Your go-to girl for the social side of the Arab Spring!

 “As a Syrian-American who “survived growing up in the cross-fire of two of the most diametrically opposed cultures, the East and the West,” Khalil is no doubt an expert on the subject of assimilation. And though dealing with a potentially serious subject (especially considering the current xenophobic climate of our country), Khalil instead chooses a tongue-in-cheek approach, presenting her ideas as a self-help book—but one that relies heavily on humor to educate and help.”

- The Pittsburgh Magazine, June 2010

Dalel B. Khalil is a Syrian-American who survived, what she calls, The REAL War on Terror – living in the cross-fire of two of the most diametrically opposed cultures – the conservative Arab and liberal American cultures.

Having been raised precisely in the middle of veil and thong, Dalel has the rare ability to not only understand both worlds – but also to address sensitive issues and serious cultural contradictions in a creative, palatable way.  Best of all, her fun, engaging and charismatic personality enables her to translate those differences to others in a non-threatening, Colbert-like way! She has traveled to 18 different countries and is committed to fostering peace through humor and culture.

Dalel spent time in Damascus, Syriawhere she volunteered with Iraqi refugees and did public relations work with the Middle East Fellowship and IOCC helping to provide humanitarian relief to millions of displaced Iraqis. She met directly with UNHCR officials, and NGO’s such as Mercycorps and the Red Crescent. She also engaged in many cross-cultural and multi-faith discussions in order to promote dialogue between the East and the West. Activities included exchanges with the peoples of Holland, Italy, Syria and Iraq, the Jazz in Syria Summer Concert Series, the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, visits to ancient mosques and churches, as well as panel discussions with Imams and Bishops.  This was her first trip alone to the Middle East, during which time she traveled extensively throughSyria, as well as toJordan,Dubai andLebanon.

She also got yelled at by rude taxi drivers who begged her to speak English because they didn’t quite understand her “ghetto-fabulous” Syrian accent. (Yill an…!)

Dalel lectures nationally at colleges such as Wellesleyand presented at the 2009 ADC Conference featuring former President Bill Clinton. Prior to that, she worked as an anchor, reporter, talk show host and morning show co-host for three of Pittsburgh’s top radio stations (WDVE, WAMO, KDKA) as well as a columnist/blogger for three Arab-American magazines. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Friends of Saint Patrick – Pittsburgh Chapter, which supports the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick,Northern Ireland’s peace and reconciliation efforts.  Dalel is currently halfway done with her second book.

Dalel has a profound love of cultures—this is primarily due to her amazing parents who instilled in their children a love for cultures, well before being multi-cultural became fashionable. Whether Malaysian, African, Brazillian or British, Agnes “Aggie” Khalil loved people from every corner of the world.

And she loved peace, too.

On the eve of the Yom Kippur war, when Middle Easttensions were extremely high, her family’s restaurant (Khalil’s) was jammed packed with patrons waiting to be seated. So Aggie, in natural form, sat a party of Jewish diners down to eat dinner with a party of Arabic diners—on one table. That was Aggie. Most certainly, she did it with a twinkle in her eye.

It is my sincere hope that readers will not only discover the beauty and richness of the Arabic culture and its people, but also to come to see the undeniable truth – that regardless of our differences – we are all the same underneath.  We all bleed, cry, laugh, and love. We are all God’s children.

Come, let us share, delight and discover each other. Let each culture bring its own unique dish to the world banquet, and let us celebrate this wonderful feast of life, together!

Ahallan Wa Sahallan!

(Welcome, in Arabic)

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To request a speaking engagment contact Cynthia Damaskos at The Orthodox Speakers Bureau