Fatina Salaheddine

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Fatina Salaheddine, born in Akron, Ohio, developed the Al-Sahafa Newspaper out of her experience with the Cleveland Clinic as well as her experience in wedding and event planning in her company Nonabel Entertainment (Lebanon spelled backwards). Her initial experience as the VIP guest director for the Cleveland Clinic's Omni International Hotel prepared her for her life of traveling the world meeting with dignitaries. At age 22 she hosted Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates and his entourage when they came to the clinic.^[1] After a continuous barrage of inquiries into local Arab events by her friends and clients, she created Al-Sahafa to provide local Arab-focused information regarding events and entertainment. The paper's initial goal was to steer clear of politics, except for the editorial pages where readers would submit their views of politics.^[2] Fatina is interested in pursuing her skills in bridging the gap between America and the Middle East ^[3] and wants to leverage he knowledge of America and the Middle East to someday become a diplomat.^[4]

As a Lebanese-American ^[5] she has had an easy time immersing herself in Ohio's Arab communities. She has stated that the Lebanese assimilate easily into the US because Lebanon is heavily influenced by Western Europe. She also feels that high importance that the Lebanese place on family and education has helped them to be more successful in American culture.^[6] Fatina has seen firsthand how quickly Lebanese-Americans, like herself, have integrated into American society. Lebanon is a major tourist destination in the Middle East, and is therefore very accepting of other people's views and beliefs. Many Middle Eastern writers relocate to Beirut, Lebanon, so that they can express their thoughts freely and openly.^[7] Fatina uses her Lebanese heritage in the paper to reflect her ideals, daily life and culture through her Editor's Note section in each issue of Al-Sahafa.^[8]

Fatina also places a strong significance on learning multiple languages in her position as editor. Speaking Arabic is important to ensuring that the message is communicated. Being fluent in five languages, Fatina has had an easier time immersing herself in various cultures to aid in providing in-depth context for her articles.^[9] Each language used brings specific cultural connotations.^[10] Nevertheless, she felt it was important that Al-Sahafa be an English language paper to enforce the idea the Arab-Americans are truly Americans and to aid in bridging the gap between Arabs and other Americans.

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