Al-Wafa Newspapers, الوفاء

Arabs--United States

Newspapers

Arab American newspapers

Arabic periodicals

Biographical/Historical Note

Al-Wafa, الوفاء [Fidelity] was a semi-weekly Arabic-language newspaper published in Lawrence, Massachusetts between 1907 until approximately 1910. In the early twentieth century, Lawrence was home to one of the largest Lebanese populations in the United States. Unlike other large communities, such as New York City, it was unique for the high percentage of immigrants who worked in factories.

Al-Wafa was an initiative of the Zahley Association, a group of immigrants who had largely originated from Zahlé, Lebanon. They maintained ties with one another, and were involved in the formation of the Al-Wafa Publishing Company. The paper was edited by Joseph M. Khoury, and was one of two that was published in Lawrence in the first decades of the twentieth century. At least two more Arabic-language newspapers were published out of Boston. Though short-lived, Al-Wafa had a transnational circulation with copies read in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Its religious leanings were Christian and its political orientation was fairly neutral, not yet distanced from the Ottoman identity. It leaned towards Orthodox Christianity with frequent reports on fundraising efforts for the construction of churches and other religious events. Despite Lawrence’s large working-class population, the intended audience of the paper appears to be middle-class immigrants.

Scope/Contents Note

Al-Wafa Newspapers collection contains digitized newspapers from March 29, 1907 to May 5, 1910.

The paper offers insight into an early Arab-American community outside of New York. It chronicles visitors to Lawrence from other places throughout the diaspora, business openings and job opportunities, conflict between the Syrio-Lebanese and other immigrant communities, and advertisements for businesses. It also contains news on events in the United States and around the world.

To access the fully searchable digitized issues of the newspaper, search the Khayrallah Center's Arabic Newspaper database.

Joseph M. Khoury

Al-Wafa Publishing Co.

Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies

1907-1910

Al-Wafa was digitized by the Khayrallah Center in collaboration with Lawrence Public Library Special Collections and with thanks to Dr. Linda K. Jacobs. 

Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.

Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.

The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials.

These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings.

Arabic

NS 0008

Boston Public Library