Arab Professionals in New York

In Arabic, Ziyara (زيارة) means visit to the saints. Celebrated filmmaker Simone Bitton embarks on a personal road trip across Morocco, tracing the remnants of the country’s once-thriving Jewish community. In the 1950s, Morocco was home to 300,000 Jews; today, only a small fraction remain, yet their saints’ tombs endure—cared for by Muslim guardians who preserve their memory. Through close examination of synagogues, shrines, and village records, Bitton uncovers stories of coexistence, loss, and endurance. Ziyara is both a meditation on migration and a hopeful reflection on shared heritage, revealing a delicate thread between past and present, tradition and modernity. As the camera gathers stories, smiles, and blessings, it patiently repairs connections long thought severed.

The Syracuse Middle Eastern Law Student Association represents a vibrant community of law students at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY who are passionate about understanding Middle Eastern legal systems and international affairs. As a student-led organization, it embodies the university's commitment to creating inclusive spaces where aspiring lawyers can explore diverse legal traditions and perspectives. The association welcomes students from all backgrounds who are interested in deepening their knowledge of the region and contributing to meaningful legal work on the global stage. Located within Syracuse University's College of Law community, this organization fosters meaningful connections among students who share common academic interests and professional goals. Members participate in collaborative learning experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom, creating lasting friendships and professional networks that support one another throughout law school and beyond. The association reflects the law school's broader mission of joining a community of aspiring lawyers dedicated to excellence and service. By bringing together students with diverse perspectives and experiences, the Syracuse Middle Eastern Law Student Association enriches the entire law school community. The organization demonstrates Syracuse University's dedication to preparing lawyers who understand the complexities of international law and global legal issues. Through shared learning, mentorship, and community building, members of this association develop not only professional expertise but also the cultural competence and global awareness essential for navigating an increasingly interconnected legal landscape. The organization stands as a testament to the value of student-driven initiatives in shaping the next generation of socially conscious legal professionals.

At the City University of New York School of Law in Long Island City, NY, the Middle Eastern and North African Law Society represents a vital community within the law school dedicated to centering the experiences and legal needs of Middle Eastern and North African populations. This student organization reflects CUNY Law's foundational commitment to diversity, equity, and using legal education as a tool for addressing systemic injustice. CUNY Law's mission—to graduate outstanding public interest attorneys while enhancing the diversity of the legal profession—directly informs the work of this student organization. The school, founded in 1983, has consistently been recognized among the top law schools for diversity across both its student body and faculty. The Middle Eastern and North African Law Society continues this legacy by creating inclusive spaces where students can explore how law intersects with their own communities' experiences and concerns. The organization operates within a community that values equity, inclusivity, and the sustained pursuit of justice. Members are drawn together by a shared understanding that legal education must address overlapping and intersecting injustices, including those affecting Middle Eastern and North African communities. By bringing together law students passionate about these issues, the organization builds solidarity, shares knowledge, and develops the next generation of advocates committed to transforming what justice looks like. Located in Long Island City's vibrant and diverse Queens community, the Middle Eastern and North African Law Society benefits from CUNY Law's position within one of the world's most culturally rich boroughs. The organization serves as both a support network for students and a platform for advancing legal understanding and advocacy that centers community voices and experiences.

The Permanent Mission of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations embodies Kuwait's commitment to peaceful diplomacy and international cooperation since joining the global organization in 1963. Based in New York, NY, the mission represents the values and interests of the Kuwaiti government while actively contributing to the United Nations' noble principles and purposes. Since its establishment, the State of Kuwait has pursued a balanced foreign policy grounded in dialogue, mutual respect, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations. The mission in New York, NY serves as the embodiment of this commitment, fostering relationships with countries and peoples worldwide based on principles of sovereignty, common interests, and shared cultural understanding. Kuwait's approach emphasizes dialogue over force, promoting tolerance and coexistence among different civilizations, cultures, and religions through its UN representation. Kuwait's humanitarian legacy distinguishes its role in the international community. The nation made history in 1961 by establishing the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, becoming the first developing country to create such an institution. This pioneering spirit continues through the mission's work in New York, NY, where Kuwait actively participates in sustainable development initiatives and supports international mechanisms for economic, social, cultural, and intellectual cooperation. The mission demonstrates Kuwait's multilateral depth through memberships in regional and international organizations including the Gulf Cooperation Council, League of Arab States, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Non-Aligned Movement. Through its presence in New York, NY, the Permanent Mission of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations continues advancing the nation's vision of international partnership, peaceful conflict resolution, and shared prosperity among nations and peoples.