The Arab American News
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Second humanitarian flotilla prepares to sail for Gaza
BILBAO, Spain (IPS) — As the second Freedom Flotilla, made up of some 10 ships carrying 1,000 activists from 20 countries, gets ready to sail for the besieged Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities are stepping up their threats. The Israeli government is putting pressure on other Mediterranean...Jordan information minister quits over ‘restrictive’ laws
AMMAN — Jordan's Information Minister Taher Adwan said on Tuesday he has resigned because of laws he deemed "restrictive for freedom of expression." Jordan's Information Minister Taher Adwan"I submitted my resignation today to Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit in protest at a government decision" to...BBC Arabic Service gets more funds
LONDON — The British government announced Wednesday it will boost funding for the BBC's Arabic Service in recognition of its "valuable work" during the political turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa. In a written statement to parliament, Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Foreign...Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker Wilders acquitted
AMSTERDAM — Dutch far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders walked away from hate speech and discrimination charges Thursday for statements made attacking Islam, calling his acquittal a victory for freedom of speech."You are being acquitted on all the charges that were put against you," Judge Marcel van Oosten told Wilders who has been on trial...Kuwaiti PM survives another confidence vote
KUWAIT CITY — Kuwait's premier on Thursday comfortably survived a parliament vote called by the opposition in a bid to oust him over allegations he boosted ties with Iran rather than Gulf Arab states, the parliament speaker announced. Only 18 MPs voted for the motion, seven votes short of...Saudi women in driving protest
RIYADH — Two Saudi women said they drove their cars on Wednesday in a new protest against a ban on women driving in the conservative Muslim kingdom. Their actions came in response to a call on the Internet for women in Riyadh to get behind the wheel, after a show of defiance on Friday in which...Rights groups fault Ben Ali trial for not having victims present
TUNIS — Three human rights groups Wednesday welcomed the corruption conviction of Tunisia's ousted president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and his wife, but said conditions for a fair trial were not met. In a joint statement, the International Federation of Human Rights, the Tunisian League of Human...The Afghan drawdown is long, long overdue
President Obama is now doing something politically difficult — drawing down our troops from Afghanistan. However difficult it will be for the president to weather his Washington critics, it is the right decision politically and militarily. The United States has been fighting in Afghanistan...A framework for lasting immigration reform
This week Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Harry Reid (D-NV), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) and John Kerry (D-MA) introduced the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011," a bill that seeks to fix a system that has been broken for...
Arab Americans rally with Syrians in support of Assad reforms, unity
June 24th, 20110 Syrian Ambassador to the United States Imad Moustapha speaks in Dearborn on Tuesday, June 21 alongside Syrian American youth at the Lebanese American Heritage Club. Moustapha said anti-Assad rallies in the country are being led by armed terrorist groups.DEARBORN — Some of America's most popular news sources such as CNN and FOX News...Upcoming interfaith camp for kids builds “culture of peace”
DEARBORN — The 2011 interfaith "Peace Camp," a free, fun activity for children ages 6-12 plus parents and other adults, will be held from July 19-21 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Littlefield Presbyterian Church. The camp seeks to build bridges and to help build a "culture of peace" between children and others of all faiths in...Senate panel investigating CIA spying claims made by Michigan professor, Middle East writer Cole
ANN ARBOR – The Senate Intelligence Committee is now reviewing claims by a former official that the White House asked the CIA to dig up negative information about him according to the Detroit Free Press. University of Michigan history Professor Juan Cole, who authors the popular blog on Middle...
SPLC Intelligence Report: Anti-Muslim hatred on the rise
June 24th, 20110 MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A decade after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a second wave of anti-Muslim hatred is being propelled by a small cadre of activists who are exploiting Americans' fears of Islamic extremism, according to the latest issue of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence...Comedian’s Middle East documentary to be screened on July 8
Comedian Ahmed AhmedROYAL OAK — Egyptian-American comedian Ahmed Ahmed will be bringing his directorial debut film "Just Like Us" to Michigan on July 8, where the film will open at the Landmark Main Art Theater. The film, presented by Cross Cultural Entertainment and Cross Cultural Productions, opened in selected cities across...Delegates from four countries attend education/employment program at HFCC
From L-R: Nidal Ayesh, Ahmed Abdenasser, Eman Azim, Darin Hussein, Redouane Amezoirou, Khaddouj Benkhadra, M’hammed Abbad Andaloussi, Hussam Arman, and Ahmed Abdel-Rahim were nine of the 16-member delegation from Morocco, Egypt, Palestine, and Algeria who attended last week’s Education to Employment Program.DEARBORN – Henry Ford......
Sectarianism dominates the movement against Syria’s government
June 24th, 20110 Supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad take part in a rally to support him at al-Umawiin square in Damascus June 21, 2011, in this handout photograph released by Syria's national news agency SANA. Several large government rallies took place across the country to support him. Al-Assad issued a general amnesty on Tuesday, a day...Snyder only Republican to not sign GOP letter on Medicaid, Obamacare
LANSING - Michigan Governor Rick Snyder refused to sign the Republican party's letter stating its healthcare goals and was the only member to do so. The letter featured a call to reverse new federal reforms for health care. The Republican Governors Association sent the letter, which called for......
Qatar envoy elected head of UN Assembly
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations on Wednesday elected Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser of Qatar as president of the UN General Assembly for 2011-12. Nasser, Qatar's ambassador to the United Nations since 1998, was elected by acclamation by the 192 UN members. The assembly presidency is rotated...
Chamber says festival draws record crowd, local business owners debate benefits
June 24th, 20110 The main stage featured performances from local singers and one Yemeni singer along with a singing contest. Photo courtesy of AACCDEARBORN – Warren Avenue on the city's east side was transformed into one of metro Detroit's biggest street festivals yet again last weekend as part of the 16th Arab International...State colleges raise tuition in response to budget cuts
DEARBORN — In response to cuts in Michigan's recently-approved budget, state universities are expecting a wide range of tuition raises next school year, with Oakland University expected to adopt the highest raise at a 7% level. Michigan State's tuition will go up 6.9%, Michigan Tech's 6.95%, Lake...Families wanted for “Muslims in the Middle” film
While they are busy promoting this film, the producers have already begun plotting their next step. They are preparing a new project titled "Muslims in the Middle," with the goal to showcase Arab and Muslim families living normal lives in the U.S. Cross-Town Media is on the search for potential......
Last-minute Lapeer Pool closing proposal surprised official, south end residents
June 24th, 20110 Volunteers led by community activist William Ali and Mark Lane of Save Our Pools Dearborn helped refurbish Lapeer Pool on the south end of the city. A proposal to close the pool a day before budget approval caught many off guard but was then rescinded. Photo courtesy of William AliDEARBORN — While most of the talk leading up to June 6...Dearborn Towers complex close to being sold by city
DEARBORN – A purchase agreement for the Dearborn Towers was presented to City Council on Tuesday by Mayor Jack O'Reilly. The selling of the towers, which are large city-owned, senior-living apartment buildings, had already been factored into the budget for 2011 and 2012, a budget that was......
Metro Detroit Youth Day adds new event
DETROIT — The 35,000-plus youngsters from the Metro Detroit area will experience new attractions at Metro Detroit Youth Day (MDYD) this year at the colorful event for children during its 29th anniversary being held July 13 at the athletic field on Belle Isle. In addition to its regular menu...Teen pregnancy costs state taxpayers $7.6 billion
LANSING — The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy said that while progress has been made in the past 20 years, the problem persists. The cost to state taxpayers was about $7.6 billion and more than 260,000 teenage girls gave birth in Michigan between 1991 and 2008 according......