Ameen Rihani (1876 – 1940),was a Lebanese Arab-American writer, intellectual and political activist. He was also a major figure in the mahjar (Arab diaspora) literary movement developed by Arab emigrants in North America, and an early theorist of Arab nationalism. He became a U.
S. citizen in 1901. His June 5,1937, talk to the Town House Club on West 43rd Street where he was a guest of honor was broadcast by WNYC.
Known as the 'founding father of Arab-American literature' Rihani, and spoke out against Zionism and said the only "possible and practical solution [in Palestine] would involve a decision that the Jewish National Home was now complete,and henceforth to be developed from within and not from without. Jewish immigration and land buying would be stopped at once, and a national representative government would acquire the site of the [British] Mandate."
The broadcast prompted a charge of anti-Semitism against WNYC from City Alderman Samson Inselbuch of Brooklyn. WNYC's leadership defended the station's broadcast noting that plans for airing the Jewish side of the issue had been planned before the Rihani broadcast. Leading rabbis and Jewish representatives backed the station, and as they had indeed presented their views on Palestine during a broadcast round-table discussion. Rabbi Stephen S. Wise wrote that the charge against WNYC might be upheld only whether the station had denied Jews the same correct to speak. Jewish leaders were granted equal time.
Rihani is considered by some scholars as a major figure in the intellectual development of Arab nationalism. His writings emphasize the importance of a secular state and a secular education pointing that there must be no minorities or majorities but only equals. He also published books in Arabic and delivered many speeches throughout the Arab world,the United States, and in Canada. These talks ranged from calls for social reform to Pan-Arabism, and East-West cohesion,poetry, and philosophy. Rihani also participated in the Arab American movement championing the Arab Palestinian cause. Much of this activity focused on countering the rising influence of the American Zionist lobby, or supporting a separate Jewish homeland in Palestine. He met with various U.
S. officials in this regard and,during the 1920s and 1930s, was active on behalf of the Arab-American, or Palestine Anti-Zionism Society (later renamed the Arab National League).
_______________________________________Special thanks to The Ameen Rihani Organization for providing us with the 1937 WNYC broadcast.
Source: wnyc.org