The Arab American News
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Are you ready for war with Syria?
War drums are beating again in Washington. This time Syria is in the crosshairs after a massacre there (recently) left more than 100 dead. As might be expected from an administration with an announced policy of “regime change” in Syria, the reaction was to blame only the Syrian government for the tragedy, expel Syrian diplomats...
New poll reveals Michigan could be a swing state in Presidential election
June 15th, 20120 DETROIT - Earlier this month the Arab American News reported that Mitt Romney was leading the polls against Barack Obama in Michigan for the presidential race in November. However a new poll conducted through an automated phone survey by Foster McCollum White & Associates and Baydoun Consulting found that Barack Obama was still...
FBI investigates fire, anti-Arab graffiti near Dearborn mosque
June 13th, 20120 DEARBORN, Mich., June 13 -- The FBI was investigating a fire and graffiti at an event center associated with a Dearborn, Mich., mosque, officials said.On Tuesday, just before lunch, the storage structure of the Muslim Community Center owned by the nearby American Muslim Center caught fire. The storage space, about the size of a garage,...Tahrir Square: Round two
CAIRO — The long-awaited verdict in Egypt's "trial of the century"— a life sentence for ousted president Hosni Mubarak and acquittals for most other defendants — has brought the people back to Cairo's Tahrir Square. The controversial court rulings come at a time of extraordinary domestic political upheaval, with Egypt's...
Grim outlook for Syria as international rift is widened
June 8th, 20120 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said unarmed UN monitors came under fire Thursday as they tried to reach the scene of the latest Syrian mass killing. Opposition claims government forces killed nearly 80 people, including women and children who were shot, hacked to death and burned in their homes. A boy holds a toy gun in Homs. ...Tens of thousands in Abyan need urgent help
In recent days, fierce fighting, sometimes involving air strikes, has led to a severe deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Abyan governorate, southern Yemen, and hampered the ability of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to deliver urgently needed assistance. A woman holds her malnourished child at a...Attacking Iran likely counter-productive, think tank warns
WASHINGTON — While a nuclear-armed Iran would pose significant new challenges to the United States and Israel, a military attack by either country to prevent Tehran from developing a weapon could well prove counter-productive, according to a major new report released here Wednesday by a think tank close to the administration of...Spare us the western morality on Syria
As news of yet another massacre in Syria surfaces – this time in the farm village of Al-Kubeir near Hama – we can only imagine the moral outrage expressed by Western governments that will soon inundate media outlets.Much of Western identity centers on a pillar of high civility, and by extension, high morality. It is a lingering...2012 Arab American Book Award winners to be honored
This year, the Arab American Book Award ceremony will be held on Saturday, Sep. 29 at the Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, Michigan. Further details on the invitation-only event will be released this summer.In addition to celebrating the winners of the 2012 Awards, this year’s program will honor the life...Newly formed Dearborn Heights group yields positive impact
DEARBORN HEIGHTS -The Dearborn Heights Community Organization (DHCO) was established months ago, but has already left a mark. Its presence and importance have become visible. Left: DHCO members Amer Saleh, Hassan Bazzi and Zainab Hussein. PHOTO: TAAN/Natasha Dado Since launching DHCO members have raised concerns about the Crestwood...City of Dearborn, AACC prepare for the Arab International Festival
DEARBORN — On the weekend of June 15-17, the 17th annual Arab International Festival will be held in Dearborn on Warren Ave. The event, which is organized by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) is traditionally a festival that transforms 14 blocks of Warren Avenue, between Schaefer and Wyoming, into a cultural celebration that...
State board keeps Salamey on ballot after examining Abbatt’s challenges
June 8th, 20120 DEARBORN — The race for 19th District court judge in Dearborn took a turn this week when the Board of Canvassers in Lansing dismissed enough of candidate Candyce Abbatt's challenges against opponent Sam Salamey, which will now allow him to stay on the ballot. The meeting, held on Wednesday, ended with a 4-0 unanimous decision by the...
New Lebanese Consul General assumes responsibility in Detroit
June 8th, 20120 DETROIT - Mr. Bilal Kabalan was appointed by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry as the new Consul General of Lebanon to head the Lebanese mission in Detroit. Mr. Kabalan will succeed Mr. Houssam Diab who was appointed to the same position as an Acting Consul General in February 2011. Mr. Diab will move to his new post in Muscat as the...
U.S. Muslims sue to stop NYPD spying program
June 8th, 20120 Eight American Muslims have filed a federal lawsuit to put an end to a post-9/11 surveillance program run by the New York Police Department. The lawsuit follows a New Jersey Attorney General probe saying the NYPD had done nothing wrong. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Newark Wednesday by Muslim Advocates, a group who has taken...
Federal judge bans Obama from indefinitely detaining Americans
June 8th, 20120 NEW YORK — A U.S. Federal judge has clarified a decision made last month confirming that the White House cannot use the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to indefinitely detain American citizens. Judge Katherine B. Forrest has answered a request made by President Barack Obama last month to more carefully explain a May 16......
State Rep. Santana seeks reelection, promises passion in public service
June 8th, 20120 In many ways, Democratic State Rep. Harvey Santana who represents Michigan's 10th House District is not your typical politician. The duties he performs on a daily basis aren't generally what most people serving on the state legislature find themselves doing. Representative Harvey Santana-D, Detroit, appearing on Off the Record...
State officials and locals crack down on synthetic marijuana
June 8th, 20120 LANSING - Synthetic marijuana branded with names like K2 and Spice has recently come under fire in the state of Michigan as more teens have been smoking the drug-like substances which has led to negative side effects that have included death, hospitalizations and even murder. Local communities and state legislators are quickly coming......
Romney leads in Michigan according to new poll
June 7th, 20120 LANSING — A new poll released by Epic-MRA, based in Lansing has found that Mitt Romney is leading Michigan for the Presidential race against Barack Obama. According to the poll, Romney leads Obmama 46-45 percent respectively. In April, that same poll had Obama leading 47-43 percent. The poll demonstrates that middle class tax...Calls for jihad split Salafist movement
AMMAN — The Arab Spring brought a host of new actors to the political stage. In Jordan, it pushed the Salafists to the fore, where some of the group's more radical elements are now calling for holy war in neighboring Syria.The Jordanian regime is growing increasingly concerned about the possible spillover effects of violence in Syria,...Dearborn Heights budget: Don’t candy coat it — act on it
For those following the 2012 – 2013 budget deliberation in Dearborn Heights you know I am in disagreement with the approach the administration is taking toward our budgetary issues. The budget is heavily dependent upon revenues generated from tickets written by police, early retirements and a four day work week. In my...Cuts made in Dearborn 2013 fiscal budget
DEARBORN — The Dearborn City Council has approved the budget for the 2013 fiscal years, bringing with it some notable changes. Among them include staff cuts, milage increases, capital improvement cuts as well as health care changes.Among the staff cut from the $105 million budget include an executive secretary from the 19th district......
Annual Chaldean Festival this weekend in Southfield
The 7th Annual Chaldean Festival will be held June 8-10 in Southfield, in front of City Hall on Evergreen Road. The festival is an exciting and fun-filled event for families. There's food, live entertainment, games, a full carnival and traditional Chaldean dancing. Several merchant tents will be set-up from various businesses in...Strategic Staffing Solutions and FOX 2 settle lawsuit
Strategic Staffing Solutions, Inc., (S3) the Detroit-based global information, technology and business services company, said Wednesday it has resolved its lawsuit against FOX 2. The local television station has agreed to permanently remove from its website the report that prompted the lawsuit. In addition, FOX 2 has agreed to have......
List of words released that the government monitors on social media sites
After a failed FOIA request and a lawsuit, the Department of Homeland Security finally released a list of words that it uses to monitor online media and social networking sites. Some words are understandably listed, and include Al Qaeda, assassination and attack, but others are more simple such as agriculture, San Diego and smart....AFPD to host reception for Governor
The Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers is hosting a reception for Michigan Governor Rick Snyder at its headquarters in West Bloomfield, 5779 West Maple Road from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday June 11. Seating for the event is limited, and registration is required. General reception admission is $500, and if you are interested in a VIP......