As we put this issue of The Arab American News to bed, on Friday, September 7, 2007, we solemnly remember that it is our 23rd anniversary.

When we began The Arab American News 23 years ago, we had no idea a global information revolution was about to begin. Neither, of course, could we forsee the first and second Palestinian intifadas, the first and second Gulf wars, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 ?the anniversary of which we also solemnly observe this week ? or the horrendous attacks that have since been taking place against the religion of Islam.

As we look back over the history of our paper, it indeed seems that the markers along the way have all been pretty negative.

But we persevere. Despite the onslaught of attacks against the constitutionally-protected rights of American residents, we continue to uphold our freedom of speech and freedom of the press. We note with sorrow that these freedoms do not exist in the Arab world and we fervently hope the time will come soon when they do.

From a rented upper flat on Michigan Ave. in 1984, with few staff and very little of experience, to owning our own building today with full time staff and international recognition, it’s been a long and rocky road.

But today we are more secure and the Arab American community has a voice. Where else but in America could we have accomplished this?

The publisher of The Arab American News was prominently featured in BusinessWeek earlier this year. The upcoming issue of The Journalist, the annual publication of the Society of Professional Journalists, will feature an article by the publisher and editor on the role ethnic media can play in today’s America.

Of course we have joined that global information revolution, this week uploading our new and improved website. We invite you to browse it often as it will contain breaking stories and features not always included in the weekly print edition.

As ever, we welcome the input of our readers ? critical and favorable alike ? and pledge to include it in our print and onine editions whenever possible.

We also promise to continue exposing the anti-Palestinian, the anti-Arab, the anti-Muslim and the anti-Amrican groups in this country for what they are, and to continue educating Americans about our culture, our faiths, and our love for this country.

There are challenging years ahead. Let’s move forward together in the hope that the future holds peace.