Pulitzer Center • 30th January 2023

Three Times Too Many

The first time Mohammed went to jail he was 14-years-old. Ayaan said that Israeli soldiers accused him of throwing rocks. They chased him down and tripped him, bashing his head open on a railing. Blood poured from the top of his head. They released him three months later. The second time—on the same offense and three years older—Israelis imprisoned him for six months. But according to Ayaan, the third time was the worst.

Pulitzer Center • 6th December 2022

Rebellion in Resistance: Profile of a Palestinian Educator

Fourteen years ago, Mariam and her husband founded a kindergarten and elementary school with the mission of providing holistic, trauma-informed education to children in the Palestinian town of Al-Eizariya and its surrounding areas. It is the first and only school of its kind in the West Bank to use non-violent and trauma-informed Waldorf education.

The New Arab • 10th November 2022

The Story of Al-Eizariya: Jerusalem's Town Forgotten Behind the Wall

The town of Al-Eizariya is a forgotten place. Once a bustling suburb of East Jerusalem, the town's fate was irrevocably changed after Israeli authorities began the construction of the Apartheid Wall, separating the town from life itself.

Fenjan: The Middle East Journal • 26th February 2021

My Romanticized Ancestry

I had a conversation with my stepmother the other day about Lebanon. I told her how badly I wanted to travel to the country of my heritage and the place it held in my heart. I told her how proud I was to be Lebanese and how important it was to my identity. I told her that being Lebanese is what I am most proud of.

The Best Teen Writing of 2018 • 1st January 2018

Last Words

Received Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Gold Medal in Personal Essay/Memoir and was one of 72 pieces chosen from 350,000 submissions to be published in The Best Teen Writing of 2018.

Arab America • 16th September 2020

Lulu Seikaly Could Be the First Arab Woman To Represent Texas

If elected, Lulu Seikaly (D-TX) will be Texas’ first Arab American congresswoman. The 34-year-old lawyer and first-time politician is up against incumbent Van Taylor (R-TX), whom she describes as “an extension of Donald Trump.” Taylor is one of many white male representatives who have maintained the Third Congressional District’s Republican status for over fifty years.

Arab America • 19th August 2020

Meet Ihssane Leckey: Moroccan-American Candidate for Congress

“I am Ihssane Leckey, Donald Trump’s worst nightmare. A fearless woman of color ready to end corporate greed.” The Moroccan-American former Wall Street regulator is running against eight other Democratic candidates to replace Representative Joe Kennedy III in Massachusetts’ 4th congressional district.

Arab America • 29th July 2020

Palestine Has Never Been on Apple or Google Maps

According to Google Maps, Palestine does not exist. A couple of weeks ago, Apple and Google were accused of removing Palestine from their maps. Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok posts went viral, spreading the false information that Palestine had ever been recognized by two of the most influential tech giants in the world.

Arab America • 14th July 2020

Proud to be Palestinian: Bella Hadid Defends her Heritage

“I am proud to be Palestinian,” supermodel Bella Khair Hadid posted on her Instagram story after the social media platform flagged a photo of her father’s old passport—his birthplace, Palestine.

The Vanguard • 15th June 2020

Why distrust in our government may be the only catalyst for change

“Show me what democracy looks like!” a voice in the marching mass shouted through a speakerphone. Signs held high, we screamed back, “THIS is what democracy looks like!”

Arab America • 17th August 2020

"Moroccan Doll" Dounia: R&B, Feminism, and Body Positivity

With a head of voluminous curly red hair and a blunt in her mouth, Moroccan-American singer-songwriter, Dounia, poses for a mirror selfie—one of the many Instagram posts which characterize her feminist, body-positive platform.

Arab America • 4th August 2020

Writing a Book in 90 Days with Dr. Deborah Al-Najjar

A book? In 90 days? With Dr. Deborah Al-Najjar, it’s possible. Through her company Desire Compass Coaching, Dr. Al-Najjar helps clients complete their Ph.D., change careers, and now, write a book.

Arab America • 23rd July 2020

5 Different Ways to Learn Arabic from the Comfort of Your Home

What better time to learn Arabic than during a pandemic? These five online resources range from iPhone or Android apps to personal tutors to structured curriculums, one of which is guaranteed to fit your schedule and learning style.

Arab America • 9th July 2020

Sarah Hegazy: A Champion for LGBTQ+ Rights in the Arab World

It is illegal to be gay in 71 countries—12 of them are in the Arab World. On June 13, Egyptian LGBTQ+ activist Sarah Hegazy committed suicide at 30-years-old. Three years earlier, Hegazy attended a Mashrou’ Leila concert in Cairo, the lead singer of which is openly gay. With a smile on her face, she waved a rainbow flag—a symbol of pride recognized across the world.

Arab America • 8th July 2020

Dominican Republic Elects a Lebanese President

“Un país para su gente”: “A country for its people.” This was the slogan Luis Rodolfo Abinader used for his 2020 presidential campaign in the Dominican Republic. On Monday, the Lebanese-Dominican businessman won with 53 percent of the vote.

Arab America • 24th June 2020

ABIR: The Arab Pop Princess

“Arab Pop Princess” she is indeed. With over 200 million worldwide streams, 7 million YouTube views, and the Gold hit record, “Finest Hour,” Abir has achieved fame and following at only 25-years-old.

Her Campus • 13th November 2019

The Intersection of Fashion and Activism in the Middle East

As a Lebanese-American woman, avid shopper, and activist, I am always looking to make conscious purchases from Middle Eastern brands. Here are some companies I’ve found that empower women, support local economies, and aid refugees. If you like to both look good and feel good about where you spend your money, check out these five trendy sites!

Her Campus • 28th October 2019

Shopping with a Purpose: Kendra Scott X HC UPenn

“Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy.” These are the three core values that designer, CEO, and philanthropist Kendra Scott (KS) lives and runs her billion-dollar eponymous jewelry company by, according to her website. On the evening of Monday, October 7, Her Campus at UPenn (HC UPenn) brought these values home by partnering with KS to host a pop-up shop to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

16th May 2018

Tough as Nails: A Profile of Kelly Nguyen

BB&N Profile Writing Contest third prize winner, Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Regional Gold Key and National Silver Medal recipient, nominee for the American Voices Award and Best Teen Writing of 2019.

The Vanguard • 21st November 2018

Let's Talk Money

"A lot of discussions that lead to personal growth make us challenge our assumptions, maybe even our assumptions about ourselves. Discomfort is often a byproduct of your assumptions being challenged; it means that you're pushing yourself and trying to be open-minded and allowing the frameworks through which you see the world to change. Change is uncomfortable sometimes."—Ms. Getchell