Overview
 The Middle Eastern communities were among the very first waves of immigrants to arrive here in Southwestern Pennsylvania. They arrived in two waves to form a very colorful, very diverse community that contributed greatly to the building and growth of this area. The early immigration were mainly hard laborers who were seeking work in the mines and factories of Western PA. Most of them were Lebanese and Syrian, while others were Egyptian and Palestinian. They settled in areas such as Aliquippa, New Castle, New Kensington, Homestead, and Pittsburgh. The second wave of immigrants included other Middle Eastern nationalities. Some were professionals such as doctors, lawyers, engineers and professors. Others came as students to the internationally known universities of Pittsburgh. Many talented and able people received positions with the major corporations of the area.
 Among the nationalities of this wave were Iraqis, Moroccans, Iranians, Libyans and others. Our great hospitals also played a big role in bringing some very top royal family members of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for kidney and heart transplant operations.
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Community Organizations
An immigrant from the Middle East who's interested in coming to Southwestern Pennsylvania would find all the comforts of home. There is Our Lady of Victory Lebanese Maronite Catholic Church in Scott Township to serve the Maronite and the Catholics. There is St. George Syrian Orthodox church that serves the Orthodox families and for the Muslim families, the Muslim Center in Oakland serves Muslims from all over the area. There is no shortage of Middle Eastern food either. Middle Eastern have several markets that provide all specialty foods as Pitaland on Brookline Blvd. and Salim's Middle Eastern foods in Oakland. Salem Halal Meat Market in Oakland also provides halal products for Muslim families.
The photo of olives is courtesy of The Multimedia Library, Copyright 1999.
Our Lady of Victory Maronite Church
Rev. James A. Root
1000 Lindsay Rd.
Carnegie, PA 15106
Phone: 412-278-0841
Fax: 412-248-0846
Pitaland Mediterranean Bakery and Grocery
Offers a large selection of imported foods. 620 Brookline Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15226-2004
Phone: 412-561-9285
http://www.pitaland.com/
Salim's - Middle Eastern and Greek Food
Imported groceries, eat in and take-out, catering. 4725 Center Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-621-8110
http://www.salimsfoods.com/
Salem's Halal Meats & Groceries
Mid-Eastern foods & catering: beef, lamb, goat, and poultry. 338 South Bouquet Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-621-4354
Fax: 412-621-5140
Oakland Café
315 N Craig St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412 683-4300
Great for eat-in, take-out or catering
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