Following this week’s announcement on the passing of The Arab American News’ longtime Executive Editor, Kay Siblani, an outpouring of support and heartfelt condolences were sent by countless groups and individuals. 

The messages illustrate how highly valued Siblani’s life’s work was by the Arab and Muslim communities she spent her life serving, and fighting for.  Siblani, 64, lost her battle with cancer Tuesday, peacefully alongside her loved ones.  

Here are only a few reactions to her passing that show the decades she spent working to uphold human rights and social justice will remain part of her life’s legacy. Some of the paper’s staff also shared their thoughts on the influence she had on them as a friend and colleague:   

“Kay Siblani, a beautiful woman, a passionate activist and a wonderful friend. Her guidance and her sense of commitment, even during her illness is and will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew her. God rest her soul as she will be eternally in our hearts. Rest in peace dear Kay, you have left a legacy for all to cherish, remember and admire.”

— Siham Awada Jaafar

“The Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) extends its deepest condolences to the family of the executive editor of The Arab American News… Kay was more than the editor of The Arab American News.  She was a vital component of the publication since its creation and a staple within the Arab American community in southeast Michigan. Her contributions to the paper and the community at large are immeasurable and invaluable.  During her tenure at The Arab American News, she was a powerful voice and an advocate for Arab and Muslim Americans on local and national issues. The ACRL is truly saddened by the loss of a pillar of this community, who, although not of Arab descent, fought tirelessly for the rights of Arab Americans throughout her 28 years of work within the community.”

— Arab American Civil Rights League 

Kay Siblani’s contributions to the community reach far beyond her work at The Arab American News.  Her legacy will live forever in the number of campaign fliers and documents she wrote and/or edited to help promote important candidates and causes.  She was the unsung hero behind many of the electoral and community successes not the least of which the progress made in Dearborn Public Schools and the buildings erected after the three school bond battles in the early 2000’s.  No one will ever be able to count the number of hours she spent working for and on behalf of our community day and night literally.  There was never an hour we couldn’t call Kay to seek her input on an issue, an article, or a document.  She will be dearly missed because she is simply irreplaceable. God bless her soul. 

— Attorney Abed Hammoud, Former AAPAC President   

“She was an important force who contributed to the progress of Arab Americans, and didn’t really get the recognition she deserved for it. She was loved and well trusted by anyone she came in contact with.” 

—Ismael Ahmed, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Associate Provost

“It was with great sadness that I received word of Kay’s “walking-on.”  While it is good her suffering has ended, I will miss the ability to call upon for support as I did in past years.  I recall meeting Kay in the mid 1990’s when she served on the planning team for an interfaith symposium at the Islamic House of Wisdom, an event which featured national Jewish leader David Saperstein.  Over the years Kay provided me with more kindness than I deserved and the candor I needed.  I believe the many ways she helped the rest of us know of the power and love of Allah, will allow us to connect with that enduring spirit in the days ahead…” 

—Steve Spreitzer, Director of Programs, Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion 

“Marianna Kay Siblani spent much of her adult life serving the community at large when she was working in the healthcare field. Later and for the last 28 years as an executive editor of The Arab American News she served honorably and notably the Arab community. She worked hard and never asked for anything in return. She will be missed. Allah bless her soul.” 

— Ali Baleed, Yemeni American Benevolent Association (YABA)  

“Kay was a smart and wonderful individual, I have known her and worked with her for more than two decades. She was always supportive to our community and in particular to ACC as we together strive to serve the underprivileged and the underserved in our society. Her hard work, dedication and sacrifices greatly contributed to the success and continuity of The Arab American News for the last twenty-eight years. As she passes on, her work will continue to yield great results. They say great people never die, she will always be remembered. God bless her soul.”

— Haifa Fakhouri, President and CEO of the Arab American and Chaldean Council

“On behalf of the Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC) we would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Kay Siblani. After a two year battle against breast cancer, Kay passed away on Tuesday.  Marianna Kay Siblani, served as the executive editor of The Arab American News for the last 28 years. During her time at The Arab American News, she was a powerful voice and an advocate for Arab and Muslim Americans on local and national issues. Her tireless efforts expressed her dedication to the Arab cause.”

— Arab American and Chaldean Council  

“Osama, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to you, your staff, and the family of Kay Siblani on her recent passing. We know that death is not easy to understand, especially when the persons are so dear to you. We are mindful of your loss…Kay was an outstanding administrator, reporter and achiever for your newspaper. She understood both the American and Arabic community here in Michigan and assured that honorable and factual articles appeared in your publication which were written by Kay.”

— Edward Deeb, Michigan Food and Beverage Association and Michigan Business and Professional Association 

“The LAHC extends its sincere condolences to the family of Marianna Kay Siblani, former wife of Arab American News (TAAN) Publisher Osama Siblani and former Executive Editor of TAAN.  She was also a nurse and a staunch advocate for Muslim and Arab American rights. During her time at The Arab American News, she was a powerful voice and an advocate for Arab and Muslim Americans on local and national issues. She has truly been a silent warrior and a tough fighter since the inception of the newspaper, and helped set its foundation so that it will remain strong for decades to come.  

— Lebanese American Heritage Club 

“The LAHC joins the entire community in mourning the loss of Kay Siblani. Kay has always been a friend to the LAHC and has been a  true supporter since our inception, witnessing our development and progress over the years.  She will be missed.  Our prayers go out to her family and friends as they struggle through this difficult time.”

-Ali Jawad, founder of the LAHC

“I am really saddened to learn about the passing of Kay…Kay Siblani was one of the biggest advocates of our issues. She worked tirelessly to advance this community in her capacity at The Arab American News. May God bless her soul and grant her a place in heaven.” 

– Sam Beydoun 

“I’m so sorry for your loss and the community’s. Kay was a tireless advocate, and will surely be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you and her family.” 

— Aimee Blackburn, President, Dearborn Board of Education

 “Deeply sorry for the loss of Kay. She was a fighter for justice and human rights. Kay lived a life of commitment and hard sacrifices.” – — Hassan Jaber, Executive Director, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services

“The loss of Kay grieves us all…God bless her soul.” 

—Hassan Bazzi, President, Dearborn Heights Community Organization 

“Heartbreaking loss of a woman who fought off cancer multiple times, founded a spitfire of an ethnic newspaper that would come to mean everything to its community — and gave me my first reporting job.” 

— Khalil Al-Hajal, MLive.com reporter, former community news reporter for The Arab American News

“I’m very saddened by the passing of my editor, Kay Siblani. She was an inspirational woman, and will always be very special to me. Thanks for reaching out, and guiding me to become a better reporter when I started my first journalism job.  I’ll never forget you for that, or your life’s work that I’ve come to greatly admire over the last few years. You spent your life fighting to give a voice to the voiceless, and  inspired others to do the same. Rest in peace Kay.” 

—Natasha Dado, community news reporter, The Arab American News 

“Kay was the unsung hero who was a great supporter of women’s issues and causes. My condolences to her family and friends, especially The Arab American News family.”  

— Hoda Amine

“I am so sorry for her loss. What a wonderful and vibrant woman.”

— Ali Dagher, Chairman of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce

“A true champion of Freedom! May Kay rest in peace, knowing her life mattered and her work valued.”

— Kenneth Ayouby

“I couldn’t help but remember her encouraging words when I was leaving for Lebanon for broadcast work in 2008, and then her warm welcome when I went back to visit. She was a great woman and an idol for our community. She will definitely be missed.” 

— Elian El-Khamissi 

“She was a generous, loving and caring women who has given a great deal of commitment and love to human rights and this community. May God rest her soul and grant her peace in the hereafter.” 

—Ghassan Hourani

“ADC Michigan extends its deepest condolences to the family of Marianna Kay Siblani and the Arab American News family on their profound loss.  Marianna Kay Siblani was the Executive Editor of The Arab American News for 28 years and has been a powerful voice for the Arab American community.  She passed away peacefully on January 1st, 2013, surrounded by family.” 

– American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Michigan 

“A true warrior with deep faith in the justice of the Palestinian cause… An angel who earned her wings in heaven!”  

— Nafeh Abu Nab 

“The thing that always struck me most about Kay was her intense dedication and commitment to telling the stories of, and helping, the marginalized people of the Arab American and Muslim communities. Her passion for her work came to the forefront in every sentence she spoke within the walls of  The Arab American News, and every one she wrote for 20 plus years. You could tell she took her role as a community servant seriously and was energized by her power to affect change by fighting for justice and exposing the truth. While I only knew her for just under five years, I could tell that the stress of the job had taken its toll. She kept fighting, though, even helping us to  edit and write stories while undergoing extremely debilitating chemotherapy treatments. She gave everything she had to the paper, its readers, employees, and the community, and all of us are better off for her sacrifices today in so many ways.” 

—Nick Meyer, The Arab American News reporter/editor since 2008

“The members and the board of the National American Arab Journalists Association (NAAJA) wish to express their sincere condolences to Osama Siblani, the Arab American News newspaper, and family on the tragic passing this week of Marianna Kay Siblani. Kay Siblani was a respected member of the American Arab journalism community and an editor at the important Arab American News newspaper based in Detroit. Kay Siblani was a professional and her efforts helped to make The Arab American News, one of the best weekly American Arab newspapers in the country. Her role as an editor also challenge the stereotype against women in journalism, breaking the glass ceiling. It is with great sorrow that the members of NAAJA express our condolences on this tragic loss of an icon of American Arab journalism,”

— Ray Hanania, National Coordinator, National Arab American Journalists Association

“Thank you for sharing this information with me about Marianna Kay Siblani. Please accept my condolences on her passing. She played an important role in helping you shape The Arab American News into a pillar of the

Arab-American and general communities.”

— Arthur Horwitz, Jewish News Publisher

“Kay was undergoing chemotherapy when I had become a reporter for The Arab American News,  yet she still found ways to extend her hand out to me several times through phone calls and emails, aiding me with recommendations on how to better my journalism skills. Because of her rich history as a journalist and a community leader, I will forever cherish the input she has given me and will carry it with me as a journalist for years to come. My condolences go out to Kay’s family and friends.”

—Samer Hijazi, community news reporter, The Arab American News

“We are shocked and deeply saddened at the terrible news of Kay’s passing. May Allah grant her eternal peace at his side.  She will be sorely missed by those of us who knew her as well as those who read her always insightful editorials.  Her passing is a huge loss to our community and to the world of journalism.”- — Ron and Mona Amen

“So sorry to hear about passing of Kay. May God bless her soul and give patience to her loved ones. Kay was indeed a pillar in the Arab/Muslim community.” 

— Victor Ghalib Begg, founder of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan

“My sincere condolences to the entire staff of The Arab American News.  Kay made so many contributions to our community with her writings. Personally I am grateful for her encouraging articles about our work at the Islamic House of Wisdom, almost two decades ago.May God bless her soul.” 

— Imam Mohamad Ali Elahi, Islamic House of Wisdom Dearborn Heights

“It is with deep sadness that we report the recent death of a long time media partner. Marianna Kay Siblani, (1948-2013), was the executive editor of The Arab American News, the longest running Arab American weekly newspaper, published in Dearborn, Mich. since its inception in 1984, as well the newspaper’s co-founder. Warmly known to most everyone as Kay, she had been battling aggressive Stage 4 breast cancer for two years. Kay was a powerful voice and a constant advocate for Arab and Muslim Americans, on local and national issues. She was completely devoted to the Arab cause, even though she herself was not of Arab descent.  In February 2010, Kay was selected for a New America Media National Fellowship on aging for her outstanding coverage.”

—New America Media 

“CAIR is saddened by the passing of one of its first staffers, sister Kay Siblani. Siblani worked with CAIR-MI at a very crucial period for the Michigan Muslim community in the time frame of the tragedy of 9/11. We send our sincere condolences to the Siblani family…” 

— Council on American Islamic Relations of Michigan

  

“I am so sorry for your loss. She was a strong yet kind person who will be missed by many. RIP Kay.”

— Suzanne Sareni 

“We are so sorry to hear about the death of Marianna Siblani. It sounds like she had more than her share of illness. We know she lived a very full and meaningful life and loved her job —thatmeans so much. We grieve with you and your staff. Best Wishes.” 

-Delinda Hanley, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs