Arab Voices Speak to American Hearts

After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, journalist, teacher, and peace advocate Samar Dahmash-Jarrah was called upon by her Florida community to dispel stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims to audiences of up to 800 Americans. Then she had a vision-if governments would do nothing to combat misunderstanding between Americans and Arabs, she would open a direct dialogue between the two peoples.Thus, Arab Voices Speak to American Hearts was conceived and Dahmash-Jarrah assembled over 100 questions that Americans wanted to ask Arabs and Muslims. A naturalized American citizen since 1994, Jarrah next spent the months of September and October 2004 in Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait asking these questions.The remarkable result is found in these pages. Several of those interviewed had studied in America and called Americans a friendly and enterprising people. Some openly admired the American form of government. Yet nearly all of the interviewees disliked American policies toward the Middle East, especially toward the problem of Palestine. One theme flows throughout the book-all of those interviewed were delighted to be asked to describe their lives and views to Americans-and to ask similar questions of Americans. Arab voices speak to American Hearts surveys a cross-section of Arab society in thought, gender, age, and even religion.