Guest Feature: Albert Mokhiber

We’ve seen the images and read stories about the devastating earthquake that severely impacted Turkey and Syria earlier this week. It’s incredibly heartbreaking to say the least.

I’m sharing here a list of resources for people to donate and help, which is the least we can do (there are plenty more listed here as well):

• Molham: In 2012, Molham Team was founded by a group of dedicated Syrian university students - young men and women who sensed the suffering of fellow Syrians who became refugees in neighbouring countries; namely Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.

• Syrian American Medical Society: The Syrian American Medical Society is a relief organization working on the front lines of the crisis. They continue to service the area though at least one of their hospitals has been closed due to damages caused by the temblors.

• AKUT: AKUT is entirely a voluntary, non-governmental organization in Turkey involved in searching, assisting and rescuing all who require aid within its authority and means, in mountain or other nature-related accidents, natural disasters and all other emergency conditions by means of trained, disciplined, high-standard personnel and equipment, passing on knowledge to society with no political affiliation.

• Turkish Red Crescent: Providing aid for needy and defenseless people in disasters and usual periods as a proactive organization, developing cooperation in the society, providing safe blood and decreasing vulnerability.

• The White Helmets: The White Helmets, a nonprofit organization made up of 3,000 volunteers who help the Syrian community, said they need more equipment and supplies to continue numerous search and rescue operations in the region.

For anyone reading this that has been directly impacted, I sincerely hope you and your loved ones are physically safe and at least holding up emotionally. And however I or this newsletter can be helpful, please do reach out and know that I will do what I can to be supportive.

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Okay friends, let’s get right into it. I am so excited to introduce this week’s guest feature: Albert Mokhiber!

Albert is an attorney in the Washington DC area with an extensive background in immigration, government affairs, political consulting and public relations. A partner in the law firm, Mokhiber & Moretti, PLLC, Albert has an international practice dealing with individual and corporate clients concentrating in areas of administrative, corporate, international and immigration law.

Albert served as national president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) from September 1990 to October 1994. In that capacity he has represented ADC in public and private forums across the United States, Europe and the Middle East and North Africa on issues ranging from civil rights, human rights, international relations, and expanding markets. He represented ADC before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case of St. Francis College v. Al-Khazraji which held that Arab-Americans were entitled to full protection under the Civil Rights Act.

Albert holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and History from the State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton and a Juris Doctorate from the SUNY Buffalo Faculty of Law and Jurisprudence. He is licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court and in the states of New York, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Albert is the fourth generation of Lebanese-Americans in his family, who emigrated at the beginning of the last century.

WOW! What hasn’t Albert done? And clearly, since he is the third member of the Mokhiber family to be part of the newsletter (shout out to Anees and Laila) I have a lot of love and admiration for them. And truly, it is an honor to have Albert share some of his go-to music:

1. What is your favorite song right now?

As a stereotypical proud Arab dad, I of course would have to include any of my son Anees’ tunes including, “Leave Me” and “Brown Kid”.

Another favorite, although released in 2017, is “El Huerfanito”, a song off the Hanine y son Cubano album and a beautiful fusion of Afro-Cubano-Araby music.

2. What’s your go-to song for all your feels?

“Moondance” by Van Morrison is a majestic love song that has withstood the test of time and sure to evoke positive vibes.

3. Name a song that reminds you of home.

“Angel” by Jimi Hendrix. And of course any tunes by him, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and the Allman Brothers — all popular performers from my youth.

Every hafli or mahrajan in Niagara Falls when I was young had live Arabic music. Two songs that were always played and fondly remembered by me were “El Qamh El Leil” by Abdel Wahab and “Zorouni Kol Sana Mara” by Fairouz. 

These wonderful events had a huge influence on me and my brothers when would spontaneously play tunes on the keyboards, bass, and derebecki at weddings with an Arabic/west twist as the Beirut Blues Brothers.  We were unknowingly early advancers of what we today refer to as fusion. 

4. Name a song you know all the words to.

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver, which our family always sang on the way to my cousin’s farm in West Virginia.

5. Name a song that gets you really hype and ready to go.

Being from Niagara Falls, the Buffalo Bills Shout Song is certainly an anthem that reminds me of home, especially when song in loud unison every Sunday with family and fellow fans. Go Bills!!!

Big shout out to Albert for joining and sharing his song selections! All of Albert’s songs will be included in this week’s playlist, so be sure to take a listen. Be sure to follow Albert on Twitter and keep up with all of the amazing work he’s doing for the community!

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What I’m Listening To

Full Playlist

🎧 Middle Eastern, North African, & Diaspora Flows 🎧

• 3enek - MarSimba

• Betshoof Alamat - Nouran AbuTaleb

• Lala Ghita - Beldia - Ta Ha & Zamane

• Tudo Bem - Bimbim featuring 7liwa

• Dini M3ak - kouz1 featuring Douaa Lahyoui

• MIA - Adam Nabeel featuring Zirra

• I’m From Here - Amal Murkus

• Tiger Girl - Terouz

• Saba7 El Khair - Abyusif featuring Abo El Anwar

• Arab Shaolin - Bella Loud featuring Badkid

• Bouhali - Issam Kamal featuring Mazagan

• B3id - Joujma

• Youm Wara Youm - Mortadha Ftiti

• Ya Habibi Janbik - Bahjat

• 3adi - Ayoub Africano featuring Madara

• Enty - Faris Al Balad

• Qui sait? - Niro featuring ElGrandeToto

• Korsi - Tamer Nafar

• ras alsanna - Nabeel

• SAH - Flenn

🎤 Latinx & Hispanic Vibes 🎤

• Después Del Party - Dalex

• dale Play - RaiNao featuring paopao

• Playlist - RENEE

• Clima - Yamal featuring Dyland and Jay Lee

• Una Rosa Roja - Celia Cruz

• Leave While I Love You - Sabrina Claudio

• Herrera - YEИDRY

• LE DOY DE 20 MIL - El Alfa featuring Prince Royce

• Chulo - Bad Gyal

• Noche No Te Vayas - Daphne Michelle

🎼 Other Good Music 🎼

• Special - Lizzo featuring SZA

• Bienvenue - DJ Neptune featuring Ruger

• This Is - Ella Mai

• Leo Ni Wewe - Watu Fresh

• Sability - Ayra Starr

• Way That We Feel - TOI featuring Zoe Moon

• Do U Really? - Lyn Lapid featuring Ruth B.

• No Games - Angel featuring IQ, Haile, and WSTRN

• MOTO - Lojay

• exodus the north star - Yaya Bey

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What I’m Reading

🇱🇧 Lebanon 🇱🇧

• 'We thought it was another Aug. 4th': Lebanon shaken by powerful earthquake - Ghadir Hamadi, L’Orient Today

  Lebanese caretaker interior minister says no casualties have been reported and calls on residents "to evacuate dilapidated buildings if cracks are apparent, to avoid a new disaster."

• Land without milk or honey: Lebanese infants ill-fed as subsidies for baby formula withdrawn - Dana Hourany, The New Arab

  As a result of the government's decision to lift subsidies on baby formula, many Lebanese families are struggling to nourish their infants adequately, with the fundamental right of a healthy upbringing now becoming a luxury for most Lebanese families.

• Re-opening of Beirut blast probe reignites feud inside Lebanon’s judiciary - Raya Jalabi, Financial Times

  Stalled investigation has been mired by accusations of interference and rows over role of judges.

• The Sajeria: The Lebanese snack takes Amsterdam by storm while supporting local Lebanese products - Farah-Silvana Kanaan, L’Orient Today

  The history of The Lebanese Sajeria, a restaurant based in the Netherlands, is a story of fate, love and tenacity.

• Intercepted at Sea: The Deadly Reality of Border Control (Part 1 of 3) - Yara El Murr, The Public Source

  This is Part 1 of a three-part series examining the human cost of border enforcement.

🌍 Middle East, North Africa, & Diaspora 🌎

• The Unbearable Plight of Syrians - Kim Ghattas, The Atlantic

  After civil war and now a natural disaster, the country’s northwest desperately needs international aid, even if it’s hard to deliver.

• In West Bank, last vinyl repairman preserves musical heritage - Gareth Browne, Agence France-Presse

  "The modern singers do not know what they sing. The old singers, they summon what is deep within us and they revive our heritage.”

• Iraqis protest gender violence after YouTube star killed - Ali Abdul-Hassan and Salar Salim, Associated Press

  Dozens of Iraqi protesters gathered Sunday to decry the so-called “honor killing” of a 22-year-old YouTube star who was allegedly strangled by her father, adding fuel to calls for legal reforms protecting women.

• Tunisians struggle with prices and shortages as economy worsens - Jihed Abidellaoui, Reuters

  "People are no longer happy and cannot even laugh. Everything is difficult. If you laugh now, you feel bad.”

• Iran protesters released from prison wrestle with fear and trauma - Miriam Berger and Sanam Mahoozi, The Washington Post

  Mass detentions of Iranian protesters have taken a heavy physical and psychological toll on the people cycling through prison.

🎶 Music, Arts, & Culture 🎶

• Marwan Moussa is hungry for more - Nasri Atallah, Esquire Middle East

  The multi-award-winning Egyptian rapper has millions of fans. He portrays himself as a chill, laid-back guy stumbling into projects. The reality is, he’s got a plan for global success.

• Fit for a royal: Rehabilitating Beirut's abandoned cinemas from the 1950s - Rodayna Raydan, The New Arab

  Efforts to preserve Beirut's once-glistening cultural scene are needed now more than ever as the city descends into a dilapidated ruin. Answering this call, a new generation of artists has stepped in to protect iconic sites like the Cinema Royal.

• "Maintaining the Essence”: Tomb is Taking Levantine-Inspired Club Music to the Next Level - Fraser Dahdouh, Mixmag

  Upon the release of his Hessle Audio debut, Toumba shares an exclusive mix and speaks to Fraser Dahdouh about dance music in Jordan and the difference between grassroots and diaspora scenes.

• Beyoncé tour sales are off to a smoother start. What does that mean for Ticketmaster? - Rachel Treisman, NPR

  The ticketing giant has come under renewed scrutiny from music fans and lawmakers in recent months.

• Beyoncé’s legacy is cemented with or without an album of the year award - J’na Jefferson, Andscape

  The singer made history at the 65th Grammys, but the awards show still struggles with properly honoring Black artists.

📚 Other Reads 📚

• LeBron, Kareem, and the Secrets to Greatness - Mirin Fader, The Ringer

  How did two of the game’s greatest scorers stay dominant for so long? We spoke with players and coaches who observed LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar up close and had a behind-the-scenes look at their similarities.

• You’re Good at Your Job, but Are You ‘Fun’ Enough? - Callum Borchers, The Wall Street Journal

  Some bosses believe in-person bonding is more important than ever in a hybrid work era. Mandatory fun time with colleagues fills a lot of people with dread.

• Why Everyone Feels Like They’re Faking It - Leslie Jamison, The New Yorker

  The concept of Impostor Syndrome has become ubiquitous. Critics, and even the idea’s originators, question its value.

• The radical, forgotten experiment in educational integration that changed my life - Peter Tomsen, The Boston Globe

  In 1971, kids from Roxbury and Lincoln spent half the year attending school together in the city and the other half in the suburb. Fifty years later, I tracked down my fellow students to see how it shaped them — and whether something like it could work today.

• How a woman-owned, immigrant-led marketplace kept business, and community, through Covid - Frances Nguyen, Prism

  The women behind La Cocina Municipal Marketplace model a system of community support that has helped their businesses survive in one of the toughest markets in the country.