'It’s not about ink, it’s about stories': New Arabic newspaper hits the shelves in Atlantic Canada
It took nearly two years of planning and preparation, but this month marked the start of a new print publication in Atlantic Canada.
“I said ‘you know what, I need something that’s just a link for all those people from back home, from different parts of the country, to their home, to their heritage, to their culture.’ So that’s where Atlantic Arabic came just to fill that gap,” said founder Ali Ettarnichi.
The first issue of Atlantic Arabic, a full Arabic publication, hit the shelves across the Maritimes.
“What people can expect is just diversity. A diverse newspaper that has everything from the community, from its culture to its news, and for also like it’s a good tool for immigrants to know,” he said.
Ettarnichi says the publication is a valuable resource for his community.
“It is a tool that provides people with what’s going on in the community and the stuff that they look for like stores, where they can find some groceries from back home,” he said.
“Also a lot of people like to eat Halal, there’s a lot of stores for Halal.”
As the community grows across Atlantic Canada, Ettarnichi says so does the need for information delivered in people’s native language.
He is also the founder of Atlantic Arabic TV, another option for people to consume news and information in Arabic.
Ettarnichi hopes releasing this new form of newspaper will address the growing need, fill the gap and provide a little bit of comfort.
“Imagine if you’re coming from a different country and you leave everything behind and the first thing you come when you get to the airport, you see a newspaper in your own language,” he said.
“You still have that touch with your country, you still have touch with the country you just arrive to, so with this is a link that keeps the culture and heritage of back home and at the same time you start a new beginning in a new country.”
The plan is to release monthly issues both online and in physical copy.
Right now, Ettarnichi says the paper can be found in any Arabic store across Atlantic Canada. Additionally, in the Greater Moncton Area, it can be found at locations such as the three public libraries, HS Empire, local hotels, and local businesses.
“They’ve had to come back twice I think to bring back some more because we ran out,” said White Cab general manager Claude Pierre Gagne.
“The Arabic community is ever expanding in Moncton, just like many other places, and of course we support local businesses and this is local and that’s why we want to support it and we have many drivers as well that are from the Arabic community.”
With his first issue released, Ettarnichi says he really wants to cover all of Atlantic Canada and even beyond with the online option.
“It’s not about paper, it’s not about ink, it’s about stories,” he said.
“It’s about nostalgia, it’s about something that’s linked to your heart and something that speaks to the heart and brings you back home.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation is the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Judge raises threat of jail in hush money trial as he holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
Video captures deadly wrong-way police chase on Highway 401 in Ontario
A new video has surfaced showing a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 moments prior to a fatal crash that killed four people, including an infant and their grandparents.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.