New York Times: Little Syria (Now Tiny Syria) Finds New Advocates [Arab History in Lower Manhattan]

The New York Times ^ | January 1, 2012 | David W. Dunlap

[TFine80]

In 1891, Yusuf Sadallah arrived in Lower Manhattan from the town of Baskinta, in the part of the Ottoman Empire that is now Lebanon. Going by the name of Joseph Sadallah, he set up a trading shop on Washington Street, where other immigrants from the Levant — Syrians, Lebanese and Palestinians — had created a vibrant Arab quarter known as Little Syria.

Most residents were Christian, their loyalties divided only between St. George’s Syrian Catholic Church at 103 Washington Street and St. Joseph’s Maronite Church at 57 Washington Street, later at 157 Cedar Street.

[john drake]

What most people don’t understand is that most of the Middle Eastern peoples that emigrated to the U.S. up until the 1970’s were Arab Christians leaving the Middle East for opportunities and to get away from the suppression and murder that their Religion of Peace following neighbors committed upon them. Hmmmmmm, and these same Christian Arabs in the Middle East are now being persecuted and murdered again (severely) and we let their persecutors into the West by the millions. Societal suicide by slow motion......

[stonehouse01]

Very astute - post of the day -

The Copts - I cry for them

St. Augustine Pray for us

[TFine80]

Yes, I think it is important for Americans to understand the 19th century wave of Arab immigration. Ignorance on this question has created too much racism toward “Arabs;” the history of Arab-Lebanese-Syrian immigration to Lower Manhattan should be a nice counterpoint.

[pabianice]

It’s never been about nationality or religion. It’s always been about those who wish to become Americans and those that hate America and spit on her from within.