The Islamization project continues.
A long time ago, the overwhelming majority of ”Arabs” in the US, were of Lebanese descent, primarily from being pushed out of their homeland by Shi’ite and Sunni Arabs. Now the very same people who pushed them out, are following them to the US.
The Detroit area where I was raised, had wonderful Middle Eastern eating establishments, run by Lebanese Christians. I can’t recall any of their proceeds ever having to be investigated to ascertain as to whether they’re being used to fund a war against the West.
Note: Only Islam, both Sunni and Shi’ite versions, have that distinct honor.
Anaheim’s Little Arabia pushing for a higher profile
The commercial district has become a go-to place for Arab Americans and fans of Middle Eastern food. Some people are advocating for official recognition.
Many businesses along a stretch of Brookhurst Street in Anaheim known as Little Arabia are aimed at Arab American customers. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times / March 4, 2014)
Two miles from Disneyland, a stretch of strip malls in Anaheim has transformed into an enclave catering to California’s Arab American community.
It lacks the immense sprawl of nearby Little Saigon or the decades-long history of Chinatown in Los Angeles, but the place now known as Little Arabia is a destination for Arab Americans from around the state and, lately, a go-to place for foodies in search of Middle Eastern dishes.
Yet Little Arabia is largely unknown to the millions of tourists who flood into Anaheim every year — and it remains below the radar even to longtime residents in the city’s west side.
A group of ambitious activists and business owners is trying to change that by getting city and tourism officials to recognize the commercial district as a destination.
“The most important thing to us is saying, ‘We are part of Anaheim,'” said Rida Hamida, director and co-founder of the Arab American Civic Council. “You have Disney, the Honda Center, the Angels, and you also have Little Arabia.”
The push is starting to gain some momentum. Most recently, the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau agreed to put Little Arabia on its visitors guide.
“What I’ve seen of it, it has some great restaurants that I got to enjoy and a community that’s trying to build something there, so that’s exciting to see,” said Jay Burress, president and chief executive of the convention bureau, who visited Little Arabia for the first time last month.
The civic council is also preparing a new website and brochure to attract visitors.
