As we put this final issue of The Arab American News this year to bed and bid farewell to 2012, we wanted to thank our readers first and foremost, who have been very loyal, anxiously and patiently waiting for the paper to be delivered each weekend. Your loyalty, support and feedback is always much appreciated. 

We also cannot forget the backbone of our business, our advertisers, who have been equally loyal and for whom we are equally appreciative for their continuous support. 

Today we renew our pledge that we will never take your support and loyalty for granted, and that we will continue to strive to provide the best quality newspaper that we possibly can put out each week and always be fair, balanced and truthful. We shall always remember that success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence. 

This past year was by no means an average one in the life of The Arab American News or the community that it serves, and of course the world in general. 

It has been a rewarding, heartbreaking and a challenging year. Locally, this community has made significant gains and scored sweet victories in last November’s election, thanks to improved voter turnout, starting with an upset victory by Dearborn’s son Sam Salamey in the race for 19th District Court Judge. Salamey became the first Arab American judge in the city’s history with your help. 

Also, against overwhelming support given to their opponent, this community showed loyalty and determination by delivering a key victory to the students of Dearborn, by retaining Mary Lane and Aimee Blackburn to serve on the Dearborn School Board. The victory will help them continue the progress they started a decade ago in making the city’s schools a better place for our children to get an education. 

Another native son, Brian Mosallam, also scored a major victory in the statewide race for Michigan State University Trustee, adding to a successful election season for the community. 

Nationally, Arab Americans continue to gather strength and build alliances to fight for their civil rights and liberties, joining the struggle and forging alliances alongside other Americans in an era of intense, unconstitutional government surveillance and profiling on citizens as well as blatantly un-American laws such as the infamous National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA); and against rampant Islamophobia and prejudice. 

Even as these and other major stories such as the presidential election of Barack Obama were unfolding, Arab Americans continued to remain focused on the historical reshaping of the Middle East in the post-Arab Spring world, which has turned to a nightmare for millions in the region. 

Thus far, nothing but death, extremism and divisiveness has bloomed in the Arab World from Egypt to Tunisia to Libya to Yemen to Bahrain and, perhaps most importantly, the blood bath in Syria. 

These developments continue to weigh heavily on our community watching on satellite TV, worried about their relatives and homelands while balancing the challenges of everyday life in America. 

We continue to stand for democracy, and diversity overseas but it should not be at the expense of unity and preserving the rich cultural heritage and accomplishments, of building on them, not destroying them.  

And as we turn the page on a full year, and enter our twenty-ninth year here in publishing, we ask our readers and supporters to pray for our longtime executive editor Marianna Kay Siblani, who has been bravely battling Stage 4 breast cancer for the last two years which has become more aggressive in recent days. We ask you to pray for her recovery and keep her in your thoughts during this Christmas and New Year’s holiday season. 

She has been a powerful voice and advocate for Arab and Muslim Americans who has never been properly recognized, nor has she asked to be recognized. Kay has been a silent warrior and a tough fighter for the last 28 years, since the inception of this newspaper, who has helped set the foundation of this paper so it will remain strong for decades to come. 

Thanks in large part to her work over the years, our paper is now prospering and our offices in Dearborn have received a modern facelift, with a  beautiful new second floor nearly completed. 

We would like to thank our supporters who helped make the new building addition happen as well. We are forever grateful for your support.

Finally, our thanks to the small army of journalists working for The Arab American News in both the Arabic and English sections, who are underpaid and overworked like so many others out there, and who always strive to be the voice of our great community. 

Many thanks also go out to our distributor and delivery people who make sure the paper is on the stands rain or shine!

This year again taught us that journalism is a tough profession, considering the tragic deaths of all of those overseas caught in the crossfire, as well as the professional sacrifices made by those who dare to speak out against injustices. 

Let us always remember, there is no more noble pursuit than the pursuit of truth and justice. 

May 2013 be a peaceful, prosperous, and healthier year for all of our readers, advertisers, supporters, as well as our staff and their families and all of our community. 

Happy Holidays!