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SEPTEMBER 2003
 Rebuilding Palestine
The Right to a Home and a Homeland Global Campaign is a coordinated, international movement to rebuild Palestinian homes and Middle East peace through strategic Palestinian and Israeli cooperation. Check out the great work they're doing — and the many ways you can help.
 Modern Middle Eastern Cooking
Traditional baba ghanoush requires roasting an eggplant for 30 to 40 minutes. In this microwave version developed by popular San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Tara Duggan, the eggplant cooks in just 8 to 10 minutes. We've tested this recipe, and it's great!
For yet one more reason why I subscribe to the Chronicle, check out The New Halal, a feature article by staff writer Carol Ness. It includes a handy list of halal restaurants and grocery stores in the Bay Area.
AUGUST 2003
 Maha Khalaf
July 23, 1974 - July 29, 2003
We are sad to report that after an incredibly courageous battle, Maha Khalaf passed away on Tuesday, July 29th.
Maha touched so many people with her fun loving smile and personality, her great sense of humor, intelligence, and love for everyone she met. Even in her illness she sought to help others by encouraging people to be added to the National Bone Marrow Registry in hopes of saving lives other than her own.
Please continue to hold her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers and help them continue to spread the word about the importance of joining the bone marrow registry. If you would like to make a donation in Maha's name, please use the PayPal link on the Match for Maha web site. The site will be updated soon with details as to how the donations will be used to honor Maha's life.
JULY 2003
Share Your Knowledge
In upcoming months, we plan to add Arabic script and sound to our Arabic name pages. If you are a native speaker and are interested in helping with this project, please let us know!
Cook up a Family Favorite
Of the 600 recipes included on this site, our favorites come from readers like you. This month we are featuring Paul Whitehead's fabulous Ferakh bil Hummus (Chicken with Chickpeas). We couldn't wait to try it at home, and were delighted with the results.
Paul's comments and tips: "This is a very tasty dish that my wife and I eat regularly and my friends like me to cook for them as well. It's very popular. A couple of things I have refined as I've gone along are the chili powder, which I find a bit bitter — for that I use cayenne pepper; and I use large onions, simmering them till they go very soft and golden coloured, I find this makes for a thicker richer sauce."
Delicious! If you have a favorite recipe that you're willing to share, we'd love to feature it. And we'd be happy to include your email and/or your web site link in the credits.
Save a Promising Young Life
Doctors still urgently seek a bone marrow donor for Maha Khalaf. There are still many drives scheduled for the month of June. There are also testing locations throughout California, Texas and Worldwide. You could be her best hope — so please get tested. A few minutes of your time could mean the answer to a family's prayers.
JUNE 2003
Saving a Life
Doctors are still urgently seeking a bone marrow donor for Maha Khalaf. There are upcoming drives in Walnut and Monterey Park, and testing locations worldwide. You could be her best hope — so please get tested. A few minutes of your time could mean the answer to her family's prayers. Step up to the plate and save a life!
Giving Thanks
You'll notice sound is now being added to the Arabic names and phrases pages! The voice behind those sound clips belongs to Sultan Al-Yahya, who generously offered to record them for us. Sultan is a native speaker from Jeddah, currently attending college in the States. He is also a very gracious young man. Thank you Sultan!
 Cooking up a Family Favorite
This month we're delighted to present Zeynep Gunal's family recipe for Turkish Hummus. Zeynep works as an Technical Architect in The Netherlands, and judging by this recipe, is also an excellent cook!
If you have a favorite recipe that you're willing to share, we'd love to feature it. And we'd be happy to include your email and/or your web site link in the credits.
Making a Difference in the World
With just a click of your mouse, sponsors of the Hunger Site will donate food to a person in need. They will also provide you with the opportunity to fund free mammograms, support children's health, save the Rain Forest, and feed a hungry animal. It's free, it's easy, and there's absolutely no excuse not to do it!
MAY 2003
In upcoming months, we plan to add several great new features to the site. Top of the list: including Arabic script and sound on our Arabic name pages. If you are a native speaker and are interested in helping with this project, please let us know!
Stay Apprised
Struggling to keep up with the situation in the Middle East? The headlines our news page are updated every 30 minutes.
 Our thoughts are with the people of Iraq, during this time of transition. In their honor, here is Iraqi Kazem El Saher singing "Ana wa Layla" and "Baghdad". These cds, as well as his latest, "Qusat Habebain" are available at our favorite online music source, ARAMUSIC.com.
APRIL 2003
Maha Update
Maha is out of the hospital and doing well after undergoing high-dose chemotherapy. She is again in stable condition, with her doctors watching her closely; they hope to find either a donor within the next two months, so testing is critical.
There will be a Fundraiser Party on Tuesday, April 22nd in San Francisco. Hors d'oeuvres, music, silent, live and bachelor auctions — and all the proceeds benefit "Match for Maha". We hope you can make it. It should be a great time!
Still, Maha isn't out of the woods yet. The Khalaf family and their friends are praying for your help. So get tested! All it takes is a simple blood test, a brief questionnaire and about twenty minutes of your time. There are testing locations worldwide.
Trying to keep up with the situation in Iraq? Check out our middle eastern news page. Headlines are updated every 30 minutes!
MARCH 2003
In February, we added a shopping page, where you'll find many middle eastern items for auction and for sale.
For March, our music page features two great new tracks from Amr Diab's latest cd, Allem Alby.
 After discovering a box of my father's old 45s, we're also considering posting some older music. The collection includes late 50s recordings by Fairuz, Fayza Ahmed, Abdel-Halim Hafez, Wadi Al-Safi, Nagat El Saghirah, and more (awaiting translation). Please let us know if there is interest in mp3s of these oldies.
Our recipe collection has grown! We've added dozens of wonderful new recipes, including
honey-orange and pistachio-filled eid cookies by acclaimed cookbook author Marcy Goldman.
FEBRUARY 2003
 Here's your opportunity to save a life.
Maha Khalaf has been undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of lymphoma. Her next stage of treatment is to undergo a bone marrow transplant and she needs to find a match within the next few weeks. You can help by registering to become a donor.
Anyone could be the match for Maha, so everyone reading this should be tested. You can also help by forwarding this information to others.
You must be between the ages of 18-60 and in good health. You'll be asked to complete a brief health questionnaire, sign a consent form and provide a small blood sample which will be tested to identify your tissue type. Its very easy and painless and only takes about 15 minutes of your time. There are a number of testing locations and upcoming drives in or around the San Francisco Bay Area.
If you are turned down from the national registry due to age or minor health problems, or if you'd like to be tested privately so that your results are not added to the National Registry, please e-mail a name, daytime address and phone number (for delivery purposes) to matchformaha@yahoo.com. A private testing kit will be sent to you. All you'll have to do is take the kit to your doctor or any nearby lab to have a small blood sample taken. A postage paid fed-ex return package is included and the test results will be sent to Maha directly.
For more ways to help, please visit matchformaha.org. For further information on being a marrow donor, you may also visit the National Bone Marrow Donor Program website at www.marrow.org.
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