Nurse Lana joins the Arab Is Me Podcast for one of our most powerful conversations yet. A critical care nurse, humanitarian, author, entrepreneur, and Mrs. Arab USA, Lana shares what she witnessed while volunteering inside Gaza, the survivor's guilt that followed her home, and the remarkable resilience of the Palestinian people. We also discuss her book Healing Under Fire, advocacy, identity, faith, and the moments that changed her life forever—along with plenty of laughter and our signature Arab rapid-fire questions.

Guest: Nurse Lana
📍 Critical Care Nurse | Humanitarian | Author of Healing Under Fire | Mrs. Arab USA | Advocate

Follow Nurse Lana: @nurse_lana

Arab Is Me Podcast is where comedians, creators, leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and changemakers share authentic conversations about Arab identity, culture, heritage, and the stories that shape who we are.

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#ArabIsMe #NurseLana #Palestine #Gaza #Healthcare #Humanitarian #HealingUnderFire #ArabPodcast #Palestinian #ArabAmerican #MiddleEast #Podcast

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Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique.

🎙️ New episodes released regularly.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests.

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Most people know Nina Kharoufeh as the hilarious hijabi comedian with millions of views, appearances on TLC's Muslim Matchmaker, the Food Network, and stages around the world. But in this episode of the Arab Is Me Podcast, we go far beyond the viral clips.

Nina opens up about what it's really like navigating life as a Palestinian-American, Muslim, comedian, author, amateur boxer, and public figure who often feels misunderstood. Together, we discuss the pressure of representing an entire community, the double standards placed on hijabi women, speaking out for Palestine, cancel culture, identity, stereotypes, and why so many people get her wrong.

We also dive into the current state of Arab comedy, what audiences still don't understand about Muslim entertainers, performing in Palestine, social media, and the personal experiences that shaped Nina into the person she is today.

Of course, it wouldn't be Arab Is Me without plenty of laughs along the way—from Malfoof vs. Warak Enab debates to awkward Arab weddings, family WhatsApp groups, dating, and rapid-fire questions that put Nina on the spot.

Whether you've followed Nina for years or you're meeting her for the first time, this conversation reveals a side of her that rarely gets the spotlight.

In this episode:

• Nina's journey through comedy and entertainment
• Growing up Palestinian and Muslim in America
• The double standards of being a hijabi comedian
• Speaking out for Palestine and handling public criticism
• Why lazy Arab comedy holds our community back
• Life behind social media and common misconceptions
• Arab culture, family traditions, and identity
• A hilarious rapid-fire Arab "This or That" finale

Follow Nina Kharoufeh:
Instagram: @ninakharoufeh

Follow Arab Is Me:
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook & X: @arabismepodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves authentic conversations about Arab identity, culture, and the stories that connect us.

Send us Fan Mail

Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique.

🎙️ New episodes released regularly.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests.

🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com
📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast
🎧 Apple Podcasts:
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📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast
🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast
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**What does it take to spend your career defending a community—and what happens when one chapter comes to an end?**

In this episode of **Arab Is Me**, Said Durrah sits down with attorney, civil rights advocate, and former Executive Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), **Abed Ayoub**, for an honest conversation about Arab identity, advocacy, leadership, and what's next.

Abed shares his journey growing up in **Dearborn, Michigan**, why the city is so often misunderstood, and how it shaped his commitment to protecting civil rights and serving the Arab American community. Together, Said and Abed discuss the realities of immigration law, the challenges facing Arab advocacy organizations, the importance of strong local leadership, and the lessons learned from leading one of the nation's most recognizable Arab American civil rights organizations.

The conversation also explores Abed's transition following his time at ADC, his vision for the future of Arab advocacy, and why meaningful change often begins at the local level—not just in Washington.

**In this episode:**
• Why Dearborn is one of the most misunderstood cities in America
• Growing up Arab American in Michigan
• Defending civil rights and immigrant communities
• The realities of immigration law and advocacy
• Leadership during times of crisis
• Lessons learned after leading ADC
• The future of Arab advocacy in America
• Building stronger local communities
• Rapid-fire Arab dilemmas in Al-Bab

---

**About Arab Is Me**

Hosted by **Said Durrah**, *Arab Is Me* explores the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through authentic conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, every episode celebrates the diversity of the Arab experience—one story at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, please **like**, **subscribe**, and **share** it with someone who would enjoy the conversation. New episodes released regularly.

Follow Arab Is Me:
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🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast

#AbedAyoub #ArabIsMe #SaidDurrah #Dearborn #DearbornMichigan #ArabAmerican #CivilRights #Advocacy #ADC #ImmigrationLaw #MiddleEast #Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Arab Is Me is a podcast hosted by Said Durrah exploring the many ways people experience, express, and define what it means to be Arab. Through conversations with artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, activists, comedians, and community leaders, each episode celebrates the stories, cultures, and perspectives that make our community so unique.

🎙️ New episodes released regularly.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow @arabismepodcast for behind-the-scenes content, clips, and upcoming guests.

🌐 Website: arabismepodcast.com
📺 YouTube: arabismepodcast
🎧 Apple Podcasts:
🎧 Spotify:
📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast
🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast
📘 Facebook: