List of Palestinian Americans

This is a list of notable Palestinian Americans, including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants.

The list is ordered by category of human endeavour. Persons with significant contributions in two fields are listed in each of the pertinent categories, to facilitate easy lookup.

To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Palestinian American or must have references showing they are Palestinian American and are notable.

List

Arts and entertainment

Hanan Alattar, operatic singer and actress
Cherien Dabis, Film Director
Nathalie Handal, Poet and Playwright
Mai Masri, Filmmaker and Director
Dean Obeidallah, Comedian

Academics

Ismail al-Faruqi, former professor of religion at Temple University and authority on comparative religion & Islam
Naseer Aruri, Chancellor Professor of Political Science at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Hanna Batatu, Marxist historian most known for his work on Iraqi history
Nadia Abu El Haj, Author & Professor of Anthropology at Barnard College and subject of a major tenure controversy case at Columbia University
Ibrahim Abu-Lughod, former Director of Graduate Studies at Northwestern University, father of Lila Abu-Lughod
Lila Abu-Lughod, professor of Anthropology and Women's and Gender Studies at Columbia University
Leila Farsakh, Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Boston
Samih Farsoun, Professor of sociology at American University and editor of Arab Studies Quarterly
Nadia Hijab, Journalist with Middle East Magazine and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Palestine Studies
Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University
Joseph Massad, Professor at Columbia University known for his work on nationalism and sexuality in the Arab world
Edward Said, Professor at Columbia University best known for his work on the subject of Orientalism.
Hisham Sharabi Professor Emeritus of History and Umar al-Mukhtar Chair of Arab Culture at Georgetown University
Rosemarie Said Zahlan, historian, journalist & author, sister of Edward Said

Medicine

Laila Al-Marayati, Director of Women's Health at the Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles
Hashem El-Serag, doctor and medical researcher on Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the hepatitis C virus

Musicians

DJ Khaled, DJ & Record Producer
Fredwreck, Record Producer & DJ
Simon Shaheen, oud and violin musician and composer

Politics

Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, head of the Minaret of Freedom Institute, a libertarian think-tank
Huwaida Arraf, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement
Mubarak Awad, founder of the Palestinian Centre for the Study of Nonviolence
John E. Sununu, US Senator from New Hampshire (2003-2009), son of John H. Sununu
John H. Sununu, Governor of New Hampshire (1983-1989) and White House Chief of Staff to President George H.W. Bush (1989-1991)

Business and commerce

Sam Bahour, co-founder of the Palestine Telecommunications Company, first private telecommunications company in the Middle East
Tom Gores, billionaire businessman

Literature, journalism

Ali Abunimah, Journalist and co-founder of The Electronic Intifada
Suheir Hammad, Poet
Nathalie Handal, Poet and Playwright
Nadia Hijab, Journalist with Middle East Magazine and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Palestine Studies
Sahar Khalifeh, Novelist and founder of the Women's Affairs Center in Nablus
Naomi Shihab Nye, Poet, songwriter, and novelist

Fashion

Religion

Benny Hinn, Pentacostal televangelist

Sports

Omar Jarun, soccer player and member of the Palestine national football team
Ramsey Nijem, mixed martial artist
Omar Sheika, boxer

Other

Nidal Malik Hasan, US Army (Major), sole suspect in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting
Sahar Khalifeh, Novelist and founder of the Women's Affairs Center in Nablus
Alex Odeh, activist tied to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Sirhan Sirhan, convicted murderer of Robert F. Kennedy

References