**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

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**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.

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#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
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📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast
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What does it mean to be "too Arab" for one world and "too American" for another?

In this episode of Arab Is Me, Said Durrah sits down with Iraqi-American comedian, actress, writer, and content creator Reem Edan for one of the most honest conversations you'll hear about identity, belonging, comedy, and the pressure of representing your community.

Reem opens up about growing up between two cultures, navigating the expectations placed on Arab and Muslim women, finding success in comedy, and why she still sometimes struggles with feeling "Arab enough." Together, Said and Reem explore representation, social media, family expectations, the role of comedy during difficult times, and what it really means to build an authentic life without losing yourself.

Along the way, they also share plenty of laughs—from Arab weddings and Iraqi food to dating, parents, and the everyday moments every Arab family will recognize.

In this episode:
• Growing up Iraqi-American
• Feeling caught between two identities
• Building a career in stand-up comedy
• Family expectations and cultural pressure
• Comedy during times of war and crisis
• Social media, representation, and authenticity
• Why success doesn't always quiet self-doubt
• 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 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 conversation, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who would appreciate it. New episodes released regularly.

Follow Arab Is Me:
📺 YouTube:
🎧 Spotify:
🍎 Apple Podcasts:
📸 Instagram: @arabismepodcast
🎵 TikTok: @arabismepodcast

#ReemEdan #ArabIsMe #SaidDurrah #Iraqi #IraqiAmerican #ArabAmerican #StandUpComedy #Comedy #Identity #Podcast #MiddleEastern #ArabCulture

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:

In this episode of Arab Is Me, Said Durrah sits down with award-winning comedian, actor, and Ramy star Dave Merheje for an honest conversation about comedy, Arab identity, family, and finding your authentic voice.

Dave shares how growing up in a Lebanese household shaped his career, why authenticity matters more than stereotypes, how his family supported an unconventional dream, and the lessons he's learned from years on stage and screen.

Whether you're an aspiring comedian, a fan of Dave's work, or simply interested in the stories that shape the Arab experience, this conversation offers insight, humor, and plenty of unforgettable moments.

In this episode:
• Dave's journey from aspiring comedian to award-winning performer
• Growing up Lebanese in Canada
• Why Arab families are natural storytellers
• The art of stand-up comedy
• Finding your own voice instead of copying others
• Family support and pursuing unconventional careers
• Life on stage, acting, and everything in between

About Arab Is Me

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

🎙️ New episodes released regularly.

Subscribe and follow so you never miss an episode.

Follow Arab Is Me at @ArabIsMePodcast
📸 Instagram:
🎵 TikTok:
▶️ YouTube:
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🍎 Apple Podcasts:

#DaveMerheje #ArabIsMe #SaidDurrah #Lebanese #Arab #Comedy #StandUpComedy #Ramy #Podcast #ArabAmerican #MiddleEastern #Storytelling

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: