The Arab American News
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Whole Foods stands by Ramadan campaign
August 12th, 20110 For the last two weeks, Whole Foods promoted frozen products made by Saffron Road, maker of all-natural halal foods, in celebration of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Emphasis on these products, which include famous Indian and Thai dishes, drew the ire of right-wing bloggers like Debbie Schlussel, who in late July blasted the Whole...Fordson coach Zaban, Conyers among White House Iftar attendees
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama hosted the White House's Annual Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan at the White House on Wednesday, August 10, a tradition began by former president Bill Clinton that was continued by President George W. Bush. Fordson High School of Dearborn football coach Fouad "Walker" Zaban got the call...
Lebanese restaurant, lounge brings Beirut flair to Michigan
August 12th, 20110 In Lebanon, the Gemmayze is one of the liveliest, trendiest sections of Beirut, a city which just happens to be one of the top tourist attractions in the world. "The Lebanese people have been through so much so they're looking for ways to release themselves, Gemmayze was born out of that...we're trying to give people the same kind of...Fakih to begin work at DMC clinic in Dearborn Heights
Dr. Mona FakihDEARBORN HEIGHTS — Dr. Mona Fakih will begin practicing at the Detroit Medical Center Clinic on Ford and Telegraph in Dearborn Heights on August 29.Fakih is a foundation board member of Henry Ford Community College, Civil Rights appointee in Dearborn Heights, and a specialist in treating abnormal uterine bleeding,...Teachers fleeing Michigan for jobs in other states
LANSING — A study from the Center for Educational Performance and Information has shown that hundreds of newer teachers are leaving Michigan for other states because of a shrinking number of students, to study at teaching colleges, and because of budget and staff cuts in the state. The number of public school teachers in Michigan...Preserving the Wealth in your home: Medicaid planning
Many seniors in our community mistakenly believe that their home, which they have worked so hard to pay off, will be protected when they pass away, simply because they have placed it in a will. However, Michigan Medicaid laws allow the state to go back after your homestead when you die to reimburse the state for benefits that...State of Michigan says Federal assistance running out for needy families
LANSING — The state's tight budget and changes in policies mean that federal assistance could be running out for nearly 14,000 struggling families in Michigan, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press. With many families' five year period of receiving help having expired, hard times could be on the horizon. The state began...Social Security offices to begin closing 30 minutes early
DETROIT — Wayne County Social Security offices in Dearborn, Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Livonia and Wyandotte will be open M-F from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. beginning August 15, which is a reduction of 30 minutes per weekday at the offices. Congress provided Social Security with $1 billion less than was asked for for the...Conyers, Clarke to hold job fair and town hall meeting Aug. 16
SOUTHFIELD — Congressmen John Conyers and Hansen Clarke will host a job fair and town hall meeting on Tuesday, August 16 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Wayne County Community College District's School of Continuing Education's downtown campus at 1001 W. Fort Street. Employers from across the country will be featured. Registration starts at...Red light running linked to almost 2,000 deaths
DETROIT — A study from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments says that more than 3,500 car accidents were caused by running red lights last year. Analysts say that distractions including eating, putting on make-up, kids and other passengers have been to blame in many cases. One thousand nine hundred of the accidents...Metro Airport gets new body scanner software
ROMULUS — The Transportation Security Administration announced that Detroit Metro Airport is one of the first eight in the country to receive new software on its 15 body scanners. According to reports, the software will show only generic outlines if an object is detected; if no object is found the screen will simply say...
Palestinian American police chief takes oath in California
August 11th, 20110 At right: Oweis being sworn in as Chief of Police while his children take part.SANTA CRUZ, CA — Nader Oweis was sworn in as the University of California-Santa Cruz Chief of Police on Tuesday, August 9, taking the oath to protect members of the campus. Oweis, a Palestinian American, previously served at UC-Davis' campus for 17...30,000 college students dropped from food stamps program
LANSING — About 30,000 college students have been cut from the Michigan food assistance program since April according to various reports. The DHS estimates that savings will be about $75 million dollars as a result of the students not receiving aid. The DHS also says that some exceptions will be given out for "non-traditional" students...Dismay expressed over findings in ICE’s investigation on abuse by its agents
DETROIT — After months of waiting, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has finally issued its overdue report on an investigation into abusive enforcement at Hope of Detroit Academy, and throughout the Detroit area. On Monday at the Detroit Hispanic Development Center, community leaders gathered to condemn the...Primary winners in Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck announced
DEARBORN — Both Walter Prusiewicz and Janet Badalow will compete on the November ballot for the position of Dearborn Heights city clerk after winning the top two spots in Tuesday's primary election. Prusiewicz recieved 41.7 percent, while Badalow got 25.9 percent. Prusiewicz currently holds the position and was appointed in April......
Local businesses weigh in on effects of Ramadan hours
DEARBORN — Any visitor strolling by some of Dearborn's local businesses on any given afternoon during the month of Ramadan might feel like they have entered a ghost town. What they might not realize however is that they may have just come at the wrong time. Bakeries such as Shatila in Dearborn on Warren Avenue usually see a large...We welcome the AAJA
It is with respect and excitement that The Arab American News welcomes the Asian American Journalists Association to Detroit for their annual convention this week. We welcome as well the more than 500 national and international journalists who are coming to experience the convention and to see for themselves what is going on in the heart......
Jordan: Ripe for reform, slow to change
AMMAN (IPS) — Having weathered the maelstrom that engulfed the Middle East earlier this year, Jordan's government has faced simmering unrest as protesters continue to press for political and economic reforms.The desert kingdom's ferment, which began in January, was inspired by the mass uprisings that ousted the dictators of Egypt and...
Detroit, Arab Americans roll out red carpet for AAJA convention
August 6th, 20110 While Detroit and its suburbs have been maligned in the national media, the area still ranks near the top when it comes to attracting major national events. Many local members of the Asian American Journalists Association, which also represents Arab Americans, were thrilled to find out that the city was chosen to host the 22nd...Chez Zara sets its European style presence in downtown Detroit
The style of the shop is definitely a contrast to the other big name coffee chains. According to Beydoun, when coming up with the concept of the place she wanted to add European elements to the style.When driving down Woodward Ave in downtown Detroit it might be easy to miss the little coffee shop on the corner of State St. named Chez...
U.S. Muslims more tolerant, opposed to violence than other faiths
August 6th, 20110 WASHINGTON (IPS) — Muslims in the United States express greater tolerance for members of other faiths than any other major religious group, according to a major new survey and report released here Thursday by the Abu Dhabi Gallup Center.They are also more likely than any other religious group to oppose violent or military attacks......
Snyder recall effort won’t make November ballot
LANSING — The committee to recall Gov. Rick Snyder says it has fallen short of the more than 800,000 signatures needed to recall him. But the group says it will continue and try to get the issue in front of voters this February instead. They have more than 300,000 signatures so far in protest of the Michigan governor who has taken heat...First national Ramadan promotion by major grocery chain
Whole Foods Market has collaborated with Saffron Road to launch a Ramadan marketing campaign. Both companies are hosting several blog posts and giving shoppers the chance to win free Saffron Road products and gift cards valued at $100 on the national food chain's website Whole Story Blog. The blogs are about preparing for Ramadan......
DOJ right on Alabama’s anti-immigrant law
On Monday, the Department of Justice filed suit against the state of Alabama to block the implementation of HB 56, which is set to take effect September 1. HB 56 is similar to but far more punitive than Arizona's SB 1070. The law includes provisions that require local school districts to check and report on the immigration status of all...Al-Saha hosts grand opening mixer with chamber, dignitaries
DEARBORN — Police Chief Ron Haddad, Mayor Jack O'Reilly, Debbie Dingell, wife of U.S. Congressman John Dingell (D-Dearborn), and more were welcomed by owners Taleh Bez (first from left) and Badie Munassar (fourth from left) and employees of the new Al-Saha restaurant along with the American Arab Chamber of Commerce for a networking......