Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Clumns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Toggle search form
  • Police Blotter
    Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run accident
  • Taste of Orland Park 2025
    Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities Events
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt breaking news
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN Blogger
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Threatening FEMA Employees and Law Enforcement Officers Crime
  • SeatGeek Stadium
    Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago Bridgeview
  • OFPD Trustee DJ Jeffers, COmmissioner Mohammed Jaber, Events and Safety Coordinator Betsy Dine and McDonalds Manager Doug Kwiatkowski join about 100 kids who participated at the Frozen with a Firefighter event Wednesday, July 9, 2025
    Frozen with an Orland Firefighter at McDonald’s Events
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Chicago dad’s court victory brought kidnapped daughter home Dads' Rights
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
    Leading members of State’s Gun Violence Prevention Community endorse Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate elections
  • IAM Union Logo
    IAM Union Members at Arrow Gear Ratify Strong Contract After 9 Weeks on Strike Business
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Seven Individuals Charged in Drug and Firearm Investigation Centered on South Side of Chicago Chicago
  • Donna Miller
    Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Launches Congressional Campaign Chicago
  • Mohammed Jaber
    Mohammed Jaber takes Oath of Office for Orland Fire Commission Fire
  • The Orland Fire District responded at 6:51 pm to reports of  smoke coming out of the eves of a four unit townhome in the 10500 block of Illinois Court in the Eagle Ridge subdivision on Saturday August 10th, 2024. 
    Orland Fire District reports several 4th of July fires but no injuries accident
Refat and Miriam Zayed. Photo courtesy of the Zayed family

Miriam Zayed passing mourned by Chicagolands Arab, Muslim community

Posted on October 28, 2018October 29, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Miriam Zayed passing mourned by Chicagolands Arab, Muslim community
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Miriam Zayed passing mourned by Chicagolands Arab, Muslim community

Local activist fought for the rights of Arabs and Muslims in the Chicagoland area and also for the rights of all in mainstream American politics. Miriam Zayed was among one of the first two Arab Americans in Chicagoland to run for public elective office in the early 1990s. Her father was the first Imam in Chicago and her family worked with local Muslim leaders to build the first Mosque in Bridgeview which opened in 1981.

By Ray Hanania

Chicagoland’s Arab and Muslim community is mourning the passing of Miriam Zayed (nee Zayed), an educator, teacher, former candidate for District 230 School Board, community activist and part of the community effort that resulted in the building of the region’s first mosque located in Bridgeview.

Zayed died on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 of natural causes. She was 68 years old. She is survived by her husband Refat Zayed, who is suffering from Alzheimers, her children Dr. Hythem Zayed, Pharmacist Belal Zayed, educator Holly (Zayed) Murad, and Pharmacist Lena Hussien, and by her siblings, Nancy, Zayid, Adele, Heyam, Hanan, Cindy, and Dena. Her brother Yusef passed away several years ago. Her her mother-in-law Zahia Zayed passed away in 2008.

Miriam grew up in Chicago and later Burbank, Illinois. She was inspired by her father who played a key role in the religious health of Chicagoland’s growing Arab and Muslim community. He helped lead the formation of a coalition in 1959 to raise funds to build and open the region’s first Mosque in Bridgeview in 1981. Sheik Zayid served as the Mosque’s first Imam.

A wake was held at the Hann Funeral Home in Bridgeview on Wednesday morning, followed by religious services and commemoration at the Bridgeview Mosque at noon. Interment was at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Lemont. There was an evening memorial service following the burial at the Aqsa School in Bridgeview.

Miriam and Refat Zayed. Photo courtesy of the Zayed family
Miriam and Refat Zayed. Photo courtesy of the Zayed family

In a moving and inspirational sermon, Sheik Jamal Said, the Imam of the Bridgeview Mosque, called Miriam Zayed “a righteous person and community leader” who broke the stereotype against women and worked unselfishly to give the community a voice in this country.

“Miriam was a very inspirational person. She was a dedicated worker for the community as a Palestinian, as an Arab, as a Muslim and as an American,” Sheik Jamal told more than 600 worshipers gathered at the Mosque for the “Zuhr” or midday prayers, and immediately after for the “Janazeh” or wake service prayers for Miriam.

Sheik Jamal added, “Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Bblessings Be Upon Him) was reported to have stated, “The best of people are those who bring the greatest benefit to the most people.” Our sister, Miriam Zayed, possessed this quality which we should all strive to emulate. She cared deeply for everyone she knew, whether you were a relative, friend or a member of the community. She was generous, loving, supportive, and above all, a selfless woman, who always put others before herself. She was a role model in charitableness and kindness. She will be missed by her Masjid, family, and community.”

A resident of Orland Park, Zayed was a school teacher, educator and ran for public office in the 1990s for the District 230 school board. She worked as a CPA and Accountant building her own business. Zayed was also active with the Orland Township Democratic Organization and with the Arab American Democratic Club, organizing public forums to encourage Arab Americans to become engaged in local society, politics and government.

Miriam was also active in national Arab American politics and public service. Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute in Washington D.C., said, “Miriam wanted us to be unified, strong, and successful. She never complained that the challenges we faced were too great and never spoke an unkind word about anyone. She worked to elevate the community, never seeking the limelight for herself. The New Testament reminds us ‘that those who would lead, must first serve.’ This defines Miriam’s commitment to service that made her our irreplaceable leader. Her passing leaves a hurt that won’t be healed and a hole that can’t be filled. All we can do is try to honor her life by following her example.”

Samir Khalil, executive director of the Arab American Democratic Club, said, “The Arab American Democratic Club mourns the passing of an important icon and a great leader of our community. Miriam Khalil Zayed, a daughter, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, a wife, a loyal leader, and a friend to all. She will be missed by everyone who knew her, worked with her, and ever met her. She is a genuine and sincere person, a pillar of our community, and the heart and soul of the AADC. She will be missed by all.”

Miriam Zayed. Photo courtesy of the Zayed family
Miriam Zayed. Photo courtesy of the Zayed family

Salman Aftab, on the board of the American Muslim Task Force which works with the state, county and municipal officials, said he would often see Zayed at meetings he attended, adding, “Miriam Zayed was a great political activist and community leader who had the courage and vision to empower the Arab and Muslim communities. She leaves behind a profound and significant legacy.”

Miriam’s daughter Lena offered a remembrance at the memorial service at the Aqsa School Wednesday afternoon following the burial.

“My mother loved her siblings, parents, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews very much. She was always grateful that you showed her support in everything that she did,” Lena said.

“Whether it was attending the Arab American Democratic Club brunches, the United Holy Land Fund events, the Beitunia Club events, you guys were all there, shoulder to shoulder with her and she was so proud of you all, always introducing you to all of the distinguished people she met and knew along her pathway of life. She did so much for our community near and far that we are so proud of her.”

Miriam and Refat were married on April 11, 1971. Zayed went to Chicago State Universty and later received her Masters Degree from National Louis University in Curriculum Education. She was the first among her famly to attend and graduate from college.

Zayed was active in Illinois politics and was honored by Governors Jim Edgar and George Ryan. Edgar praised Miriam Zayed for her work on behalf of the Arab and Muslim American community and Ryan honored her as one of Illinois’ top teachers and educators. She was also photographed greeting President Barack Obama, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and President Bill Clinton.

(Ray Hanania is a former Chicago City Hall reporter and columnist, and author of the book “Arabs of Chicagoland,” Arcadia Publishing, 2005. He can be reached through his personal website at Hanania.com or at rghanania@gmail.com.)

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run - July 12, 2025
  • Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities - July 12, 2025
  • Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt - July 12, 2025
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, Features, National, News, Obituary, Orland Park, Politics, Racism, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland, women Tags:arab, Bridgeview Mosque, Burbank, community leader, first Imam in Chicago, Miriam Zayed, Muslim, Muslim services, obituary, Orland Park, passing

Post navigation

Previous Post: Longtime Lebanese American activist Jackie Haddad passes
Next Post: Thank a Veteran this week and every week

Related Posts

  • Wolves sack Griffins, in fourth straight hockey league win
    Chicago Wolves beat the Grand Rapids Griffins in 4th straight win Cook County
  • Two slates of candidates running in the Trustee elections in the Village of Orland Park,: on the left the Orland Integrity Party with Carole Griffin Ruzich, Devin Hodge and Kelly O'Brien, and on the right, the People Over Politics slate with Michael Milani, William Healy and Cindy Katsenes.
    Nasty robocalls only hurt Orland Park Blogger
  • Road construction concrete pavement. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    New, improved Weber Road and interchange opened, celebrated in Will County DuPage
  • Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark. Photo courtesy of the City of Harvey
    11 Year-old Harvey resident in critical condition, victim of gun violence Crime
  • Ray Hanania covering Chicago City Hall for the Chicago Sun-Times, 1985-1992. This photo was taken in 1989
    From 8 Years Ago: 30 years isn’t too late to start at Regional News Blogger
  • Making the old sound new News

More Related Articles

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., candidate for President in the 2024 Presidential election. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Robert F. Kennedy slams Fauci and media’s silence on COVID vaccine injuries Baby Boomers
High-tech Santa News
Maria Pappas Cook County Treasurer Office. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Treasurer's office Pappas: 39,100 Property Owners Must Pay Delinquent Taxes to Avoid Sale Chicago
Google Appliance as shown at RSA Expo 2008 in San Francisco. It was only a computer case with no parts inside.-Daniel A (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Google Photos will corrupt your system — avoid it Blogger
Illinois’ Rehab Costs Drain 78.6% of Veterans' Income, Study Shows Illinois veterans spend 78.6 % of income on rehab costs, study shows Crime
Voting sticker from Chicagoland election. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania. Vote. Election Governor vetos bill that would restrict interstate voting checks breaking news

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN
    July 12, 2025
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Chicago parents and other community leaders must work together to make sure this summer isn’t deadly for our children
    July 3, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office
    June 27, 2025
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection
    June 13, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners
    June 13, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban
    June 12, 2025
  • NEWS
  • Police Blotter
    Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run
    July 12, 2025
  • Taste of Orland Park 2025
    Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities
    July 12, 2025
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule
    July 12, 2025
  • SeatGeek Stadium
    Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago
    July 12, 2025
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Taste of Orland Park 2025
    Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities
    July 12, 2025
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt
    July 12, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme