Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Niyū Yūrk': Highlights Middle Eastern and North African History in New York"

Host: Alison Stewart, WNYC
Guest: Hiba Abid, Curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the New York Public Library
Air Date: December 3, 2025
Exhibit: "New York: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City" at NYPL

Overview

This episode delves into the new exhibit at the New York Public Library, "New York: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City," which uncovers the multifaceted histories of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities in New York from 1880 onwards. Alison Stewart speaks with curator Hiba Abid about the waves of immigration, contributions, challenges, and vibrant community life created by MENA immigrants, including underrepresented groups such as Armenians, Syrians, and North Africans. The episode also features moving listener stories and places special emphasis on cultural contributions, press, literature, and the ongoing legacy of these communities in New York.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Exhibit’s Purpose and Origins

• Conception: Hiba Abid began researching MENA materials at NYPL three years prior and saw the need to highlight this underrepresented community.

  "We thought, let's do an exhibition on this very underrepresented community." (03:11, Hiba)

• Scope: The exhibit spans from the late 19th century to modern times, focusing on immigrants from Greater Syria, now Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine.

2. Who Are 'MENA' Communities?

• Definition: "MENA" refers to communities from the Middle East and North Africa, including Arabic speakers, Armenians, Iranians, Turks, and others.

  "MENA stands for Middle Eastern North African." (03:12, Hiba)

3. Early Immigration and Identity Challenges

• Classification: Immigrants struggled with U.S. racial categories and had to file court cases to be considered "white" for citizenship rights.

  "They started advocating and litigating their racial classification in court to be accounted for as white so that they could have access to citizenship." (03:24, Hiba)

• Perception: The homogenization of these communities in federal law and discourse led to ongoing misrepresentation and underrepresentation.

4. The Library’s Role in Community Life (1890s Onwards)

• Oriental Division: Opened in 1897, collected materials from the MENA region and became an important hub.

  "It became a space to build a sense of belonging, a space where readers and patrons from MENA heritage could come and find accessible and, you know, have free access to knowledge." (06:02, Hiba)

• Resources: Newspapers, guidebooks, cookbooks, and records documented diverse everyday life, making the library a vital meeting place.

5. Migration Patterns and Settlement

• Motivations: Economic crises and American missionary schools fueled migration.

  "So it really, this idea of immigrating to the US started burgeoning in their minds." (06:45, Hiba)

• Neighborhoods: Settlers founded "Little Syria" near Battery Park; later, communities moved to Brooklyn (e.g., Sahadi’s on Atlantic Ave), Astoria, and Bay Ridge.

6. Religion and Community Dynamics

• Christian vs. Muslim Immigrants: Christians (the majority) assimilated more easily due to religious ties and perception, while Muslims faced suspicion and legal barriers.

  "They did face greater suspicion and marginalization... officials labeled him as, I quote, believer in the practice of polygamy..." (09:09, Hiba, recounting historical discrimination)

• Notable Case: Mohamed Judah—from Algeria—was denied entry on the basis of presumed polygamy, a common discriminatory practice tied to the 1891 Immigration Act.

7. Expanded MENA Identity: Armenians, Iranian, Turkish Communities

• Listener Call-Ins:
  • Sonia from Forest Hills: Shared that 27th Street (between 3rd Ave and Lexington) was once "Little Armenia."
  • Text Message: Listener’s ancestors came through Syria, founded businesses, and achieved professional milestones.

  "The show is not restricted or limited to Arabic speaking communities... It includes Armenians, Iranians and also Turkish people." (11:32, Hiba)

• Armenians: Became prominent after the genocide; active in arts, music, and business.

8. The Press, Literature, and Cultural Expression

• Newspapers: NYC produced over 50 Arabic language periodicals between 1890 and 1940.

  "The press was really at the heart of early Middle Eastern life in New York." (13:45, Hiba)

• Arabic Linotype Machine: Saloon Mucarzal developed the first, revolutionizing Arabic print globally.
• The PEN League: Literary society of writers and poets, including Kahlil Gibran, innovated Arabic literature by integrating American literary influences.

  "This group of writers and poets really revolutionized and rethought Arabic literature, poetry, and language..." (15:16, Hiba)

• Women’s Roles: Though documentation is rare, women contributed as workers, founders, and organizers—most notably through groups like the Syrian Ladies Aid Society.

  "It was a challenge to find written records of women's presence... but we know that they were involved in every aspect of the burgeoning community." (15:54, Hiba)

9. Addressing Islamophobia and Contemporary Relevance

• Historical and Recent Islamophobia: Hiba struggled to represent Islamophobia due to limited archival material but highlighted a post-9/11 documentary featuring Arab women’s experiences.

  "The film and the documentary end with a message of hope... that it is a resilient community and they are more organized today." (17:30, Hiba)

• Hopeful Future: The exhibit coincides with New York’s first Muslim mayor, inspiring optimism about inclusion and representation.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "New York... that's how mostly Arabic speaking people pronounced and said New York when they arrived."
  – Hiba Abid (02:07)
• "They started advocating and litigating their racial classification in court to be accounted for as white..."
  – Hiba Abid (03:24)
• "27th street... was called Little Armenia at one time."
  – Sonia, caller (10:51)
• "In New York, Saloon Mucarzal patented the first Arabic linotype machine, making the written word more accessible."
  – Hiba Abid (14:03)
• "The PEN League... Kahlil Gibran... they tried to innovate Arabic and break the conventions of Arabic classical literature."
  – Hiba Abid (15:04)
• "It was a challenge to find written records of women's presence... but we know they were involved in every aspect."
  – Hiba Abid (15:54)
• "The film and the documentary end with a message of hope... it is a resilient community and they are more organized today."
  – Hiba Abid (17:30)

Important Timestamps

• [02:24] – Hiba Abid on conceptualizing the exhibit
• [03:12] – Defining "MENA"
• [03:24] – Race and citizenship for early immigrants
• [06:02] – NYPL's Oriental Division as a hub
• [08:05] – Little Syria & later moves to Brooklyn
• [09:09] – Differences in treatment of Christian and Muslim immigrants
• [10:51] – Sonia shares history of Little Armenia
• [11:32] – Inclusion of Armenians and others in the exhibit
• [13:45] – The heart of the press in immigrant life
• [15:04] – The PEN League and Arabic literature
• [15:54] – Women's community organizations
• [17:30] – Islamophobia and resilience post-9/11

Conclusion

This episode offers a rich, multidimensional portrait of Middle Eastern and North African immigrant life in New York, skillfully weaving oral histories, archival discoveries, and lived experiences. Through Hiba Abid’s insights and the voices of listeners, it reveals the diversity, struggles, and dynamic cultural legacy of these often-overlooked communities. The conversation is both an invitation to visit the exhibit and a powerful reminder of the many threads woven into New York’s cultural fabric.