Al-Bustan News
Covering Philadelphia’s Southwest Asian and North African communities
Where Is Our Voice in The City? Ahead of Philadelphia Elections, Arab Communities Are Still Left Out of the Count
For decades, Arab communities have fought to add a“Middle East and North Africa” (MENA) category in the U.S. Census. While some might shrug this off as a non-issue, collecting data on Arab communities specifically isn’t just about representation.
Oud and Musk and Frankincense: Arab Perfumes of West Philadelphia
As perfume culture continues to grow in Philadelphia, it is important to remember…the working class Black Philadelphians who introduced the scents to the city.
The Son of Palestine: How One Philadelphia Fighter Blends Activism With A Memorable Martial Arts Career
“I’ve had fights broadcast live on TV and they would try to kick me out of the ring because I had a shirt on that read ‘Free Palestine.’”
From West Philly to the West Bank: How Philadelphia Organizers Commemorate the Nakba
“‘From Philly to Palestine, occupation is a crime!’”
The Nakba at 75: A Penn Medical Researcher Commemorates the Palestinian Expulsion
“'The general who gave the order to shoot would give his soldiers a command in Hebrew: ‘Harvest!’”
‘Africa Doesn’t Get Any Love’: In Philadelphia, Sudanese Communities Respond To Ongoing Military Conflict
In Philadelphia, the city’s 3,000 strong Sudanese community are scrambling to contact friends and family seeking refuge from violence.