Faisal Michael Arabo

Born in Iraq on April 7, 1930, Faisal Michael Arabo lived a storied life. At age 21 and with little more than $120 in his pocket, he boarded the T.S.S. Atlantic and began the 21 - day passage to New York in pursuit of the American Dream.

From his 1970s radio program on Voice of America to his long-running Arabic news TV show “Arab Voice in Detroit”, Faisal dedicated his time to the education and entertainment of thousands of Arab Americans who longed to stay connected to their ethnic and cultural roots. He also represented the community through his political advocacy, chairing the End Sanctions Against Iraq committee in the 1990s and leading multiple missions to Iraq, documenting conditions in the country and raising awareness of the plight of Iraqi Christians.

Cherished husband of Virjean Arabo, father to Farah, Fairuz, Firas, Fay and Flora, grandfather to Patrick, Thomas, Jack, Niko, Jensen, and Cosette, friend to many, and pioneer to our community, Faisal will long be remembered for the path he chartered for future generations of Iraqi immigrants.