The Arab American News
Author's Posts
Poetry Corner: The stairwell
Nazik Al-Malaika is, not only the most celebrated female Arab poet of the past century, but also one of the pioneers of modern Arabic poetry. She was among the first poets, in the history of Arabic literature, to use free verse. She was born into a literary family in Baghdad in 1923, and she received a master's degree in comparative...Nelson Mandela, the greatest black man of the twentieth century
My wife, Jane and I had two encounters with Nelson Mandela. Neither was a close encounter, but both were memorable. The first was in 1965. We were teaching in Kenya. Both of us were young and did not have any children, and apparently little common sense as well. We got the crazy idea of driving down to Cape...Michigan Egyptians share conflicting views on crisis in homeland
MICHIGAN — The massive protests against Egyptian President Mohamad Morsi and his ultimate ousting by the army on Wednesday, July 3 have divided Egyptians, between those who support the overthrow of the president, and those who want him to stay in power until his term expires in 2016. The division has caused violent clashes between...Mid-East Festival returns to Flint, July 12-14
FLINT — The Mid-East Festival will return to the greater Flint area on Friday, July 12. The event will run on that day, from 11:30 a.m. to midnight; Saturday, July 13, from noon to midnight; and Sunday, July 14, from noon to 8 p.m. The event includes free admission and boasts authentic Lebanese fare that is prepared,...U.S. mulls sending military training teams to Lebanon and Iraq
WASHINGTON - U.S. military commanders are examining ways the U.S. could bolster security in Syria’s neighboring countries, and have recommended sending military trainers to Lebanon and Iraq.Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, on Wednesday revealed U.S. plans to strengthen military assistance in Lebanon and Iraq as...U.S., EU urged to press harder for reform in Bahrain
WASHINGTON - Human rights groups here are calling for the United States and the European Union (EU) to exert more pressure on Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, to seriously engage its opposition and end its repression of its majority Shi’a population."Bahrain claims to be on a path of political reform, but it is heading...Why local politics matter
Arab American immigrants have been an essential component in this community and active participants in the areas of economics, business, medicine and law. However, there is one area that can always be improved upon and that is political involvement. As conflicts arise in the Middle East, the interest in international politics...A new president, a new era in Iran
On June 14, 2013, Iranians passionately participated in their presidential election and chose HojjatolIslam Dr. Hassan Rouhani to serve as the 7th president, since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. I have known Dr. Rouhani for 37 years. He is the right man, at the right time, for the right job. He is a man of faith and...
Senate passes sweeping immigration legislation
June 28th, 20130 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate approved a landmark immigration bill on Thursday that would provide millions of undocumented immigrants a chance to become citizens but the leader of the House of Representatives said the measure was dead on arrival in the House.In a rare show of bi-partisanship, the Democratic-controlled Senate passed the...
Idaho company creates pork-laced bullets to target Muslims
June 28th, 20130 IDAHO - South Fork Industries, a gun company in the State of Idaho, is selling "Jihawg Ammunition," a pork-laced bullet that serves as a "deterrent to the ever-growing threat of radical Islam and Sharia Law."According to the South Fork Industries' website, the idea of these bullets came as a response to the construction of an Islamic...Supreme Court strikes down key voting rights provision
ATLANTA -- The Supreme Court struck down a key provision, Section 4, of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 in a five to four ruling this week, halting enforcement of Section 5 of the act.One of the key achievements of the Civil Rights Movement, the act was intended to address historical, entrenched racial discrimination in voting...
A sit-down with Barbara McQuade
June 28th, 20130 DETROIT- As the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Barbara McQuade’s work often centers around issues that concern the region’s Arab and Muslim American communities. McQuade, who has maintained a close relationship with both communities over the years, sat down with The Arab American News recently at the U.S....
FBI aims to dispel misconceptions through its Citizen’s Academy Program
June 28th, 20130 DETROIT - Last Friday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) hosted a graduation ceremony at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn for 30 local business, civic and religious leaders, who participated in an eight-week seminar taught by agents who work for the Bureau's Detroit division.The Citizen’s Academy Program, established over twenty...Council candidate wants to restore city recreational services, praises Arab American contributions
DEARBORN - Michael D. Albano, a 38-year resident of Dearborn, became a community activist long before he decided to run for this year's city council race, which pits him against 20 other candidates, who are seeking seven desired positions.Albano was born in Detroit and grew up in Dearborn, where he graduated from...City of Dearborn reminds residents to follow firework laws this Fourth of July
DEARBORN - As the Fourth of July approaches, the City of Dearborn is reminding its residents to be extremely cautious and follow local and state laws, when handling and discharging fireworks.In 2012, the State of Michigan removed the ban on the sale and use of many types of powerful or airborne fireworks, known as "consumer" fireworks.......
Local colleges increase tuition rates for upcoming school year
DEARBORN - While USA Today reports that tuition increases across the country are lower than usual this year, some of Michigan's prominent colleges and universities will see significant tuition spikes, nonetheless.This week, the University of Michigan-Dearborn announced that they will institute a 3.5 percent increase in tuition for the...Crestwood School District offers free preschool program
DEARBORN HEIGHTS - The Crestwood School District announced that it will offer a free preschool program this fall for four-year-old children who are at risk of educational failure.The District will be receiving funding for the pre-school from a state program called the Great Start Readiness Program. Children are qualified based on a......
Scholarship to be presented in memory of late editor Kay Siblani
DETROIT - A scholarship will be presented in memory of Kay Siblani at this year’s 31st annual Metro Detroit Youth Day (MDYD) on July 17 at Belle Isle. Siblani served as the editor of The Arab American News, since its inception in 1984, until she lost her battle with cancer on Jan. 1, 2013. Before pursing a career in journalism,...Charity group to raise awareness on kidney disease with upcoming powder-puff tournament
DEARBORN - "Play for the Cure," a charity group that was started by Dearborn resident Shireen Hachem and her husband Bassel Hachem, has been spreading awareness and raising proceeds for medical charities since 2009, by gathering young women in the community and competing in an annual football tournament.The game, which will take place on...Yogurtopia debuts first location in Dearborn
DEARBORN - When Yogurtopia opened its doors in early June on Michigan Avenue, it became the newest yogurt shop in town. However, what many local residents may not be aware of is that Yogurtopia is a franchise that was established in 2010 by Sam Abbass, a former Dearborn resident, in Scottsdale, Arizona.Having owned and operated...Fair Credit Reporting Act requires creditors to report your information accurately
Nearly everyone understands that having good credit is important. Lenders make decisions related to whether they will give a loan and what the terms of a loan will be, in large part, based upon the prospective borrower’s credit rating. Employers increasingly analyze the credit histories of applicants when making hiring......
WHO: Violence against women causes “global health epidemic”
NEW YORK - More than a third of all women worldwide are victims of physical or sexual violence, posing a global health problem of epidemic proportions, according to a recent World Health Organization report. The vast majority of women are attacked or abused by their husbands or boyfriends, and common health problems they suffer...Young Yemen multiplies without economic growth
SANAA - Yemen’s population is increasing at a rapid rate, straining the country’s dwindling natural resources and setting up its youth for a grim future, with few jobs and scant means to get by.Visiting a family planning clinic in downtown Sanaa, Layla waits for a routine birth control checkup. She believes she was 14 when she got......
Saudi activist jailed eight years after calling for elections
A Saudi court has sentenced a human rights activist to eight years in prison for "sedition" after his group campaigned for a constitutional monarchy and elections in the US-backed Gulf Arab kingdom.Abdulkarim al-Khader co-founded the Saudi Political and Civil Rights Association (ACPRA) and served as its head after the imprisonment of two...‘Arab Idol’ Mohammed Assaf renews hopes for Palestinians, Arab World
A few months ago over dinner, my mother enthusiastically said, "a Palestinian singer from Gaza made Arab Idol’s second season!""His name is Mohammed Assaf," she told me, adding that he is reminiscent of the iconic, late Egyptian singer, Abdel Halim Hafiz.My mother continued. I remained silent. For one second, I wanted to laugh, but I......