Arab Talk With Jess & Jamal

Jess and Jamal discuss Ramadan 2020 and how to practice faith in times of Covid-19, joined by the Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA) office. They also interview political activist and university professor Rania Masri, PhD, who comments on the Lebanese government’s handling of the pandemic in a country that hosts approximately 1.5 million refugees.

Jess and Jamal discuss the new normal in the age of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Is there a rush to return to old norms? What are the repercussions? Journalist Daoud Kuttab provides an update about COVID-19 and its impact on communities in Jordan and Palestine.

Arab Talk co-host Jamal Dajani interviews award-winning journalist and former Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University, Daoud Kuttab. From his shelter-in-place in Amman, Jordan, Professor Kuttab discusses the impact of the Coronavirus there and in Palestine.

Jess & Jamal provide the latest updates on COVID-19, discussing how black and brown populations in the US are disproportionately affected by this pandemic. They also discuss its effects on communities in the Middle East and the misinformation disseminated on social media.

Jess & Jamal provide updates about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), as more than 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week. Jess Ghannam, PhD discusses best practices for confined people to help them deal with their mental health during this global crisis.

As the number of people suffering from COVID-19 is approaching half a million, Jess and Jamal discuss the importance of ’Shelter in Place,' and what life is like under the mandate. They also discuss how the Trump administration and other governmental agencies have been handling this global pandemic.

Jess and Jamal discuss President Trump’s mishandling of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that has crippled China and has been spreading worldwide. At a Friday news conference at the CDC, Trump told reporters that tests for the coronavirus were now available to anyone who needed one. Shortly afterwards, several governors and public health officials said that this was categorically untrue. Co-host Jess Ghannam, PhD provides the latest updates from UCSF’s infectious disease experts to dispel misinformation and to separate fact from fiction.

Jess and Jamal discuss the misinformation circulating about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and help clarify information to help keep people healthy and safe, based on scientific facts. They also discuss Super Tuesday’s results and its long-term impact on the US Presidential Elections.

Jess & Jamal interview Chafika Attalai and Isis Koral from CCIF, the Collective Against Islamophobia in France. They discuss the different laws, discrimination and obstacles facing the Muslim community in France and in Europe. To learn more about CCIF, visit their website http://www.islamophobie.net/en/

Jamal interviews Maad Abu-Ghazalah, Founder and Executive Director of Daily Hugz, an animal shelter located in an olive grove in the village of Asira. Daily Hugz offers sanctuary to homeless and abused animals and a safe play environment for children in Palestine. Maad talks about the progress made at his sanctuary but also reflects on the current political situation and the difficulties facing Palestinians under Apartheid conditions. To learn more about Daily Hugz go to http://www.dailyhugz.org/

Jess and Jamal decipher President Trump’s State of the Union address and its inaccuracies. They also comment on Republican Senator Mitt Romney’s vote to convict Donald Trump, and the debacle at the Iowa caucuses and its impact on the Democratic Party.

Jess & Jamal discuss the unveiling of President Trump’s so-called “Deal of the Century,” which is tantamount to the Bantustans of South Africa’s apartheid regime. According to the plan, Palestinians lose all claims to Jerusalem and the right of return of refugees. Meanwhile, Israeli Colonial Settlements will be annexed to Israel along with the Jordan Valley, and security forces will continue to be posted inside Palestine, which would have to be demilitarized.

Jess & Jamal discuss President Trump’s impeachment trial, as Democrats argue that Trump pushed the Ukrainian government to probe Biden and his son because he was worried about facing the former vice president in November’s election. They also discuss leaked reports that current VP Mike Pence invited Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, during the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, to start discussing the “Deal of the Century,” without inviting any representatives from the Palestinian Authority.

Jess & Jamal discuss President Trump’s impeachment trial in the US Senate, as a trove of texts, voice mail messages, calendar entries and other records from Lev Parnas were released. An associate of the president’s personal lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani, Parnas offered new details about the Ukraine scandal. They also discuss the recent uproar over a gaffe made by the producers and host of the popular television game show “Jeopardy!” about the location of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine.

Jess & Jamal discuss the repercussions resulting from the assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani and the War of Misinformation surrounding Iran’s response and the downing of the Ukrainian airliner.

Jess and Jamal discuss President Trump’s executive order designed to cut off aid to colleges that tolerate anti-Semitism. However, many First Amendment advocates see it as an effort to stifle free speech and criticism of Israel. Jess and Jamal discuss the impact of this executive order on academic freedom.

Jamal Dajani interviews journalist and cooking show host Blanche Shaheen who has recently published her first cooking book, "Feast in the Middle East: A Personal Journey of Family and Cuisine." According to Shaheen, readers will be able to recreate street foods like chicken shawarma and crispy falafel in their own kitchens or move on to more complex dishes and delicious desserts. Shaheen also discusses her recent trip to Palestine and her connection to the land, people, culture and cuisine. Link to order the book: https://secure.mybookorders.com/Orderpage/2189

Jess & Jamal discuss the recent indictment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. They also discuss US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement that the Trump administration is reversing its stance on Israeli settlements in the West Bank which are considered illegal under international law, a move that was condemned by Palestinians and many countries around the world.

Jess & Jamal interview Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi (San Francisco State University) & Dr. Simona Sharoni (Merrimack College) about the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, which resulted in the death of at least 24 Palestinians, including a father and his two children. They also discuss anti-Semitism, white supremacy and attacks on academic freedom.

Jess and Jamal discuss the recent revelations that two former employees of Twitter were charged with spying for Saudi Arabia by snooping into thousands of private accounts seeking personal information about critics of the Saudi royal family. They also discuss Representative Andy Levin’s fact-finding visit to the West Bank and his criticism of the Israeli Occupation.