Center for Arab American Studies | University of Michigan-Dearborn Archives

The CAAS collection contains three series, audiotapes of a radio program,  transcripts and disks from their Oral History Project, and a report.

Box 1 of the collection contains 107[105] audiotapes and microcassette copies of the Arab American Radio Talk Show “Educate Our Families” broadcast from WNZK 680am between December 18th, 1997 and December 15th, 1999. The founders of the program are Dr. Osama Kadi, Dr. Emad Hammoude and Director Fathis Namou.

Box 2 contains a list of the programs , in print and on cd. It also contains a report: Preliminary Findings form the Detroit Arab American Study, May 2005. The contributors are: Wayne Baker, University of Michigan, Sally Howell, University of MIchigan, Amaney Jamal, Princeton University, Ann Chih Lin, University of Michigan, Andrew Shryock, University of Michigan, Ron Stockton, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Mark Tessler, University of MIchigan.

Box 3 of the collection contains transcripts and disks of 8 oral histories done during 2002. The transcripts need further editing. Mary Fran Peterman (MFP) conducted 6 of the interviews. It is not clear who the interviewer is on 2 of the transcripts. A translator is present in 3 interviews, and may be a family member.

Oral History Summaries:

Sheikh Yousef Berry, interviewed June 17, 2002, in Dearborn, MI, interviewer unknown. YB was born in Lebanon in 1924. A Muslim, he worked as a teacher in Beirut, came to the US in 1947 to marry a woman of Lebanese descent whose parents had immigrated to Detroit. Worked hard, Ford, had his own store, traveled all over the world, returned often to Lebanon and would like to live there. Refused to say anything about being discriminated against. Has 3 grown children. Volunteer at Library. Feels that young people are falling away from the path of Islam. Says he doesn’t bother about politics.

Mohamed Daklallah, interviewed June 2004, interviewer unknown. Born in Lebanon in 1953, talks about school system and life in Lebanon, civil war. Came to America in 1984,  to get some peace for self and children. Says all immigrant groups discriminate each other here. Worked hard, had his own store, retired at 49. Plans to return to Lebanon when children finish college.

Sommer Kassab, interviewed June 2002 by Mary Fran Peterman in Southfield, MI. 46p. [mother Yasden Yasso Kassab and grandmother Mary Yasso also interviewed.] Born in Southfield in 1978 of Chaldean parents, she graduated from University of Michigan-Dearborn and is a social worker. She talks about growing up the Chaldean community, the family business, the importance of education, relationships with her family especially her mother and grandmother, and doing a lot of community work.

Yasden Yasso Kassab, interviewed June 2002 by Mary Fran Peterman in Farmington Hills, MI. 43p. Born in 1964 in Terket, northern Iraq. Chaldean. To US in 1979. Schooling in Iraq and US marriage. Parenting. Family business.

Mary Yasso, interviewed by Mary Fran Peterman in West Bloomfield, MI, June 2002. 2 unidentified contributors/translators, probably daughter Judy and daughter Yasden Yasso Kassab, who does most of the speaking. A Chaldean, born in Terket, Iraq, in 1935, to US in 1968-69, with 7 children. Speaks of growing up near Mosel, much involvement with the church, danger from Kurds.

Afra Saleh, interviewed June 2002 by Mary Fran Peterman. 45 p. Muslim, born in north Yemen, 1969. Moved to US in 1977 where father was already working. Talks about going to elementary school in Dearborn, deciding to wear Yemeni dress, hijab, and clothing issues, fitting in with schoolmates. Learning more about Koran and Arabic in Arabic school. Going to college, marriage, family life. Wanting to be a doctor, but getting married after graduating from college, getting teaching certificate, and looking forward to masters degree.

Batoul Azghar interviewed June 2002 in Detroit by Mary Fran Peterman. 20p. Daughter Huda Al Kenany translating (also interviewed). Granddaughter Batoul Al Kenany present. Muslim, born in Iraq in 1949. Parents deported to Iran in 1980. Moved to US in 1997. Much about life under Saddam Hussein.

Huda Al Kenany interviewed by Mary Fran Peterman June 2002. 68 p. Muslim, born in Iraq in 1980. Talks about arranged marriage of parents in south Iraq. Damage to family. Disappearance of father. Fled to Saudi Arabia with family then moved to US in 1997 or so. Talks about school, marriage, relationship with mother and husband and family. Much about life under Saddam Hussein.

It is expected that further additions will be made to this collection.