DEARBORN – “We need to engage in a real and substantive discussion, in a dialogue that doesn’t muzzle people or stifle any debate,”  said Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, to open his lecture at Henry Ford Community College on Wednesday, November 3.

The Arab American News’ publisher, Osama Siblani, spoke on the history of the paper, which began in 1984. PHOTO: Jessica Barrow/TAAN

Siblani spoke to a group of students, professors, and administrators including HFCC President Dr. Gail Mee at Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) on Wednesday about the role of ethnic media in America and the history of his Dearborn-based newspaper, the country’s biggest and oldest Arab American publication, that was established in 1984.

“Neil Shine once wrote that ethnic media is the backbone of mainstream media,” he said, referring to the late Detroit Free Press publisher. Siblani compared immigrants in America to those in other nations, referring to a question he had once been asked by a European reporter regarding the ability of Arab Americans and American Muslims to assimilate into America while maintaining their culture and religion.

“America is different than any other nation.” he said. “America is a nation of immigrants. Look at us in this room, our faces and our colors. In this Detroit area we have at least 63 ethnic groups, 17 or 18 groups in Dearborn alone. Because of this mosaic that we are comprise, it should be reflected in ethnic media.”

Siblani was not always in the journalism field. Dr. Hashem Al-Tawil, professor of  art history at HFCC, introduced Siblani, telling of Siblani’s background in engineering, which is what he received his degree in from the University of Detroit Mercy.

“A love and passion from journalism took him away from there,” said Al-Tawil.  “He is a vigilant reporter and guardian of the Arab American media.”

Siblani said his change in career came from both a passion and a need.

Siblani told the students of a visit he made to Lebanon in 1982, right after he had a house built for his mother. It was in June of 1982 that Israel invaded Lebanon, he was in Paris when he heard about the attack four days later, and he also learned that the house he had built for his mother was destroyed.

Siblani said he read the New York Times, and he watched the news, waiting to hear viewpoints of the events. He waited to hear a single voice criticizing the actions of the Israelis or to merely give an Arab perspective.

“It was personal since they destroyed my mother’s house,” Siblani said.  “I was waiting for another point of view, unfortunately it never came.”

It was at that point that he decided to allow others to see another point of view. And in 1984 he published The Arab American News.

Siblani told students that his publication had  a two-fold purpose. First was to address issues and concerns  in the Arab American community and create a dialogue among Arab Americans. Second he wanted to generate a discussion in America. He wanted a place where Americans could reach out to the Arab American community to understand what issues they have, and where they stand on those issues.

“This portion of our work, far exceeds publishing a physical newspaper in Dearborn in its accomplishments,” Siblani said. “If we are a nation of immigrants, no one knows our community better than us. We have answers, and if don’t have answers to their questions, we know where to go in the community to find those answers.”

Siblani also took the time to explain various organizations in the Arab American community to students who were not familiar, including the Arab American Political Action Committee, American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

He also addressed the difficult topics, including some of his political leanings, and reactions to the September 11, 2001 attacks.

“September 11 brought about an important question. Why? Why did they attack our country?” Siblani pushed for  engaging in a discussions which can help heal tensions and resolve issues. “Not looking for a justification, or an explanation of what they did, but just an answer. Why?”

Although Siblani did not hold back from saying that he was not objective when it came to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, he was adamant about the credibility of his publication when questioned by a student.

“My credibility comes from my readers, and from the fact that I tell the truth. My paper is far more diverse than most newsrooms,” Siblani told students of his newsroom staff  and contributing writer staff which includes  several Arab American reporters from various countries, Americans, Chaldeans, Christians and Muslims. “We are more diverse than the Free Press,” he said.

Khia Bonner was one of the students who attended the lecture to assist in her understanding the Arab American culture for a class discussing Islamic art.

“I was not really fluent on the subject. It really opened my eyes to a lot of things, including knowing that blacks are not the only ones discriminated against,” she said.

“The thing I like most is to address college students,” Siblani said. “You are the future leaders and the ones who will make a difference in our lives. The dynamics of our nation start on college campuses.”