(U.S. Air Force Colonel James Jabara) PhotoQuest//Getty Images

Arab Americans

Arab Americans represent a diverse ethnicity composed of several waves of immigrants from Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa. As described by the Arab American Institute in Washington, D.C., they have been settling in significant numbers in the U.S. since the 1880s. Approximately 85% of Arab Americans are U.S. citizens, and their culture reflects a rich heritage spanning thousands of years.

Arab Americans excel in education and business, with many achieving success as entrepreneurs and professionals. They have also become an influential presence in political discourse.

Ya Hala FM will introduce an Arab American personality each week who has contributed to the building of our country from the Civil War in 1861 to the present.

This week’s featured individual is Col. James Gabara, an Arab American who became the first jet ace in the history of the American Air Force in 1951.