Hassan Nijem Archives

Illinois officials offer best wishes to Muslim community at end of Ramadan

March 30, 2025March 30, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Illinois officials offer best wishes to Muslim community at end of Ramadan By Ray Hanania Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, and several officials including from Cook County, the State of Illinois and from officials of the Orland Fire Protection District offered their best wishes to the Muslim American community as they prepared…

Culture, Editors Pick, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Alderman Villegas calls for probe into city targeting of Arab businesses

December 18, 2021December 18, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Chicago Alderman Villegas calls for probe into city targeting of Arab businesses Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas has proposed a City Council investigation into how a Chicago Building Department Task FOrce has been harassing and inspecting small businesses in the inner city of Chicago that apparently has targeted business owners of color, including enforcing Mayor Lori…

Chicago, Government, News, Politics, Racism

American Arab Chamber honors Tabares, Lopez and Pappas with its prestigious annual “Action” Award

December 11, 2021December 12, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

American Arab Chamber honors Tabares, Lopez and Pappas with its prestigious annual “Action” Award The American Arab Chamber of Commerce gave its prestigious annual “Action” Award to three elected officials who went out of their way to defend the rights of Arabs and Muslims in Chicago and Cook County. More than 200 Arab and Muslim community…

Chicago, Cook County, Events, Features, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Mosque Foundation hosts Pappas, Chamber property tax refund program

November 6, 2021November 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mosque Foundation hosts Pappas, Chamber property tax refund program Hundreds of Arab and Muslims property owners participated in a Tax Refund Workshop organized by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and the American Arab Chamber of Commerce Friday Nov. 5, 2021 at the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Illinois. More than $750,000 in refunds have been identified…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, Editors Pick, Features, Government, News, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

One of the Arab Community’s most effective organizations

October 31, 2021November 6, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

One of the Arab Community’s most effective organizations Hassan Nijem of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce has saved 22 Hookah lounges from being closed, helped to force Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to stop her racist closures and discriminatory targeting of Arab store owners, and now has helped Arab American collect property tax refunds of…

Blogger, Business, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

American Arab Chamber of Commerce Illinois fights for business rights

October 3, 2021October 3, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

American Arab Chamber of Commerce Illinois fights for business rights The American Arab Chamber of Commerce of Illinois which is at the forefront of fighting for the rights of Arab American and Muslim American business owners expanded and consolidated its board this week. The board consists of Trustees who have an equal voice in defining…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, Government, immigrant, News, Politics, Racism, Regional Midwest, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

More than $39,000 in property tax overpayments returned to Arab community thanks to Pappas and Arab Chamber

September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

More than $39,000 in property tax overpayments returned to Arab community thanks to Pappas and Arab Chamber American Arab Chamber of Commerce President Hassan Nijem, an “Honorary Cook County Treasurer,” said he is working with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to refund thousands in overpaid property taxes that can be refunded. More than $39,000 was refunded during…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

American Arab Chamber honors Ald. Silvana Tabares

September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

American Arab Chamber honors Ald. Silvana Tabares The American Arab Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday honored Chicago Alderwoman Silvana Tabares for defending the rights of Arab American business owners. Tabares, along with Alderman Matthew O’Shea, adjusted an ordinance intended to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco to young people and children under the age of…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Arab American Hassan Nijem named by Maria Pappas as Deputy Treasurer community liaison

May 15, 2021May 15, 2021 News Editor

Arab American Hassan Nijem named by Maria Pappas as Deputy Treasurer community liaison Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas presents her new informational brochure in Arabic with community leaders on Sunday morning May 16 at Nikos Banquets. In expanding her ethnic and heritage reach out to the community, Pappas also named Nijem to serve as an Arab American…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Journalists and elected officials celebrate Arab American Heritage Month

April 22, 2021July 16, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Journalists and elected officials celebrate Arab American Heritage Month The Arab American Democratic Club hosted a forum of journalists and elected officials and community leaders on Thursday April 22, 2021 to discuss both Ramadan and Arab American Heritage Month (April). The panel included a video message offering both Ramadan Kareem messages and a celebratory salute…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, Editors Pick, elections, Features, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Marie Newman will strive to bring activists and police together

September 5, 2020September 5, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Marie Newman will strive to bring activists and police together Marie Newman, who ousted Congressman Dan Lipinski from office in the Democratic Primary election last March, told a rally hosted by Arab Americans Friday that she will strive to bring police and activists together for the benefit of the community and to fight racism of all…

breaking news, Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Editors Pick, elections, Features, Federal, Government, National, News, Police, Politics, Racism, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

3rd District Congressional Democrat Marie Newman feted by Arab Americans

August 31, 2020August 31, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

3rd District Congressional Democrat Marie Newman feted by Arab Americans Arab and Muslim Americans will organize a rally Sept. 4, Friday for Marie Newman who is the democratic nominee for U.S. Congress in the 3rd Congressional District. The event is hosted by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce and the American Palestinian Club By Ray Hanania…

Chicago, Cook County, elections, Events, Features, Federal, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Dr. Wilson donates face masks to Chicagoland’s Arab American Community

June 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dr. Wilson donates face masks to Chicagoland’s Arab American Community The Willie Wilson Foundation donated thousands of face masks and gloves to members of the Chicagoland Arab American and Muslim Community on Monday during a meeting at the Palestine Club Center in Bridgeview. Wilson has been supporting all of the ethnic communities and the Chicagoland…

Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Editors Pick, General Topics, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicagoland American Arab Chamber to host Iftar with Chicago Police

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicagoland American Arab Chamber to host Iftar with Chicago Police Arab-American Chamber of Commerce to host Ramadan Iftar at Chicago Police Headquarters with Commander Eddie Johnson, former Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson, leaders of Chicagoland’s Muslim, Christian and Jewish faiths What: The Arab American Chamber of Commerce is hosting an interfaith Ramadan iftar –the time Muslims…

Business, Chicago, Government, News, Police, Politics