DEARBORN — A police officer and an Arab American resident were charged March 13 in connection with bribery allegations involving traffic tickets.
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Dearborn resident Hassan H. Hojaije, L, and police officer Alex Brian Ramirez were charged March 13. |
Hassan H. Hojaije, 20, was charged with obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct of justice, both felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and a misdemeanor.
City officials said a complaint from a resident led to the arrests and sparked an ongoing investigation.
Ramirez was immediately suspended without pay.
Another Dearborn officer was arrested on Friday in a separate case involving alleged tax evasion over a purchase of a boat.
State authorities arrested Cpl. Gino Soave at the Dearborn Police Department. Soave was arraigned on Friday in a Macomb County court and was also suspended without pay.
Arab Canadians up in arms
Representatives from 23 Arab and Muslim groups across Canada met in Toronto on Sunday, March 8, 2009 to show their solidarity and to express support for the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) and its leaders.
The delegates met to reject what they call “baseless” accusations against the CAF made by the Canadian Jewish Congress, B’nai Birth, the National Post and Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
The group is concerned about threats Kenney made to withhold funds from CAF’s settlement services as well as remarks CAF says are creating a wedge in Canadian society and inflaming anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiments based on stereotypes.
Kenney responded to a comment by CAF president Khaled Mouammar that he was a “professional whore who supports war” by Israel by saying “We should not be rewarding those who express views that are contrary to Canada’s best liberal values of tolerance and mutual respect.”
Kenney also described CAF as a racist organization in a speech in Bucharest, Romania in June 2007 according to a letter written to Kenney by CAF Executive Director Mohamed Boudjenane.
Also released by the Arab groups was the following statement in a press release relating to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“We call upon Prime Minister Harper to restrain his Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and to put an end to his dangerous campaign of attacking CAF with slanderous and damaging accusations for which he has provided no evidence.”
Michigan DHS raises food stamp allotments
LANSING — Michigan Department of Human Services Director Ismael Ahmed said this week that beginning in April, Michigan families eligible for the federally funded Food Assistance Program (FAP) will see a 13.6 percent increase in their benefits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“This is good news for Michigan,” Ahmed said. “A family of four, for example, will now have an additional $80 a month to spend on groceries. In these challenging economic times, that will make a positive difference for many struggling families. It will also help our department meet its mission to protect the state’s vulnerable children, adults and families.”
Ahmed also pointed out the impact the increase is expected to have on the state’s economy.
“For every $5 in new FAP benefits, $9.20 is generated in total economic activity,” he said. “By injecting immediate revenue into local businesses, FAP will help achieve the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s primary goal of stimulating the American economy.”
Jane Marshall, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, and Sharon Parks, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services, joined Ahmed at the Mid-Michigan Food Bank in Lansing to share the news.
“The need for emergency food has increased dramatically lately,” Marshall said. “We can help people temporarily, but we see the Food Assistance Program as the best source of food for families needing longer-term assistance.”
Parks added, “There’s no doubt this will have a positive impact at a time when we really need it. By boosting food assistance benefits, fewer families will have to choose between feeding their kids or keeping the heat on or paying the rent on time. It will also help to take some of the tremendous pressure off local food banks.”
More than 1.3 million Michigan residents — including 656,178 households and about 500,000 children — currently receive food assistance. Participants will automatically receive their increase in their Bridge card accounts, which work like a debit card at local stores.
Reforms needed on indigent legal defense
LANSING — A subcommittee of the state House Judiciary Committee began work on new measures to fix the system that provides legal representation to defendants who can’t afford an attorney.
A report was released last June suggesting that Michigan has one of the worst indigent defense systems in the country.
Counties are currently responsible for appointing and paying indigent counsel, and fees vary from county to county.
Together, the counties spend about $80 million defending those who have no money to defend themselves.
Michigan ranks 44th nationally in per capita spending on indigent defense. Supporters of new legislation and funding argue that providing adequate defense for the poor would divert a portion of the $2 billion a year spent on corrections, the fastest-growing component of an out-of-control budget.
The subcommittee is expected to take two to three months to put together a plan for fixing the indigent defense system.
A decision on an American Civil Liberties Union class-action lawsuit against the state on behalf of defendants who claim they were denied fair trials is expected soon from the state Court of Appeals.
Detroit Passport office changes location,
DETROIT — A new passport office opened on Monday ahead of changes in travel identification requirements that take effect June 1.
The U.S. State Department officials said opening The Detroit Passport Agency, 211 W. Fort, on the second floor, will enable citizens to get their documents within two weeks of their expected travel date.
The Detroit office is one of four new locations across the country.
Previously, the closest passport agency was in Chicago.
On June 1, travelers returning to the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda will be required to have a passport, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license or other special documentation.
Visit www.getyouhome.gov for a summary of the current and new rules. Visit www.travel.state.gov for information on how to obtain necessary documents.
ADC leader moving on
WASHINGTON— The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination (ADC) has announced that Laila Al-Qatami, ADC communications director, will be leaving ADC as of March 20, and will be moving on to work in public relations in the Arab world. ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, “Without question, Laila is one of the most talented persons I’ve ever met. In the years I’ve worked with her, she has proven to be remarkably versatile and unusually skillful. She has played a vital role in the work of ADC since she joined the staff in October 2000 and ADC will always be thankful for her hard work.”
ADC National Executive Director Kareem Shora said, “For over eight years ADC has had the fortune of Laila’s professionalism and dedication. Indeed, it has been an honor working with such a knowledgeable professional, strong advocate, and dear friend. With her departure ADC is losing an experienced and true leader, but I know we will continue to rely on her advice and continued friendship.”
Laila Al-Qatami said, “It has been an honor and pleasure to work for ADC and on behalf of the community. Although I will be leaving ADC, I will continue to be involved in the organization and in civil rights, cultural affairs, and media issues.”
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U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow |
On May 2, 2009 at the ACCESS 38th Anniversary Dinner, ACCESS will honor Michigan’s U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow with the prestigious Making an Impact Award for her continued dedication to the people of Michigan.
A native of Michigan, Stabenow has kept the state’s best interests firmly at heart throughout her successful career. From the State Legislature to the halls of Congress, she is a respected national leader on health care and manufacturing issues and a champion for the community.
Her rise in Senate leadership, from Senate Conference Secretary to the incumbent Chair of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, has cemented Senator Stabenow as a key policymaker in our nation. Throughout her tenure, Senator Stabenow has never shied away from fighting for the issues that matter most to the citizens of Michigan. Perhaps most notably is her ongoing battle to reduce health care costs. For years she has strived to create laws aimed at making prescription drugs more affordable and bringing innovative technology to the health care system. As a State Legislator, Stabenow was acclaimed one of Michigan’s most passionate advocates for children and an expert in family law and small business issues.
Senator Stabenow will become only the second recipient of ACCESS’ Making an Impact Award, which was established to recognize individuals who make a positive impact by raising awareness of issues affecting their communities. Philanthropist Russell Ebeid was its first recipient at ACCESS’ 37th Anniversary Dinner.
Senator Stabenow’s home is in Lansing where she resides with her husband, Tom Athans. She has two children, Todd and Michelle; a daughter-in-law, Sara; new granddaughter, Lily; and a stepdaughter, Gina.
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State Sen. Larry Shaw |
State Sen. Larry Shaw takes pride in keeping a low profile.
“I fly beneath the radar,” he says. “That suits my style.”
It’s an odd claim for a man who until three years ago was the highest-ranking Muslim elected official in the United States. (U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota snagged that distinction in 2006.)
At 59, Shaw remains the longest-serving Muslim elected official, and recently added another badge: The Democratic senator representing Cumberland County was elected chairman of the nation’s leading Muslim civil rights advocacy group, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Shaw, who lives in Fayetteville, is soft-spoken. His voice is barely audible as he walks the hallways of the state legislature, a broad-shouldered former football player with a wide smile and a thinning tuft of white hair.
But as chairman of CAIR, which has a reputation of being one of the more aggressive Muslim advocacy groups, he may be forced into a higher-profile role. For several years, the group’s financing has been under scrutiny, and a small group of critics has made a determined, but so far unsuccessful, effort to link it to Hamas, the ruling political group in the Gaza strip, which the U.S. government labels a terrorist organization.
More recently, CAIR was one of hundreds of Muslim individuals and groups named as unindicted co-conspirators in a terrorism-financing trial wherein a Texas charity was accused of helping to finance Hamas. CAIR rejects the accusation, and Shaw says his first order of business will be to clear the group’s name.
“It’s straight out of the playbook they use for all the civil rights groups,” Shaw says, noting that Martin Luther King Jr. and many other civil rights movement leaders were investigated by the government. “This is nothing new. If they had anything, they would have acted on it and shut us down.”
Shaw says he has already asked to meet with top officials in the FBI and Department of Justice.
And he makes it clear he does not back Muslims reflexively. A keen observer of the Middle East and its conflicts, he is willing to criticize dictatorial Muslim countries as well as Hamas’ practice of firing rockets into Israel.
“If they have grievances, this is not the way to get them addressed,” Shaw says of Hamas. “Taking actions that endanger the lives of many is irresponsible.”
Shaw, who has served in the senate for seven terms, has a reputation for honesty and fair dealing. A champion of interfaith understanding, he has gained support in the Jewish community, too.
“I’m very much impressed with his fine personality,” says Rabbi Yosef Levanon of Congregation Beth Israel in Fayetteville. “I think he has good intentions, and I’m praying he will avoid the pitfalls that have plagued this organization.”
Indeed, some have suggested that Shaw was chosen to lead CAIR precisely because he can soften its sometimes combative image.
Khalilah Sabra, a Raleigh activist who directs the local chapter of the Muslim American Society’s Freedom Foundation and consults with Shaw on a weekly basis, says Shaw brings a uniquely American political vision to CAIR.
“Shaw’s role with CAIR is to give them a balanced perspective,” Sabra says. “He can mentor them on how to transcend certain cultural predispositions.”
-The North Carolina News & Observer
Arab American Pharmacist Association to hold awards dinner
DEARBORN— Michigan Department of Human Services Director Ismael Ahmed will be the keynote speaker for the Arab American Pharmacist Association (AAPA) annual awards and scholarship dinner. The event will be held on Friday, March 27, 2009 at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center, 6220 Miller in Dearborn, Michigan at 6 p.m.
Founded in 1996, the AAPA professional membership organization plays a leading role in advocating not only for the interests of the Arab American pharmacists but also in educating the public about quality pharmaceutical care in the Middle Eastern community. Many of the pharmacists who belong to the AAPA continue to reach out to the Arab American community on such matters as medication compliance, packing enough of their medications before traveling overseas, to the dangers of sharing their medications with others.
Its members are comprised of registered pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others that reside, work, attend college, or are interested in pharmacy. Its mission is to advance and support Arab American pharmacists in serving society as the profession responsible for the appropriate use of medications and services to enhance optimal patient care and public health.
“Throughout history Arab Americans have made significant health contributions. Now it is up to us to change the culture of healthcare to reflect the needs of our community,” says Nazih Jawad, AAPA Vice-Chair.
An integral part of the AAPA is to serve as mentors for Arab American youth wishing to pursue a degree in pharmacy. The AAPA is supportive and proud of the active role of its student organization. In collaboration with Wayne State University, the AAPA will be awarding $25,000 in youth scholarships.
In addition to the scholarships, three outstanding individuals will be recognized not only for their continuing support of the AAPA but for their leadership and commitment to health wellness. The Mortar & Pestle award recognizes those who are associated with the pharmaceutical industry or who have contributed time, effort, commitment and participated in the activities of the AAPA. The outstanding partner award will be presented to Ismael Ahmed, Director of the Michigan Department of Health Services. The outstanding corporate partner award will be presented to Larry Secrest, Vice-President and General Manager of McKesson Pharmaceutical. In addition, an outstanding partner award will be presented to Dr. Howard J. Normile, Interim Dean of the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Services.
For tickets and other information, contact Khail Bazzi at 313.263.6572 or kbazzi@gmail.com.
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