Work is underway to publish the 6th edition of the Arab-American Almanac, a comprehensive source of reference information on Arab-Americans in the U.S.
The 600-page Almanac is divided into various chapters including: Arab American history; the Arab world's contributions to Western civilization; Arab American organizations; Arab American media; Christian and Muslim religious institutions in America; a Who's Who of Arab-Americans; an outline of facts about the Arab world and the U.S., including reference data and contact information for embassies and consulates, various informational charts; more than 450 current and archival photos; and a bibliography.
No advertising will be included in this edition of the Almanac.
The first edition of the Arab American Almanac series was published in Los Angeles by Joseph R. Haiek, in 1974. It was only 96 pages.
"Due to an acute shortage of reliable reference data and history of Arab-Americans, I ventured to start publishing the Arab American Almanac two years after starting The News Circle/Arab American Affairs magazine," Haiek said recently."It is to help raise awareness, and broaden the reach and availability of pertinent comprehensive reference data and history, thus creating a vital document of historical significance about Arab Americans in the U.S. and shedding light on their achievements and contributions to America."
A lot of long working hours on research and follow up has gone into publishing the Almanac series. News Circle/Arab American Affairs staffers have contacted major Arab American organizations, other media outlets, community leaders and officials.
"We decided to dig new dating back to last century, and we purchased microfilm copies of Arabic newspapers published in New York starting 1892, from the Library of Congress." said Haiek. "We translated from Arabic to English some breakthrough articles and historical facts from the microfilms, and they will be added to the latest edition of Almanac."
The Almanac team has also been busy with additional research, writing, typesetting, reviewing, correcting, designing and printing. When the Almanac is sent to the printer, the team will shift its focus to promote the book nationally with a variety of media sources.
"Our ultimate goal is the dissemination of the Arab-American reference, humanities, and history for researchers, educators, universities, libraries, the press and the public," Haiek says. "The history of Americans of Arab descent is woven within the American ethnic and cultural historical tapestry. As such, the Almanac project is nationally perpetual in its scope, and I urge all ethnic publishers to start similar reference book project to promote and benefit their community."
Marlene Panoyan is a writer for Arab-American Affairs Magazine
Photo of Arab-American Alamanac from www.arab-american-affairs.net
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