The Arab American News
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Daughter denies wanting Iraqi-American mother dead
SAN DIEGO — The daughter of an Iraqi-American man accused of killing his wife in California in what was first investigated as a hate crime denied under cross-examination by a defense lawyer on Monday, April 7, that she ever said she wanted her mother dead.Fatima Alhimidi acknowledged telling an uncle's then-girlfriend that she...Families of autistic kids sue Disney parks over policy on lines
LOS ANGELES — Families with autistic children have sued Walt Disney Co, alleging the company does not provide adequate access to theme park visitors with autism who have difficulty waiting in long lines for rides.In October 2013, Disney parks stopped offering autistic visitors a "guest assistance card" that let them and their families...House bill demands tougher line against Hizbullah
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan bill that demands a tougher line against Hizbullah was introduced in the House of Representatives Monday, April 7. The Hizbullah International Financing Prevention Act urges the Obama administration to turn the screws on financial institutions — including the central banks of Lebanon and other nations —...
Interfaith conference at IHW discusses marriage, family life and easter egg hunt controversy
April 11th, 20140 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — More than 150 religious, social and business leaders, in addition to community members, gathered for a day long conference at Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights on Monday, April 7.Some national public speakers spoke during the conference and answered questions during the panel discussions, including...
Dearborn Easter egg hunt controversy becomes a national media frenzy
April 11th, 20140 DEARBORN — What was supposed to be a quiet, traditional Easter egg hunt taking place on Saturday, April 12 at the Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church has now turned into a national media frenzy, after a local parent complained about flyers being distributed at local public schools.The chain of events began last Thursday, when the Detroit...
Healthy Michigan Plan reaches 85,761 enrollees after one week
April 11th, 20140 MICHIGAN — The new Healthy Michigan Plan that expands Medicaid to nearly half a million residents in the state has provided coverage to 85,761 people since the program kicked off April 1. The ACCESS Employment and Human Service Center in Dearborn has been overwhelmed since enrollment for the program began. On Wednesday...Iraqi Americans gear up to vote in crucial elections
DETROIT — Iraqi Americans in southeast Michigan, and states across the country are gearing up to vote in Iraq’s 2014 Parliamentary Elections this month. Twenty-year-old Mohamed Al-Yaqubi, a Garden City resident who immigrated to the United States from Iraq in 2010 is very passionate about the upcoming Iraqi elections, and...Law corner: GM CEO quietly provides incredible testimony at congressional hearings
Last week, the top officer of General Motors, Mary Barra, provided testimony before the House and Senate relating to the now-infamous – and deadly – ignition switch defect contained in over 2.6 million GM vehicles. Ms. Barra’s testimony mostly stuck to GM’s script. Mainly, she apologized for the loss of life resulting...
Gov. Snyder signs bill to combat scrap metal theft and illegal sales
April 11th, 20140 LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder has signed into law a bill that provides tools to help police combat metal theft, an epidemic that puts Michiganders at risk and hurts businesses and communities.House Bill 4593, sponsored by Rep. Paul Muxlow, R-Brown City, includes reforms that also make it more difficult for people to quickly and easily...
H.Y.P.E. Athletics recognized as a non-profit by city after two-year tax battle
April 11th, 20140 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — After a two-year battle with the city of Dearborn Heights, the H.Y.P.E Athletics Recreation Center located on Warren Ave. announced this week that they have finally been recognized as a nonprofit organization by the city, receiving an exemption on property taxes.The dispute between the recreation center and the...
Hundreds participate in commemoration of Palestinian Land Day
April 11th, 20140 DEARBORN — On Sunday, April 6, about 400 people gathered at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the Palestinian Land Day. The annual event is observed worldwide on Mar. 30 in remembrance of the protests that occurred in Israel and the Palestinian territories almost four...Fundraiser planned to benefit family of slain Clinton Township storeowner
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — A fundraiser that will benefit the family of slain storeowner Basil Sulaka is expected to take place Thursday, April 10 through Sunday, April 13 at The Detroit Pub here from opening to closing hours. Sulaka, 51, of Sterling Heights was shot to death Mar. 28 at the Moon Lite Party Store he operated for 18...Residents urged to lock their vehicles because of multiple reported larcenies
DEARBORN — The Dearborn Police Department has received several reports of items being stolen out of parked vehicles. Residents are asked to take steps to avoid becoming victims of the larcenies. Police want to remind residents to keep their vehicles locked and windows rolled up, even if the vehicle is parked in front of the home...Dearborn police seek help identifying bank robber
DEARBORN— Dearborn Police are requesting the assistance of the community in locating the suspect involved in a bank robbery that occurred on April 9, 2014 at 2:25 pm, at the Charter One Bank located at 15904 Michigan Ave. The suspect entered the bank, presented the teller with a note demanding money and displayed a handgun. He...
Dearborn announces amnesty period for unpaid tickets
April 11th, 20140 DEARBORN — The City of Dearborn’s 19th District Court has announced an amnesty program for unpaid civil infraction tickets.Individuals have from now until May 16 to settle their old debts with the court and for the court to clear up a backlog of files without additional collection costs.Amnesty applies only to those individuals who......
State of Michigan receives federal approval for EB-5 Regional Center
April 11th, 20140 LANSING — On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Snyder announced Michigan has officially become one of only two states in the nation with a state run EB-5 Regional Center aimed at attracting foreign investors who want to live, work and create jobs in the state.Michigan is poised to join Vermont as the only other state with this unique investment...AASA holds conference at the Arab American National Museum
DEARBORN — The Arab American Studies Association (AASA) held its inaugural triennial conference at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn last weekend, April 4-6.Arab American studies scholars, graduates and undergraduates from all across the nation attended a series of lectures and discussions at the conference, which was......
Egypt court sentences four men to prison for homosexuality
CAIRO — A court in Egypt sentenced four men to up to eight years in prison on Monday, April 7, for practicing homosexuality, a judicial official said.Prosecutors had accused the men of holding "deviant parties" and dressing in women's clothes. Three were sentenced to eight years and the fourth to three years in prison.Prosecutors have...Yemen border attack kills two Saudi soldiers
RIYADH — Two Saudi soldiers have been killed in a clash with unidentified gunmen who fired on them from across the border with Yemen, the interior ministry said Thursday, April 10.A border guard patrol in the southwestern province of Asir "came under heavy gunfire on Wednesday morning from unknown sources inside Yemeni territory," said...Bomb kills air force officer in Benghazi
BENGHAZI — A Libyan air force officer was killed Wednesday, April 8, and his wife and daughter were seriously injured, when a bomb placed under their car exploded in the eastern city of Benghazi, officials said.Benghazi was the cradle of the 2011 revolution that ousted long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi, and has since been plagued by...Tunisia prosecutor seeks death penalty for rapist policemen
TUNIS — Tunisia's public prosecutor appealed a seven-year jail term on Monday, April 7, for two policemen jailed for rape, and demanded a retrial with a view to seeking the death penalty."The prosecution relates to the characterization of the facts as sex under duress with the threat of violence, under Paragraph 227 of the Penal Code,......
IIK calls for greater role for women at semi-annual dinner
DEARBORN — The Islamic Institute of Knowledge (IIK) celebrated its 33rd semi-annual dinner in Dearborn on Sunday, April 6. About 800 people, including community leaders and elected officials, attended the event, which was titled "Strengthening the role of the Muslim woman and breaking stereotypes about her." IIK public relations...
Developer to demolish ‘Ground Zero mosque’
April 11th, 20140 NEW YORK — A New York City real estate developer has filed plans to raze the "Ground Zero mosque," a structure housing an Islamic community center just two blocks from the site of the September 11, 2001, attacks, city officials said Tuesday, April 8.The Islamic center and prayer space opened in 2011 amid protests that it could become......
Knife-wielding student injures 21 in Pennsylvania school
MURRYSVILLE, Pennsylvania — A 16-year-old student wielding two knives went on a stabbing rampage in the hallways of a Pittsburgh-area high school early on Wednesday, injuring 21 people, about half of them seriously, officials said.The attacker moved stealthily through Franklin Regional High School, stabbing his victims in the torso and...Moroccan man arrested in Connecticut after school bomb plot
CONNECTICUT — A Moroccan man who entered the United States as an exchange student six years ago is facing criminal charges after planning to use a remote-controlled plane to bomb a U.S. university and a federal building in Connecticut, officials said on Tuesday, April 8.The resident of Bridgeport, Conn., 26-year-old El Mehdi Semlali......
