AMWRRIRaising Awareness Every Day
AMWRRINumber of Interview: RA 14.00
May 29, 2013
Name: Anonymous
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Unknown
Country of Origin: Jordan
Year of Immigration: Born in U.S.
Abstract: Latifa is a second generation woman who has spent the majority of her life in the Milwaukee area. During her interview Latifa stressed the family- oriented lifestyle she is accustomed to and reflected upon the time she spent at after school programs. Latifa recently graduated from college and earned her her Bachelor’s degree. She hopes to continue her education in engineering. Latifa also spoke about the level of comfort she feels as a Muslim woman in her neighborhood and elaborates on how she identifies with the American culture more than the Arab culture although some aspects of Arab culture, such as generosity, stay with her.
Key Themes: education, childhood, parents, identity, goal, language, religion, hijab.
Number of Interview: K 1.00
April 26, 2013
Name: Ala Ismail
Gender: Female
Country of Origin: Palestine
Date of Birth: Unknown
Year of Immigration: Born in U.S.
Abstract: Ala identifies herself as a Muslim American Palestinian. Her parents immigrated from Palestine in 1990 after their wedding. Ala moved to the Milwaukee area after being born in Chicago, Illinois and is the oldest of her 5 siblings. She is a student at Marquette University where she majors in Biological Sciences and Spanish for the Medical Professions. Though Ala’s parents had never attended college, they actively support their children’s education and expect all 6 of them to attend a four-year university. Ala’s parents treat all of their children equally, regardless of gender, and expect them to be active within their community. As a student, Ala supports Pro-Palestinian political action groups because she believes that she should help to educate the American public about the plight of Palestinians living in their cultural homeland. Vacations to Palestine and hearing Arabic spoken at home bring her closer to her heritage and allow her to spend more time with her friends and family. Religion is also very important to Ala and she closely follows the pillars of Islam. When she decides to marry, having a modern yet traditional wedding and finding a husband that is devoted to Islam is very important.
Key Themes: student life, education, pro-Palestine, parent expectations, wedding, marriage
Number of Interview: CC 2.00
Date: April 20, 2013
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Unknown
Name: Anonymous
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: born in U.S.
Abstract: Ruba identifies herself as American Palestinian and spent a portion of her life living in Beitin, Palestine, where her parents are originally from. She greatly appreciates her parents’ open-mindedness in their upbringing of their children and recognizes that not all second-generation immigrants would have had the same freedoms and independence to choose their careers as she has. Ruba considers herself a moderate Muslim – she follows all dietary and alcohol restrictions, but does not pray five times daily or wear the hijab, though she does not feel that should define a “good Muslim.” She strongly empathizes with the conflicts happening in her parents’ homeland and throughout the Middle East and has considered joining the Peace Corps or other volunteer organizations to give her time to help those struggling abroad.
Key Themes: Education, religion, culture, parenting style, Palestine
Number of Interview: RA 13.00
April 13, 2013
Name: Anonymous
Date of Birth: Unknown
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: February 28, 1973
Abstract: The interviewee chose to remain anonymous and will be known as Salam throughout the interview. Salam is a first generation immigrant from Palestine who grew up living in a small village called ‘Atara’. She lived in a small house with her parents, grandparents, two brothers and two sisters. After immigrating to the Milwaukee area, Salam and her husband started a family and now have eight children and a number of grandchildren. Throughout her interview Salam highlighted her life during childhood and the trips she and her husband take back to their homeland. Cultural clothing keeps her connected to her traditions and brings back memories of Palestine, it also teaches her children about their history and culture.
Key Themes: childhood, religion, cultural clothing, parenting, Palestine, work, identity.
Number of Interview: AD 2.00
March 15, 2013
Name: Afaf Abdallah
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: November 26, 1957
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: 1975
Abstract: This interview narrated the life of an Arab Muslim Immigrant. Coming to the United States at a young age with her husband frightened Afaf. Her marriage brought her to the states and the opportunities her family received kept her here all of these years. Household chores and raising the children prevented Afaf from continuing her education once she came to the US, but education was still very important to her. All three of her children finished schooling through 4-year Universities. She was unable to take on a job, but Afaf volunteered every chance that she could. Afaf identifies herself as a Muslim Palestinian American.
Key Themes: Culture, Religion, War, Immigration, Children, Grandchildren, Education, Marriage, Cultural Clothing, Gender, Parenting, and Politics
Number of Interview: SD. 1.00
March 2013
Name: Anonymous
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Anonymous
Country of Origin: Pakistan
Year of Immigration: 1999
Abstract: This narrator focused mainly on the concepts of religion, family and freedom. She was able to design her life to meet her liberal social beliefs without disrespecting her religious and cultural norms. In doing so she hopes she can empower her daughter to seek out a strong education and life a truly free life while maintaining her Muslim identity. She emphasized the values of liberalism and respect for others, mainly elders believing it was the key to live a good life. She also dismissed the cultural norms of dress, believing her religion lay in her heart and is best represented through prayer and devotion and not material.
Key Themes: freedom, religion, family, education, respect.
Number of interview: AS 1.00
March 2013
Name: Sana Muhesinna
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Unknown
Country of Origin: Kuwait
Year of Immigration: Unknown
Abstract: Sana was born and raised in Kuwait, but moved to Jordan post the Gulf War. The Gulf War, according to Sana, was the worst event in her entire life. From Jordan, she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin following her husband. Her husband had a set career position in Milwaukee and she continued her education at UWM. After achieving her Masters in Biomedical Sciences, Sana became pregnant with triplets. Education was a main factor in deciding a neighborhood location for their first house. All the children attend a monetary school currently, and will be entering their first year of high school next year. They attend Sunday school to learn about their religion and Sana emphasis’s the importance of religion in her household. Sana emphasizes the importance of religion, and while she maintains the Arab culture in the food she cooks and in her house décor, Sana believes that religion is the most important form of identification for her kids. Sana tries to wear modest clothing such as longer shirts with quarter sleeves and long pants/skirts and only wears cultural clothing while she is overseas or at a wedding. Sana identifies herself as a Muslim Jordanian woman even though her parents are Palestinian and she spent the majority of her life in Kuwait.
Key terms: Education, parenting, identity, clothing, religion, Gulf War
Number of Interview: SD.2.00
March 10, 2013
Gender: Female
Name: Anonymous
Date of Birth: Unknown
Country of Origin: Iran
Year of Immigration: 1979
Abstract: The interviewee came from Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution with her spouse. With a background in nursing, she emphasized the importance of providing and helping others. She installed a strong sense of Persian culture in her children, and started a school to study the culture. Education, along with a modern approach to religion are high priorities in her life.
Key Themes: Identity, modernity, education, family, culture
Number of Interview: AAS1
March 5, 2013
Gender: Female
Name: Houda
Country of Origin: Egypt
Date of Birth: November 1964
Year of Immigration: 1995
Abstract: The interview with Houda (name changed for confidentiality reasons), an Egyptian immigrant, focuses mostly on her methods of childcare and her relationship with her husband. Houda also considers her pre-immigration misconceptions of life in the United States, and her current understanding of life in America. She uses this while describing how people in the Milwaukee area treat her as opposed to people her previous home, Chicago treated her. Furthermore, Houda describes the role of cultural clothing, like the galabiya, in her household in Egypt and in the United States, noting its role in society as well.
Key Themes: Childcare, Egyptian perspective on America, Cultural Clothing, Equality in the household
Interview number: AS6.1
February 25, 2013
Gender: Female
Name: Leila
Year of immigration: 1995
Abstract: Leila immigrated to the United States from Rabat, Morocco in 1995 with her three children after being recently divorced. She stayed in Illinois with a friend until she obtained a job and eventually moved to Milwaukee with her children. Leila felt homesick after first immigrating because she left without being fully able to say good bye to her family. The greatest cultural difference she experienced was the “individualistic” society of the United States. She was accustomed to spending most of her time with family and friends. Leila explained to me how difficult it was to come from a very traditional family and be divorced. She didn’t have much support from friends and family and Moroccan law was not in her favor. However, she found strength in her religion to be able to raise her three children as a single mom. Leila graduated from university in Morocco and received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from University of Madison. She recently began an online business and her children are in college. Leila also explained about the cultural significance of the Caftan and Jebella, two important cultural clothing pieces in her culture. They both represent modesty and sanctity of the female body and tell a different story. Leila is proud to be a Moroccan-American citizen and is thankful for all of the opportunities she has been given.
Key Themes: Independence, religion, overcoming hardship, cultural clothing, divorce
Number of Interview: CC1.00
February 13, 2013
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Unknown
Name: Anonymous
Country of Origin: Syria
Year of Immigration: born in U.S.
Abstract: Salma grew up in a Syrian-Christian household and very much appreciates her Arab heritage. She feels her father’s reluctance to share his financial situation held her back in her education, but she is happy with her career and life. She did, however, give her daughters the freedom to choose their colleges. She does not believe her daughters need to limit themselves to an Arab community or Orthodox one, but she raised them in her Orthodox faith and her husband’s Roman Catholic faith. Food is how she expresses her identity the most, and she taught her daughters how to cook Syrian food, as well. She considers herself American Arab because she was born in America. Salma’s religion and her culture play a big role in her identity, but they are not the sole factors she uses to define herself.
Key Themes: food, schooling, parenting, music, celebrations
Number of Interview: K 1.00
February 10, 2013
Name: Eyrin Muhamad
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Unknown
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: 1980
Abstract: Eyrin was born in Palestine and identifies herself as an Arab Muslim. Growing up the only daughter of a successful chef in a small Palestinian village and attending school in metropolitan Jerusalem affected Eyrin’s worldview. Her family’s wealth separated her experience from that of her cousins and friends, but generosity was a virtue that her parents greatly valued. As a result of her upbringing, Eyrin values her family bond and keeps in regular contact with relatives living in Palestine. After moving from Palestine to the United States, Eyrin hoped that she would be able to successfully impart the traditional Muslim values, such as generosity, to her children. Although she came from a strict traditional family, Eyrin has allowed her children to participate in non-traditional public school activities including cheerleading and other organized athletics. She expects her children to act in accordance with their cultural traditions while keeping an open mind and accepting American cultural norms as well.
Key Themes: family, parenting, women’s role, cultural clothes
Interview number: ALS5.1
February 9, 2013
Gender: Female
Name: Ayah
Year of immigration: 1979
Abstract: Ayah immigrated to the United States from Hebron, Palestine when she was fifteen and a half years old to Washington D.C. to live with her husband and mother-in-law. Ayah felt great deals of loneliness because her English was limited and her husband would not allow her to drive. After living in America for ten years, she and her husband decided to move back to Palestine for four years so that their children could learn to appreciate the values of both Arab and American life. They moved back to America in order to give their children an American college education. Ayah and her husband divorced when they moved back to the United States. She learned to become strong and independent for her kids and emphasized the importance of getting an education so her children wouldn’t have to rely on anyone to take care of them. As a divorced woman in her culture, Ayah felt the gossip that surrounded her but her religion gave her the strength to walk away and become a role model for her children. Ayah obtained her GED and studied cosmetology at MATC for two years. Ayah opened a salon and remarried and now emphasized the importance of living life to the fullest
Key Themes: Independence, religion, divorce, education, culture
Number of Interview: AD 1.00
February 8, 2013
Name: Ola
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: July 23, 1971
Country of Origin: Lebanon
Year of Immigration: 1994
Abstract: Growing up in Lebanon during times of war, Ola is grateful that she is able to raise her children in peace here in the United States. Ola highlighted the importance of staying at home with her children rather than taking on a job. She strives to educate her son and three daughters about their religion because Islam plays a large role in the way Ola identifies herself as Muslim Arab Lebanese. Teaching her children about the Lebanese culture is important to her as well, but she is not able to visit Lebanon due to complicated issues preventing her and her family from leaving the country. Ola chooses not to vote not only because she simply cannot, but also because she does not want to take responsibility for choosing a candidate who will not fulfill the promises made. Cultural clothing did not play an important role in her Arab identity.
Key Themes: Lebanon, war, raising children, family, religion, gender
Number of Interview: RMFA1.00
February 7, 2013
Name: Fatimah Ayesher
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Unknown
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: 1988
Abstract: Fatimah Ayesher, a first generation immigrant who came to the United States at the age of eighteen, left her family in order to start a new life with her husband. While seeking economic prosperity in the United States, language became a barrier for Fatimah and her husband. The lack of language motivated Fatimah to teach herself English. Fatimah’s tenacity to become educated soon transferred to her children as well as to other individuals. She strives to motivate and instill the importance of education and its potential it can serve to her children and others. Fatimah believes that education functions as a necessary fundamental building block, and when supplemented with life experiences, can serve as an instrument that dissolves ignorance and hate against other cultures and religions. For this reason, Fatimah, with her busy family schedule, has taken on the initiative to empower immigrant women by establishing a women’s swimming program and English classes in the YMCA.
Key Themes: education, family life, religion, cultural and religious clothing, women’s role.
Number of Interview: RMFA 2.00
February 2013
Name: Soraya Mustafo Omar
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: September 12, 1980
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: Born In the United States
Abstract: Born in the United States, Soraya Mustafo Omar started her schooling in the United States. Obtaining only three years in the Milwaukee school system, her family found the need for her to continue her elementary, middle school, and high school studies in Palestine. As a result she has learned the Arab language and culture. Her parent’s motivation to provide an education that promoted her heritage has transcended into Soraya’s family’s upbringing. As a mother of four, Soraya asserts that a mother is the fundamental building block to a child’s moral and religious beliefs. She also expresses her frustration and discontent among many Americans who have resorted to associate her with the planners of the September 11 attacks and have targeted Soraya with negative comments. Soraya also emphasizes the importance of wearing a hijab and her personal religious attachment to it.
Key Themes: women’s role, education, cultural cloths, family life, religion.
Number of interview: SP3.00
February 2013
Name: Sherrie
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Unknown
Country of Origin: Iran
Year of Immigration: Unknown
Abstract: As a first generation immigrant from Iran, Sherrie grew up in the populated city of Shiraz. She is a dedicated mother, wife, and business owner and spends most of her time working in the restaurant that she owns on Milwaukee’s North side. Since the age of fourteen, she has chosen to wear the hijab even still today. For her, this creates a strong connection to her religion and is also a statement of her identity and her homeland. She does not feel much discrimination in society despite being the only one out of her friends and family in the United States that wears the hijab. Out of her five children, she has one daughter who has chosen not to veil herself, and Sherrie supports this decision until her daughter is ready to do it for herself. During the interview, Sherrie describes the process of having had an arranged marriage to her second cousin.
Key Themes: Parenting, Cultural Clothing, Marriage, Career, Religion
Number of Interview: AM
Summer 2012
Name: Margaret Hale
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: October 1922
Country of Origin: Syria
Year of Immigration: Born in the U.S.
Abstract: Margaret was born in the United States and considers herself and American Syrian. Her mother was born in Damascus, Syria while her father was born in Jerusalem. During her interview, Margaret reminisced about memories of her childhood, such as the Syrian music always playing in her house as a child, and the times she spent with her family and siblings. She also went into great depth about the history of her parents’ marriage and immigration to the United States through Ellis Island. Margaret keeps her Syrian heritage and identity by cooking cultural food for her own children and telling her children stories about their family’s history.
Key Themes: Syrian culture, childhood memories, marriage, religion, family history.
Number of Interview: RA 15.00
Name: Anonymous
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Unknown
Country of Origin: Moracoo
Year of Immigration: 2007
Abstract: The interviewee chose to remain anonymous and will be referred to as “Marwa” throughout the interview. Marwa travelled to the United States alone in her early 20’s when she initially felt very lonely but she knew opportunities in the United States could give her the freedom and independence she desired. Throughout the interview Marwa talked about how she met her husband, the struggles she had when she first arrived and the importance of identifying herself as Moroccan. Cultural clothing plays an important role in Marwa’s life. In the interview, she spoke about the seven different dresses she wore on her wedding day that took place in Morocco and the feelings she experiences when she wears them.
Key Themes: independence, opportunities, culture, language, religion, family, marriage
Interview number: IA1.00
Name: Dalal Abujad
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: September 12, 1952
Year of Immigration: 1984
Abstract: The domestic sphere is a main focus in the interview conducted with Dalal. Her perspectives regarding the domestic sphere shed light on the way in which Muslim American families seek to define and redefine gender roles in light of an ever changing family dynamic. The family serves as a locus of self-worth and value for Dalal. Motherhood, for Dalal, is a position of power within the household; the mother seeks to mold Mulsim American youth by offering religious and moral anchors which aid them in their integration into American society. Traditions serve as one of the tools through which these moral and religious bonds are shaped.KEY TERMS: women’s role, tradition, cultural cloths , family life, religion.
Interview number: ALS4.1
November 17, 2012
Name: Maha
Gender: Female
Date of Birth:
Year of immigration: 1969
Abstract: Maha is 70 years old and was born in Palestine, but immigrated to the United States to live with her husband in 1969. Before she immigrated, she felt the presence of Israel as they began to occupy Palestine when the country confiscated her family’s farm land. After immigrating to the United States it was difficult for her family to assimilate to the new culture because they were one of the first Arab and Muslim families to live in the area. However, she kept her culture alive through her traditional and cultural clothing. She wore the hijab when she was a young girl but stopped wearing it when she came to America and didn’t put it back on until she was older and wanted to set a good example for her daughter. She believes it symbolizes the Virgin Mary and represents her Muslim religion. Maha also wears the thub, a long dress that is black and handmade embroidered, to the mosque and to weddings. The thub symbolizes the Muslim traditions and pleases God because it keeps woman covered, meaning they are pure are more valuable in God’s eyes.
Key Themes: traditional clothing, religious clothing, cultural identity.
Number of interview: RA 7.00
November 2, 2012
Name: Riham Hamdan
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: September 22, 1975
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: Born in U.S.
Abstract: As a second generation Arab American, Riham grew up spending a majority of her childhood in her home with six siblings while attending the Islamic center on the weekends. Now, as a mother of three children, Riham understands why her parents raised her in a protective manner that revolved greatly around their cultural values. She makes sure to instill the same sense of religion and culture in her children although she believes in giving her daughter more freedom than she had as a child. Riham feels a strong connection with Arab culture. Even though she wears modern modest clothing, she feels special connection to traditional attire and enjoys purchasing them for her and her children while visiting her parents’ homeland. Teaching her daughter traditional cultural recipes is important along with teaching all her children the Arabic language in order to keep them connected with their Arab culture. Riham emphasized the fact that she has learned to be proud of who she is and where she came from and makes sure her children feel the same way about themselves.
Key Themes: Parenting, language, religion, culture, clothing, pride.
Interview number: ALS3.1
October 7, 2012
Name: Najah Dahir
Gender: Female
Date of Birth:
Year of immigration: 1991
Abstract: Najah Dahir is a first-generation Arab-American. Najah was born in Salmia, Kuwait and was raised in Amman, Jordan until she immigrated to the United States in 1991 at the age of twenty-one. She decided to immigrate because her husband, a Palestinian, lived and owned a corner store business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her greatest difficulties were the language barrier and lack of independence she felt because she could not go out and do things on her own until her husband taught her how to drive. She represents her Arab background through her cultural clothing and recipes from her mom. Although Najah is from the city and never wore traditional clothing, she wears sala clothes when she prays which is two pieces consisting of the hijab and a long skirt which keeps her covered while praying. She has not yet decided to wear the hijab, but intends on doing so in the future after she feels she is religiously ready.
Key Themes: cultural recipes and religious clothing.
Interview number: ALS2.1
October 3, 2012
Name: Ahmad
Gender: Male
Date of Birth:
Year of immigration: 1990
Abstract: Ahmad was born in Lebanon, moved to Kuwait with his family as a toddler, but identifies himself as a Palestinian. He immigrated to the United States at the age of nineteen for better educational opportunities. The greatest difficulties he had was the language barrier and the different social aspects of American life. He represents his cultural clothing through his four dishdasha pieces. They are a long dress made of thin, white material which he mostly wore socially overseas and occasionally wears to the Mosque in America. The dishdasha’s remind him of his homeland and his roots. He is proud to represent his country and relive those aspects of his culture through his dishdasha’s which are also a reflection of his religion and emphasize modesty.
Key Themes: cultural clothing, identity, and social identity.
Interview number: ALS1.1
September 22, 2012
Name: Mahmoud Saed
Gender: Male
Date of Birth:
Year of immigration: 2009
Abstract: Mahmoud Saed immigrated to the United States from Jordan three years ago. He is now twenty-five years and is a teacher at the local Salam school. Mahmoud immigrated to the United States for better educational opportunities. He received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting at Haishma University in Jordan and after graduation he was given the opportunity to receive a green card in the United States. He immigrated to obtain his masters and to experience a new life and opportunities in the United States. Mahmoud quickly adapted to the new culture and learned English by being a receptionist at a front desk at a hotel. Adaptation to his new home in America did not mean totally tailoring a new identity. He continues to preserve important elements of his culture and religion. Mahmoud usually only wears the dishdasha ( a long one-piece dress for men) to the Mosque during Ramadan as it symbolizes religion and modesty to him. He also wears the hatta or kufia during the winter which is a national scar that symbolizes Palestine and Jordan. He has one for each country, the red and white for Jordan and the black and white for Palestine. He was influenced by his father and older brothers to wear the traditional clothing.
Key Themes: adjustment, cultural clothing.
Number of Interview: AB-1.00
September 21, 2012
Name: Adnan Shanaa
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 1/26/1950
Country of Origin: Palestine, (born and grew up in a Lebanon Refugee Camp)
Year of Immigration: 1974 (to Abu Dubi) 1978 (To America)
Abstract: Adnan Shanaa, immigrated to the United States in 1978, initially choosing to settle in Milwaukee in order to attain an Architectural Degree through the University Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Mr Shanaa then transferred to Winona State University in Minnesota and graduated with a degree in computer science. Mr Shanaa intended to seek employment with his degree here in the United States, but political and social events back in the Middle East caused him to lose his passport and essentially any chance of starting a career here in the United States. Without citizenship, Mr. Shanaa, worked in the grocery business with his cousin in Milwaukee since 1983. He married and has three children all of whom have continued to higher education. Mr. Shanaa represents the new wave of immigrants seeking opportunity in the United State over last four decades of the 20th century.
Key Themes: Lebanon, Islam, 9-11, Arab-American identity, role of religion in the house hold, Small businesses in America.
Number of Interview: RA 5.00
October 23, 2012
Name: Fatmeh Saleh
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: January 5, 1958
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: 1976
Abstract: Fatmeh’s interview brought insight into the life of a young seventeen year old girl who moved to the United States after marrying her husband in Palestine. Fatmeh speaks about her expectations of America and how the freedom in the states was more than she could imagine. Growing up in Palestine she lived with traditional views of women and now lives a life of exceeding freedom. Fatmeh initially felt homesick after moving to the United States but she highlights the importance of starting her own family which brought her comfort while being far away from home. Wearing cultural clothing gives her a connection not only her homeland, but her sisters and her mother who share the same clothing. Fatmeh is a hard working mother currently supporting her family after her husband passed away years ago and states that America is now her home although she was born in Palestine.
Key Themes: War, freedom, family, marriage, Palestine, religion.
Number of Interview: SMG 3.1 and SMG 3.2
November 2nd, 2012
Name: Naziha Asad
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: March 10th, 1952
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: September 1968
Abstract: Mrs. Naziha Asad is a first generation immigrant from Palestine. She immigrated when she was 14 years old and she focuses a lot on the differences between “back home” and the “old ways” and the U.S and the “younger generation”, especially how this has impacted raising her six children. Mrs. Asad defines herself as an Arab- American. She recently started wearing the scarf every day in the U.S, after she felt shame walking around in Palestine without it. When she wears cultural clothing, mostly at weddings, she feels beautiful, elegant, and as if she “just came from that country”. She wears it to preserve the traditions which she doesn’t want to die out.
Number of Interview: SMG 1.1
September 16th, 2012
Name: Anonymous
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1958
Year of Immigration: 1986
Abstract: The interviewee, who chose to remain anonymous, is a strong and motivated first generation Iranian woman who wishes to use her difficult experiences to help others, especially adult immigrants, integrate into the community. Talking about cultural clothing, the interviewee said she wished to define herself according to her achievements and aspirations in education, not according to cultural or religious clothing. She came to America for her education, and faced setbacks in obtaining educational qualifications due to post- revolutionary relations between America and Iran. When the situation in Iran prevented her from getting a job if she returned, she decided to settle in Milwaukee.
Key Themes: education, Iran, citizenship pending, language barrier, single woman, cultural integration, fire, disinterest in cultural clothing, immigration vs. integration.
Number of Interview: SMG 2.1 and SMG 2.2
October 19th and October 22nd, 2012
Name: Anonymous
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1951
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: 1972
Abstract: The interviewee, who chose to remain anonymous, is a very secure, strong-willed, and mirthful first generation immigrant, who is very proud to self-identify as Palestinian. Her interview highlights her perceptions of key moments in the history of the Israeli-Conflict, while detailing her gradual immigration to Milwaukee. Throughout her life, the interviewee seems to have found opportunities to integrate into the community in a way that contributes to the preservation and maintenance of her Palestinian culture. For her, cultural clothing means a preservation of the past: “and if you don’t have past you’ll never have future.”
Key Themes: Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, perceptions of marriage, raising children, maintaining culture, religion, and language.
Number of Interview: RA 1.00
September 13, 2012
Name: Hanaa Atari
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: January 9, 1959
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: December 1978
Abstract: This interview was conducted with Hanaa, a Palestinian woman, born and raised in Kuwait, who moved to the United States at a young age in order to attend college. Hanaa explains the impact of the Persian Gulf War on her and her family which was her sole purpose of immigrating to the United States. The interview is a prime example of a Palestinian-Muslim woman becoming part of the American culture, while trying to raise her children with a strong religious and cultural foundation. Cultural clothing is important to Hanaa because its gives her feelings of individuality and reminds her of her home and family. Hanaa feels a special link with her Arab identity when she wears her cultural dresses. Hanaa speaks about her internal struggles to remain in the United States to finish her education while feeling alone and far away from home at a young age of 19 years old. This is an insightful interview highlighting an opinionated, open minded woman who identifies herself as not only a Palestinian-Muslim woman but also as an American citizen
Key Themes: Kuwait, education, Gulf War, raising children, family, 9/11, culture.
Number of Interview: RA 2.00
September 22, 2012
Name: Rafik Imseitef
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: March 25, 1961
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: 1976
Abstract: Rafik’s interview provided great insight on the struggles of a young, fifteen year old boy, traveling to the United States while believing in the American Dream and soon realizing that life was much more difficult than expected. His political views and opinions are strongly impacted by his childhood in Palestine, specifically in the time period of the 1967 War. Rafik stresses the importance of religion and education in his and his family’s life. This interview is an excellent example of a man who struggled financially and built his way from the bottom up, expecting to return home to Palestine, but unintentionally making the United States his home. He settled in Milwaukee, where he fell in love with his wife, and raised six children to remain faithful to their religion while providing them with opportunities he never had himself. KEY THEMES: 1967 War, politics, Islam, education, Palestine, family, American Dream.
Number of Interview: RA 3.00
September 28, 2012
Name: Aminah Hamdan
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: March 10, 1982
Gender: Female
Year of Immigration: Born in U.S.
Abstract: Aminah Hamdan’s interview provided insight on the opinions of a second generation Arab-American woman who dealt with the struggles of growing up with two contrasting cultures. Wearing traditional clothes allows Aminah to represent who she is while making her Arab identity more visible to others. Aminah explains the ideals and expectations her parents brought back from their homeland, Palestine. She speaks about her ambitions to return to college, and raise her young children with a sense of cultural and religious identity. Aminah highlights the difference in parenting, based on how she was raised and how she wants to continue raising her children. The importance of equality in men and women is stressed in her interview.
Key Themes: Parenting, religion, culture, marriage, education, clothing.
Number of Interview: RA 4.00
October 7, 2012
Name: Marouf Dahir
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: August 10, 1959
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: 1978
Abstract: Marouf’s interview was a glimpse into the life of a man grew up as a teenager in Palestine, participating in demonstrations against the Israeli occupation while going to school to become a greater part of the education system. Marouf speaks about his initial goals and ambitions while being in the United States as well as highlighting his wide variety of knowledge on world events. Family is of main importance to Marouf, and treating his children equally while making sure they do well in their education is imperative. Marouf identifies himself with his Islam, along with both his cultures as an Arab American. Although Marouf describes himself as a cultural man, he appreciates the cultural clothing but does not dress in them often.
Key Themes: Palestine, family, education, demonstrations, marriage, equality.
Number of Interview: RA 6.00
October 24, 2012
Name: Anonymous
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 1992
Country of Origin: Palestine
Year of Immigration: Born in U.S.
Abstract: The interviewee chose to remain anonymous and will be referred to as “Husam” throughout the interview. Husam identifies himself more with his Arabic culture rather than his American culture, although he addresses his difficulty of finding the right balance between the two contrasting cultures. American born and raised in Jordan as a young boy, Husam experienced many different environments and found a way to adapt to whichever setting he found himself in. He gives the audience a unique point of view of the difficulties he has faced with the English language and explains how he handled the obstacles in order to better himself. Husam explains that cultural clothing could show ones identity but in his opinion, clothing doesn’t define who he is or who he will be but feels he will start wearing cultural clothing more often as he grows up. Husam’s interview provides insight on the opinions and perspectives of a second generation Arab-American man who finds importance in attaching a greater meaning on his religion and culture.
Key Themes: Identity, culture, religion, English, Arabic, politics, parents, war.
Number of Interview: TA-100
September 24, 2012
Name: Raisa Ahmad
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1965
Country of Origin: Pakistan
Year of Immigration: 1990
Abstract: Due to political turmoil in Pakistan, Mrs. Ahmad and her husband decided to move in 1990. Based on an excellent educational system, the Ahmads’ decided to immigrate to the United States. In this interview, Mrs. Ahmad provides some insight to her life and the decision to immigrate. Mrs. Ahmad wears Pakistani cultural dress most of the time, as she believes it is an expression of cultural identity that should be preserved wherever immigrants have settled. When asked why she still wears Pakistani cultural clothes in the United States, she responded, “If an American person will go to Pakistan I don’t think that they will start wearing our [Pakistani] clothes.” Today Mrs. Ahmad is a mother of four, and identifies herself as a proud Muslim woman. Mrs. Ahmad is also a member of Milwaukee Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
Key Themes: Pakistan, Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Cultural clothing.
Number of interview: TA 200
October 4, 2012
Name: Khalil Ahmed
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: February 2, 1936
Country of Origin: Pakistan
Year of Immigration: 2001
Abstract: Mr. Khalil Ahmed immigrated to the US with his wife in 2001. Respecting his sons’ desire to care for both his wife and himself, he left his home in Pakistan. Mr. Ahmed talks about the religious persecutions facing Ahmadhis in Pakistan, despite the Ahmadhis status as a peaceful people who pray and live in a peaceful manner. Due to enduring hardship in Pakistan, he values the notion that America offers more safety, better education, and more religious freedoms than Pakistan. Mr. Ahmed is feels attached to his national dress, even in the US, based on its direct cultural link to his life in Pakistan.
Key Themes: Ahmadiyya faith, Pakistan, religious freedom, persecution.
Number of Interview: RA 18.00
September 20, 2012
Name: Anonymous
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: Unknown
Country of Origin: Pakistan
Year of Immigration: 1990’s
Abstract: The interviewee chose to remain anonymous and will be referred to as “Lena.” She was born and raised in Pakistan where she received her master’s degree in sociology. During her interview, Lena talked about her fond memories of going to school in Pakistan and her eagerness to learn from her caring teachers. She initially came to the United States to visit her brother and after volunteering at Salam School, Lena accepted an offer to teach at another school and stay in the United States. The remainder of her interview focused on the effects of 9/11 on the society around her, as well as the role cultural clothing plays in her everyday attire and special occasions such as weddings. She experiences feelings of comfort in her cultural clothing and describes her daughters’ traditional weddings that both took place in Pakistan.
Key Themes: education, career, culture, clothing, 9/11, teaching, arranged marriage, traditional wedding