Since its inception, The Arab American News has been telling the stories of the community. Now, the  Newseum, a museum for media outlets in Washington D.C., is telling our story. For three decades, we have been trying to provide Arab Americans with their own platform to voice their opinions and raise their concerns. 

The national recognition given to our newspaper is a manifestation of our increased presence on the cultural map of the nation as a community. Our success is yours.

Numerous community organizations have honored The Arab American News over the decades. Our publisher, Osama Siblani, received the Wayne State University Spirit of Diversity Award; and last year he was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. However, our most important award is the product of our work. It is our weekly paper, and all it contains, which tells your stories.

On our path from the first issue to our presence in the Newseum 30 years later, we went through hard circumstances that challenged our survival as a paper. We bid farewell to beloved ones, but still grew with the community and celebrated many achievements along the way. The only constant throughout the years has been our commitment to the truth and the principles of journalism. 

This most recent success is attributed to the relentless work of every person who worked at the paper over the years; for those who supported us and stood by us; and mostly for our readers who are the subjects of our mission and the driving force behind our work.

Despite our pride for what we have achieved, we will not be overtaken by the euphoria of success. We will continue to be ready as ever to amplify the voice of the community, highlight its successes and point out its shortcomings. 

One of our recent covers on display in the Newseum features local Arab American students who were accepted to Harvard. The community’s competence is there for all to see in the nation’s capital. The Arab American News is not showcased by itself at the museum. It is showcased with you, your pictures, your achievements and your struggle.