Detroit Historical Museum Presents Arab-American Film This Weekend

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit Historical Society continues its monthly Film Series with "Our Arab American Story" showing Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15 at 1 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum. Each screening is free with general admission to the Museum.

Metro Detroit is home to one of the largest, most diverse Arab communities outside the Middle East. Arab Americans living here number nearly 200,000, having begun their immigration more than a century ago.

"Our Arab American Story," by Emmy-Award winning director Keith Famie, presents an in-depth look at the group's customs, holidays, religious alliances and the complexities of being Arab American though the eyes of several local entrepreneurs, artists and community leaders who have made an impact in Metro Detroit.

The film, part of Famie's groundbreaking "Our Story of…" series on ethnic Detroit, tracks the predominant Arabic groups in Detroit: Lebanese, Palestinians, Iraqis and Yemenis — and pays special attention to their two major religious communities, Muslim and Christian. It also shares an honest overview of their triumphs and tragedies.

The Detroit Historical Museum, located at 5401 Woodward, is open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Normal adult admission is $6. Seniors (60+), students with valid ID and youth ages 5-17 pay $4. Admission for children ages four and under is free. Parking in the Museum's lot is $4 at all times. For more information, visit detroithistorical.org.