Pick up the new CD by Ferras with "Hollywood's Not America," featured on American Idol

By: Nadia Gergis

FLORIDA -  MAY 7 2008, (Arabisto.com): I've discovered my new fave singer Ferras, courtesy of VH1. Low and behold, the guy is half Jordanian!

Ferras (Alqaisi) has already been featured on American Idol and is signed with major record label EMI's Capitol Music Group. His album Aliens and Rainbows was released last month.

According to a wikipedia posting, Ferras has a somewhat mysterious background. 
 


More importantly though, here is his latest song called "Hollywood's Not America," which has been featured on American Idol.
 

So support your fellow Arab-American and pick up his CD, you won't be disappointed.

Paris Hilton Belly Dancing in Turkey

By: Nadia Gergis


FLORIDA -  March 28 2008, (Arabisto.com):


Now this is great for a Friday laugh. Paris Hilton was in Turkey for the Miss Turkey 2008 pageant and was compelled to show the world her belly dancing skills.




Paris was on hand to be part of the jury and I am assuming a fat paycheck. Close Paris, but no cigar. I'll give her credit though, at least she tried. And unlike other celebrities, this shows she isn't allergic to vacationing in a predominantly Muslim county.

Justin Timberlake says goodbye in Abu Dhabi

By: Nadia Gergis
 

FLORIDA, November 20 2007, (Arabisto.com):

The tallest building in the world Burj Dubai tower will be home to some of the swankiest luxury apartments in the world.


 
If you're a diehard fan of Giorgio Armani, you can buy one of his new 144 apartments that will be made available to fashionistas interested in plunking down some mega bucks at the Burj Dubai.

 
According to according to the Financial Times of London, units will cost between $2.5 million and $5.5 million. Not bad since most will likely come fully designed from Armani's furnishings division -- buyers will have their choice of colors. 
 

Evidently, Armani will also open the Armani Dubai hotel in the same building in 2008. And it seems like he can't get enough of the Mid-East -- he has another project called the Armani resort scheduled for Morocco in 2009.
 

Speaking of Armani suits and fashion icons ...
 

Justin Timberlake, who chooses to only wear suits on his current world tour, has disappointed some Gulf fans in Dubai. Seems like his closing world tour show will end in Abu Dhabi, that other city in the UAE. Marvelous feat for the Abu Dhabis … ahhh the rivalry between the two cities continue.

And those that will returning back to Egypt this December, it's a little early for Christmas, but a wonderful time of year for Sharm expedition. Buy your :: TIESTO:: tickets now at Noos Karting, Olympic Village at the Sharm International Carnival in Sharm El Sheikh. [Read More]

Eid Mubarak

Arabisto.com offers wishes of peace and joy to everyone who is celebrating Eid al-Fitr. This joyous holiday is observed by Muslims throughout the world and symbolizes the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Our writers and staff are committed to building bridges of understanding between Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Please join our efforts to promote justice and peace in the Middle East. Let's all work together to strengthen bridges among the three Abrahamic faiths.

A letter to Arabisto.com readers: Support the OneVoice Movement

By: Nadia Gergis

NEW YORK -- October 2, 2007 (Arabisto.com):

Arabisto.com was founded in September 2006 and since then I have always refrained from asking Arabisto.com readers to support, join or endorse any agencies and their endeavors for peace.

Today I ask, and hope that you can understand why OneVoice has my complete support. I hope that you will also join the OneVoice Movement and sign the OneVoice Mandate.

Last week while on vacation in New York, I had a chance to meet and speak to Daniel Lubetzky --founder of PeaceWorks Holdings LLC, who oversees the The PeaceWorks Foundation and The OneVoice Movement.

Thank you Daniel and Leah from Accidentally Jewish for the kind invitation to ThinkTank and for giving Arabisto.com the opportunity to meet like minded bloggers.

Mr. Lubetzky needs our help to tell the Israeli Knesset and the Palestinian Legislative Council that by this time next year, the two sides must agree to a two-state solution. Lubetzky and the OneVoice Mandate calls on Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert to start immediate, uninterrupted negotiations until a comprehensive two-state solution is reached.

OneVoice aims to get to a million citizen signature to their mandate/petition by the end of 2007.

By signing the “OneVoice Mandate” – wh... [Read More]

Rosie O' Donnell in Jerusalem?


FLORIDA, Sept. 15 (Arabisto.com): Check out Rosie O' Donnell in Jerusalem. The man in the picture with the Donkey is obviously Palestinian.

Perez Hilton reports that she may have converted to Kabbalah because of her longtime buddy Madonna.

According to this report from the AP, Ashton Kutcher, his wife Demi Moore, Rosie O'Donnell, and clothing designer Donna Karan have all joined Madonna on a trip for the Jewish new year holiday Rosh Hashana.

Not sure what to think of it all. The poetry makes a lot of religious references to "the light" and holy books -- which does sound very Catholic.

Makes me wonder … hmmm ... 

Khalil Gibran International Academy opens today amid controversy in New York



I just had to post this afet reading this quote from Carmen Colon, who is sending her son to the Khalil Gibran International Academy -- 



"I know for a fact that any American who learns Arabic will make tons of money," she told CNN, "whether it's translation, or in the customer service area."


-- Carmen, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but trust not all Arabs make "tons on money."



Here's the actual story from From All Headline News.  

The first public school in the U.S. to offer instruction in Arabic opened Tuesday in Brooklyn, New York, to a throng of media attention, threats of violence and public debate.

About a dozen security guards and police officers were on patrol Tuesday for the school's inauguration.

The Khalil Gibran International Academy, according to it's website, aims "to prepare students for college and successful careers and to foster an understanding of different cultures, a love of learning, and desire for excellence in all of its students."

Some critics, including those that formed group "Stop the Madrassa," to protest the academy, fear it will promote radical Islam and prevent Muslim children from assimilating into American culture. Other, more radical opponents, have even posted violent threats on right-wing blogs.

But to Carmen Colon, who is sending her son to the school, the opening of the academy is giving her th... [Read More]