Argentina is a very large country on the southeast of South America, running from the polar south to the tropical north. The population is very European in ancestry, with roughly half being pure-European in background, and another large section being mostly European in background.
It has a large Arab population (9±%), but which is intermarried and assimilated into the country’s larger demographic This is because it is heavily Maronite (Catholic) Lebanese who assimilate well.
Interestingly, Argentina has around 180,000 Jews – the seventh largest Jewish population in the world – and they can be politically active.
There is no reason that our own networks ignore Latin America, and it does cost us in influence. If you think that Latin Americans do not notice who is paying attention to them, then you are mistaken.
Some of Al Jazeera’s more recent reports for South America.
This particular video of his gives instructions on how Arabs can apply to go to Argentina … he gives the instructions in Arabic.
This is what the author of the video writes on the video description area:
How can you obtain permanent or annual DNI residency during the election period and take advantage of this golden opportunity every four years once during the election period as in Argentine law any foreign immigrant resident in Argentina with a DNI [National Identity Card] card is entitled to vote and for this reason during the election period They make a lot of facilities to give most of the immigrants who hold a Berkaria card give them directly to the DNI to participate in their right to the elections How can you find out more details about this issue and who can help you in taking all your papers before the election period to obtain residency quickly other than expected and how and where more information on this subject In this video, follow the video to the end and focus on every information. This opportunity comes once every four years. It is Argentina. It is Buenos Aires. It is God’s paradise on earth. Look with your eyes and have mercy on your heart.
This might help some Palestinians who are desperate to get out of Gaza.
This particular video is from a larger YouTube channel about Arabs in Argentina.
Not Just Chilestinians, but many leftists in Argentina are protesting against Israeli actions during this Gaza War.
Points to remember:
1) Unlike Chile – or most of Latin America, for that matter – Argentina has had a large and influential Jewish community.
2) Most Arabs in Argentina are Syrian- or Lebanese-Christians. Palestinian Arabs among them are a minority. Most Arab-Argentines are Christian.
3) Argentina is on the other side of the world, so it is late autumn there.
4) Unlike Chile, Palestinians are not very influential in Chile. However, leftists are influential. Hence, they are protesting against Israel, but for different reasons that the Chilestinos. For the Chilestinos, it is a matter of heritage and family. Not so for most Argentines.
Arab culture in Latin America has produced a wealth of music. The most well-known musician was Mario Kirlis, an Argentine composer, band leader whose fame has spread world-wide. Oddly, though an admirer of Arab music, Mario Kirlis was not himself of Arab ancestry, but rather the son of Greek immigrants to Argentina.
He is probably most famous for what is called bellydance music. Yet, a lot of his tunes are much more than that.
I want you to listen to the tune Awal Suhur (morning meal before the daytime fast of Ramadan), on the top video.
Just close your eyes. This music is truly beautiful, above and apart from the women who might dance to it.
Mario Kirlis was the [chief] exponent of Arabic music in Latin America. His music is heard in Chile, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, the United States, Mexico, countries that he had already visited and had had an excellent reception from the public.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, he is the son of Nicolás Kirlis, a Greek violinist who was one of the first exponents of Arabic music in Argentina. At the age of 7 he began to study piano, harmony, counterpoint and composition.
He carried out in-depth research on Arabic music, with musicians who emigrated from the Middle East and arrived in Argentina.
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He was famous and had performed all over Latin America and the Arab world. He had even performed in China.
Mario Kirlis: Lat Jaf
Posted on YouTube: December 5, 2019
Of course, there is a lot more Latin Arab music in South America than just Mario Kirlis, but as he was world famous, and a maestro, I figured that I should give you the best.
February 14, 2024 – Corrected an ambiguity. Kirlis passed away in 2023.