I just found out about this a couple of days ago via www.360east.com, but apparantely it has been common knowledge for some time now.
By blood, Steve Jobs, founder and CEO of Apple Computers and the ‘God of i-Pod’, is an Arab-American. Born to American mother Joanne Carole Schieble, and Syrian Political Science Professor Abdulfattah Jandali. The couple had given him up for adoption after birth since they were both in grad school still and could not cope with the responsibilities of having a child at the time.
More information from this article.
Other prominent persons with Arabic/Middle Eastern roots include: Senator George Mitchell (Senate Majority Leader), Ralph Nader, Sammy Hagar, General John Abizaid, Salma Hayek, Shakira, Frank Zappa, and many more.
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Even I, a third generation Arab (but a full-blooded Canadian), knew that Steve Jobs had a Syrian father and was adopted and raised by Armenian parents. This is such old news! But your Website offers very interesting perspectives, and I’m sure most people don’t know his background because he has been very private about it. I’ve bookmarked you site for future reference. Thanks.
I meant “your” site and not “you” site.
Thank you for visiting and bookmarking the site, Donald! I apologize to you and other readers of the blog for the irregular updates so far this month. My work load increased exponentially in July and August. In addition, I have been preoccupied with the upcoming launch of a new business in Halifax.
I anticipate being able to post more frequently again by early September.
Stay tuned!
Um nor Shakira nor Salma Hayek are Arab-AMERICANS. One is Colombian and the other is Mexican.
You’re right, anon. Apologies for the oversight. Post has been corrected.
Salma Hayek is half Arab and half Spanish. Her paternal grandparents came from Lebanon, her maternal grandparents came from Spain. Hayek is a known arab family name in Lebanon. Because of her Arab ancestry, Salma is considered by Arab-Americans as one of their own. Shakira on the other hand is proud of her arabian heritage. She is a native Spanish speaker and also speaks fluent English, Portuguese, Italian, and Arabic. When Shakira was four, her father took her to a local Middle Eastern restaurant, where Shakira first heard the doumbek, a traditional drum used in Arabic music and which typically accompanied belly dancing. Shakira means “thankful” (شاكِرة) in Arabic. It is the feminine form of the name Shakir. Her second name, Isabel, is also that of her paternal grandmother, meaning “my god is my oath”, “my god’s house” or “my god is abundance”. She said ” because my father is of 100% Lebanese descent, I am devoted to Arabic tastes and sounds.”
thanks for sharing this one!