CHICAGO: Arab American leaders are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence with pride despite concerns over continued discrimination and misunderstanding.
Leaders of several Arab and Muslim organizations told Arab News that they have more freedoms in the US than anywhere else, but continue to struggle against racism, stereotypes and discrimination.
They said the tens of thousands of Arabs and Muslims who have served in the US military prove that the community is strongly patriotic.
“Arabs and Muslims are very proud to be American, and we enthusiastically are celebrating this amazing achievement of 250 years since the founding of this great nation, which has been welcoming to immigrants from throughout the world, including from the Middle East,” Hassan Nijem, president of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, told Arab News.
“Thousands of our people have served this nation in the military, defending it in every war dating back to the Civil War, sacrificing their lives to ensure our country’s survival.
