is supported by The Center for Arab American Studies (CAAS) there. Dearborn is also the home of The Arab American National Museum, The Arab American News, The Arabic American Friendship Center, The National Network for Arab American Communities, The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services and various other community associations.
The general Detroit metro-area contains the largest concentration of Arab-Americans with 403,445 persons recorded, quite a a large number ahead of the 308,295 in the Los Angeles metro-area and 230,899 in New York, the second and third largest populations respectively.
Religion
In the last decade, particularly following the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacts, the Arab World has felt the sting of prejudice and animosty mostly due to fear and misconceptions about the religion of Islam. However, while the majority of the Arab World practices Islam, only about 25% of Arab-Americans are Muslim. Almost 65% are in fact Christians.
Notable Organizations
Arab American Action Network
Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Arab American Institute
Arab American National Museum
Arab Detroit
National Arab American Medical Association
National Council of U.S.-Arab Relations
 to go: community events
Throughout the month of November, festivities are celebrated among the ethnic communities here in the U.S. Go out, experience, and enjoy!
Nov 6: “Romanian Food Festival,” @ Colleyville, Texas
Nov 7: "2009 Arab American Book Award Ceremony," @ Dearborn, MI
Nov 7-9: "Philadelphia International Art Expo" @ Temple University, PA
Nov 15: "8th Florida Turkish Festival" @ Hollywood Beach, FL
Nov. 21: "Sahra" @ MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas
to go: professional events
Want to be more involved in the multicultural professional arena or learn about ethnic markets? Here are some events of interest.
Nov 5: " Women's Leadership Exchange East Coast Summit," @ NYC
Nov 9: "Ayuda for the Arts Gala" @NYC
Nov 11: "MCCA's 10th Annual Creating Pathways to Diversity Conference" @ NYC
Nov 13: "Partnership Awards Gala 2009 @ NYC
Nov 17: "2009 Women's Leadership Exchange Conference and Summit @ Atlanta
Nov 18-21: "Forging New Pathways for Diversity and Inclusion: Building Skills for Collaboration and Dialogue" @ Arlington, VA
 in the news: our clients
Comcast continues to lead the way with the best offers and bundles for new and improved 'HD' Triple Play More...
 about us: agency report
Read more stats regarding the Arab-American community on our site here.
Recent Work: See what we've been up to lately; a peek at our current creative campaigns.
 Honors: AMEREDIA CONTINUES WINNING STREAK AT 2009 MULTICULTURAL MARKETING AWARDS
Ameredia Incorporated received two first-place and one second-place title for marketing tactics devised in various campaigns with Comcast Corporation. Read more.
Updates: We value clients and campaigns. See our client partners.
Sources: United States Census Bureau (2000)
We would love to hear from you! Submit tips and contributions to newsletter@ameredia.com.
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We are of course a nation of differences. Those differences don’t make us weak. They’re the source of our strength. - Jimmy Carter
multicultural snapshot
Eid-al-Adha is a four-day holiday symbolizing the power of faith in the religion of Islam. Observance includes the sacrifice of an animal, a process called the 'Qurban'. The meat is then shared among friends, family, and also donated to the poor. The feast wraps up the holy season after Ramadan and the 'hajj' pilgrimage to Mecca. It is a social time where Muslims attend services at mosques, come together to enjoy food and drink and spend quality time with loved ones.
media sheet
The Arab American News, based in Dearborn, Michigan was first published in 1984 by Osama Siblani. The newspaper covers local and national news highlighting the Arab American experience, addressing issues that face new immigrants and growing families, as well as advocating an authentic Arab point of view. Reporting includes socio-politcial analysis of a broad spectrum affecting the entire Arab World.
bite-sized language
Language is undeniably the single common thread that weaves the diverse Arab-American community together. Arabic is spoken by more than 500 million people around the world. Most Native speakers, over 280 million people, live in the Middle East and North Africa. Arabic is also the language used in the Qu’ran or Koran, the scriptures and text of the religion of Islam.
good eats
There is debate regarding the true origin of baklawa but it is broadly believed that the Assyrians in Iran were the first to create this honey-sweet, layered pastry. Still, most ethnic groups of the Middle East have their unique version and it is one of the most recognizable food recipies among them.
ingredients:
2 cups of honey
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 cup of butter, melted
2 cups of roasted nuts, finely chopped: almonds, pecans, pistachios, and/or walnuts.
1 lb., 16 fillo (phylo) pastry sheets
Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Grease shallow baking pan.
1. Unroll fillo dough and place four sheets at bottom of baking pan. Place a damp cloth on the dough while stacking to keep from drying out, brush each layer lightly with butter.
2. Toss cinnamon and nuts together for the filling. Sprinkle two to three tablespoons of nuts and cover wth two sheets of fillo. Repeat layering dough and nut mix two more times. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares without cutting through bottom layer.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, until golden and crisp.
4. Bring orange rind, cinnamon, sugar and honey to a boil in water. Continue to boil over low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. When baklava has completely finished baking, re-slice squares all the way through the bottom and pour syrup evenly over the top of pastry. Let cool and enjoy!
creative
global calendar
Nov 1: All Saints' Day
Nov 1: Revolution Day (Algeria)
Nov 1-2: Dia de los Muertos "Day of the Dead" (Mexico, Latin America)
Nov 2: All Souls' Day (Roman Catholic)
Nov 6: Obama Day (Kenya)
Nov 15: Proclamation of the Republic (Brazil)
Nov 19: Discovery Day (Puerto Rico)
Nov 27: Eid al-adha (Islamic, Muslim)
Nov 30: Independence Day (Barbados)
archives
See October's newsletter here.
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