• Where are you from?/Where is your heritage from? What you do in the US:

I am from Lebanon. I lived there until I was 16 years old then lived in Kuwait for 10 years and have been living in New York City since 2005. I  own a fashion design and manufacturing company, a uniform design and manufacturing company and a luxury consulting international company.

• What do you love most about your country/heritage?

I love the history of my region, the social diversity, the music, the food and the beautiful nature.

• Favorite food (and why? Did your Mum, Grandma, Dad make this? What does it remind you of?)

I grew up in a mountain village called MajdelBaana and in a house where my mom is an amazing cook. I enjoyed the best dishes from the big variety the Lebanese cosine offers. All the ingredients were organic and home grown. My favorites are Okra, Molokhia and many more.

• Stereotypes of Al-Sham you think need reversing?

“I am half Lebanese and half Palestinian” You are not two halves, you are a whole.

• An icon from al-Sham that everyone should know about and why?

Ameen Rihani, who immigrated in 1888 to New York City. He wrote Arabic Poetry, he wrote about the Levantine women and social movements.

“Only a well-rounded intellect, a spirit nourished in the eternal sources of intelligence and culture, of justice and wisdom, is a safeguard against both indifference and skepticism.”

“Ameen Rihani “