History of the Al-Sahafa Newspaper

In the Publisher’s Own Words…

My name is Fatina Salaheddine.  I am an American of Lebanese decent, and the owner and publisher of America’s monthly Middle Eastern Newspaper; Al-Sahafa.

Coincidentally, the launch of Al-Sahafa was in the summer before September 11^th 2001 arrived – bringing the Arabs, the Middle East, the religion of Islam and Arab Americans to the forefront and controversy of the news and media. Through the Al-Sahafa publication, I was determined to initiate and open dialogue to help bridge the gap of tolerance and acceptance each month, by providing news – with the “Arab” viewpoint.  Reminding readers, that “there is always the other side to every story told”.

Al-Sahafa is a tabloid size newspaper.  It is published the first Tuesday of every month, and is also available online.  I am the founder and CEO of the Al-Sahafa Newspaper.  The Al-Sahafa Newspaper is America’s monthly Middle Eastern Newspaper.  Al-Sahafa (which means the Media or the Press in Arabic) is the first of its kind, providing readers with a scope of Arab-American Events, News, Culture Highlights, Featured Editorials, and an Arab perspective on Politics.

Published in the English language, Al-Sahafa contains a broad range of topics, (something for everyone to enjoy), and proudly reaches a large audience of international readers throughout the nation, and internationally through my travels as a speaker in conferences abroad.

In the beginning, Al-Sahafa’s target audience were Arab Americans, but September 11^th brought the curiosity of all communities that wanted to know more about Arabs and the Middle East.  And so, each month we are finding increasing interest from the many Italian, Greek, Spanish, Russian, Eastern European, African American, and Asian communities that are e-mailing us their comments and questions, as well as subscribing.  Al-Sahafa is an informative, useful, and very entertaining publication, whose sole purpose is to represent the great Middle Eastern Civilization and its cultured people, in the United States of America, and internationally.

There is no doubt, that the media plays a huge role in image and perception.  And depending upon the type of media outlet- the underlying message can undoubtedly give and eventually reinforce a negative perception about Arabs, (whether Muslim, Christian or Jew) and the Middle East to a vast audience.  Through the Al-Sahafa publication, I am determined to initiate and open dialogue to help bridge the gap of tolerance and acceptance each month, by providing news – with the “Arab” viewpoint.  Reminding readers, that “there is always the other side to every story told”. 

Since Al-Sahafa’s inception, the publication has grown from local to statewide and now to national and international distribution. And with a growing number of influential readers, (both print and online readers), Al-Sahafa Newspaper has merged as one of America’s leading and most trusted Arab American publications. 

Each month 150,000 copies of the Al-Sahafa Newspaper are printed and distributed. Not forgetting to mention - that we have worked hard on achieving a large Subscription base of close to 15,000 that are mailed from our Corporate offices in Ohio each month to all Middle Eastern Embassies, many politically important locations in our nation's capital in Washington D.C., to nationally recognized Colleges, Arab American Organizations and U.S. Companies doing business with the Middle East.

Americans in general, really need to work on overcoming their “Arab phobia” and “everything Islamic” negativity, that came with the September 11^th attacks in 2001.  My main goal with the Al-Sahafa Newspaper is to reach mainstream America with the “Arab viewpoints” and information containing nothing but positive reinforcements of the rich culture, heritage and vast history of the great land and peoples of Arabia.

I would like to thank you in advance for your interest in the Al-Sahafa Newspaper. Print is an amazing medium to reach persons across the world, and share with them the perseverance of dreams and idealizations that we humans share.  I hope that the information provided in this Media Kit, and on our website is found to be a useful resource about the vast and beautiful Middle East region and its people.  

Thank you again in advance.

Fatina Salaheddine

Publisher & CEO; Al-Sahafa Newspaper