The Arab American News
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Successful appeals granted for Islamic centers in Hamtramck
HAMTRAMCK — The Hamtramck Zoning Board yesterday approved two zoning variances for the expansion of the Islamic Center of Hamtramck and the establishment of the Ideal Islamic Center.A representative of CAIR-MI spoke on behalf of the Islamic centers at the hearing, reminding the board of federal law, which prohibits the denial of zoning...Michigan voters divided on emergency managers
DETROIT — A new WXYZ-TV/Free Press poll shows that 58% of people oppose raising fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees to fund road and bridge improvements.Those in favor voted at a 36% rate according to the poll. Among those opposed, 41% said they were strongly against it. The overall pool of respondents was 600 people from Jan....DHS and State Housing Authority team up to provide additional rent or mortgage assistance
Beginning Feb. 1, families affected by cash benefit lifetime limits could qualify for a total of six months housing assistance through a Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) program. Michigan Department of Human Services Director Maura D. Corrigan and a MSHDA Executive...Wayne County honoring Black History Month
DETROIT — February is Black History Month, and Wayne County is celebrating by installing a set of displays highlighting various inspirational African American achievements, milestones, leaders, and more in the city's Guardian Building, including local heroes. The exhibit will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday...New bill would require community service for cash assistance
LANSING — Joe Hune, a Republican senator from the 22nd district in Livingston County, Shiawassee County, and a portion of southern Ingham County, introduced a new bill that says people who get assistance from the state in the form of cash should be required to do community service. Examples he listed include highway...Terry Jones plans April 7 Dearborn protest at ICA
Controversial Florida Pastor Terry Jones is planning to protest in front of the Islamic Center of America on April 7. Speaking to The Arab American News by phone he invited Islamic religious leaders and Muslims to “make their case against him” there. A significant number of Jones’ supporters are expected to attend the...
Campaign spot begs question: Is Obama running for president, or Prime Minister of Israel?
February 2nd, 20120 Is Barack Obama running for reelection as President of the United States or Prime Minister of Israel? A new Obama campaign video makes it increasingly hard to tell, and even more ominously ratchets further the Israelization of US politics.False hopes of change U..S President Barack Obama was elected in 2008 amid expectations that he...
Syria is used to the slings and arrows of friends and enemies
February 2nd, 20120 Bashar al-Assad is clinging to power despite the slow growth of a civil war. But if the regime should survive, what sort of country will it rule?The violence grows worse. The Arab League throws up its hands in despair. Madame Clinton may huff and puff at the United Nations. But the Syrian regime and the stalwarts of the old Baath party...Poll: Two-thirds of people aware of Google privacy changes, even more concerned
UTICA, NY — Three-fourths of U.S. adults are concerned about Google's changes to its privacy policies that allow the company to follow activities of users as they move across the firm's various services, a new IBOPE Zogby survey finds.The IBOPE Zogby interactive poll conducted from January 27-30, 2012 also finds nearly two-thirds of...ACLU sues U.S. for information on targeted killing program
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the ACLU filed a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act to demand that the government release basic — and accurate — information about the government’s targeted killing program.The government’s deliberate and premeditated killing of American terrorism suspects raises profound questions that ought to be...
U.S. “No Fly” list doubles in just a year
February 1st, 20120 As the U.S. prepares to withdraw from Afghanistan, domestically the government feels that threats are increasing. Despite taking down no fewer than three key al-Qaeda members in the last year, the U.S. has doubled the size of its notorious no-fly list. Government figures provided to The Associated Press this week reveal that the no-fly...Top search engine Google to track users like never before
In a move that has triggered outrage, Google has announced plans to bring all data collected from users’ separate accounts on its sites into a combined profile. The announced change has raised myriad questions about the popular search engine's commitment to privacy. The changes will take effect on March 1. Before that date,...Larceny reported at Islamic Institute of Knowledge
DEARBORN — Two female worshipers reported that their purses had been stolen after an afternoon prayer session at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge at 6345 Schaefer on January 20.Two men were observed sitting in the area where the purses were taken and police say they may be able to provide additional information.Dearborn Police...Comedy, revolutionary hip hop unite at ‘HaHa-HipHop’ this weekend
DEARBORN/ANN ARBOR — It may seem that hip hop and museum culture couldn't be further apart, but recording artist Khaled M. is used to breaking down barriers.The Chicago-based son of a Libyan revolutionary is equally adept whether he's rapping on deep, political tracks in support of revolutions in the Arab World or classic,...Rights groups announce motion to dismiss football assault charges against local teens
SOUTHFIELD — A motion to dismiss assault charges against four Star International Academy football players was announced at a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 24, as a coalition of civil rights leaders spoke out against what they called a "sloppy" and biased investigation by Dearborn Heights police. Standing:Star International Academy......
Children witnessing domestic violence become victims too
DEARBORN - One local woman is walking around with plates and screws in her body after being physically abused by her husband. She has a dislocated hip, injured knee, broken femur and finger. WYXZ Action News, Channel 7 anchor Carolyn Clifford, ACCESS Victim of Crime Program Supervisor, Mona Makki, ACCESS Domestic...Egypt one year on: Stark message for Arab revolutionaries
Egypt's military council, backed by Islamist and secular political parties, has upstaged the 25 January celebrations of the anniversary of the protests that ousted President Hosni Mubarak even before the party gets underway. The military pre-empted plans by the revolutionary youth and militant soccer fan groups whose mass protests......
Showdown looms at UN over Syria
January 27th, 20120 Syria rejects Arab League plan as UN showdown looms, signs arms deal with Russia A huge poster of President Bashar Assad hangs over government supporters during a pro-regime rally in Damascus on 26 January 2012 . Syria slammed on Monday an Arab League plan for President Bashar al-Assad to transfer power to his deputy and form a national...Man and woman use baby to rob Dearborn home
DEARBORN — A 95-year-old Dearborn resident was the victim of a home robbery after a man and woman with a baby arrived at her home. The thieves used the baby to distract the senior while robbing the home. The victim, Catherine Morton said she went to get the door because she thought it was her electrician outside. After entering...Former area student missing in Syria
FARMINGTON HILLS — Syrian American Obada Mzaik, age 21 and a former Oakland Community College student, has gone missing in Syria according to his uncle Dr. Firas Nashef. Mzaik is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Syria who was born in Columbus, Ohio and was detained in Damascus after spending about six months in the U.S.His uncle...
Suspected Highland Park gas station killers taken to jail
January 26th, 20120 Mayor Windom meets with city owners to discuss safety measures Hussein, 59HIGHLAND PARK – City police have jailed two men believed to be connected with last week's fatal shooting of clerk Hassan Ali Hussein on parole violations Monday according to Mayor Deandre Windom. The men remain in jail while investigators build a case......
New bills to be introduced that increase cost of vehicle registration fees and tax changes
The Michigan Legislature is expected to introduce new bills that would boost the cost of vehicle registration fees and tax changes to collect money to fix roads. The bills have already received support from Gov. Rick Snyder who pointed out that addressing road problems now makes more financial sense. The cost of repairing roads in the...Michigan AG says 1,000 new police officers should be hired using surplus
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said 1,000 new police officers should be hired using funds from the recently announced state budget surplus. He noted that several communities are short on law enforcement officials. Since 2001 more than 3,000 police officers have lost their jobs according to a report. Gov. Rick Snyder is expected......
Macomb County receives over $2 million for housing projects, revitalizing neighborhoods
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs has awarded Macomb County with $2.7 million to build new housing and revitalize neighborhoods. The money will be used by communities within the county that aren’t eligible for such grants independently. Sterling Heights...Michigan Civil Rights Commission welcomes new members, elects officers
LANSING — The Michigan Civil Rights Commission (MCRC) elected officers for the new year at its first business meeting of 2012 this week while welcoming new members.The newly-elected leaders include: J. Michael Zelley of Grand Blanc as Chair; Lisa Peeples-Hurst of Benton Harbor as Vice Chair; Jared Rodriguez of Portland as......