The Arab American News
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Islamic Congress loses again
On October 10, the British Columbia Human Rights Commission handed down a decision dismissing charges brought by the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) against Maclean's magazine. The Congress complained to the Commission that an article in the magazine by Mark Steyn entitled "The Future Belongs to Islam" was anti-Muslim hate propaganda,...
Candidates cut from the same cloth
October 17th, 20080 Senator and presidential candidate John McCain betrayed more than a passing ignorance of all things Middle Eastern when he reassured a woman at one of his rallies last week that his opponent, Senator Barack Obama, is not an Arab. McCain self-righteously believed he was defending his opponent, which, if he really knew what he was talking...Arabs are decent family men too
I like to think I'm a decent African-American family man just like Barak Obama. So what I saw on October 10 was as stunning to me as two blows to the stomach. The first blow took my breath away: a supporter of Republican presidential candidate John McCain at a McCain rally in Lakeville, Minnesota declared he was afraid to raise his...ADC combats immigration fraud
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) has received a generous grant from the American Bar Association (ABA) Fund for Justice and Education through a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, to combat the increasing problem of notario fraud within the Arab American community. According to the ABA, "notarios" or...There’s only one answer to the money crisis
The democratic system is the best governing system in the world, because it gives you a choice. The only problem is that the choice is between two negatives. It is like telling you: "You are getting ready to get slapped. Which hand do you want to get slapped with? The left hand or the right?" And the mainstream media gets you so involved...Kurdish Jews recall a paradise lost
SAN FRANCISCO (IPS) — It's become popular, when talking about ongoing violence in U.S.-occupied Iraq, for officials in Washington and the media to paint the Iraqi people as savages who can't help but keep killing each other. In the vice presidential debate, Democrat Joe Biden said "the history of the last 700 years" showed the Iraqi...
19th District Court candidates
October 17th, 20080 The race for 19th District Court Judge in Dearborn will be decided at the polls on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Mark Somers will face off against challenger and local lawyer Candyce Abbatt for the seat. In an effort to get to know the candidates better, The Arab American News asked them to answer the following questions via e-mail...Coalition speaks out against anti-Muslim DVD
Los Angeles — Sheriff Lee Baca, actor Mike Farrell and nearly 20 members of the newly formed Coalition for Renewing American Democracy held a press conference last week to voice their unified opposition to an anti-Muslim DVD called "Obsession." Since mid-September, roughly 28 million copies of a DVD called "Obsession: Radical...
Community challenges new FBI measures
October 17th, 20080 DEARBORN - Arab American community leaders voiced growing concerns with several issues involving law enforcement agencies Thursday at a Building Respect in Diverse Groups to Enhance Sensitivity (BRIDGES) meeting. About 60 Arab American leaders and law enforcement officials discuss civil rights issues at the Lebanese American...Shaheen to perform with DSO
DETROIT — Oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen will perform Concerto No.1 for Oud and Orchestra with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and conductor Tito Munoz on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008 at the Max. M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit. Oud virtuoso Simon Shaheen The event is a world premiere of his performance and will feature a...
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IN DEARBORN
October 17th, 20080 Fordson High’s offense was on the attack all night last Friday in their 24-14 win over Dearborn High School. Photo: Nick Meyer/TAANDearborn High School (5-2 overall, 3-2 Mega Red) Last week: Lost to Fordson, 24-14 This week: at home vs. Monroe, 7 p.m. Friday Edsel Ford (6-1, 5-1 Mega Blue) Last week: Beat Highland Park...
ACCESS job fair draws a crowd
October 17th, 20080 DEARBORN — About 1,000 people came out to ACCESS' (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services) Holiday 2008 Job Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 15 to apply for employment with over 40 companies. Space was tight and competition was fierce for ACCESS' third job fair of the year, with people lining up outside the organization's...
Drive one for Fordson
October 17th, 20080 Dearborn — In an innovative twist on conventional fundraising, the community of Dearborn will have the opportunity to earn money for Fordson High School simply by test driving a new Ford vehicle. For every participant who takes an all-new Flex, or a new Focus, Edge or other Ford vehicle for a spin during the Drive One 4 UR School event...
Camp Dearborn offers Halloween fun this weekend
October 17th, 20080 DEARBORN — Camp Dearborn is offering some Halloween-themed fun for campers this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18. Camp Dearborn is a unique 626-acre recreational facility that's located in Milford, owned and operated by the City of Dearborn and open to the public. Among its variety of amenities are campsites, tents and cabins for...
Dearborn rivalry heats up gridiron
October 11th, 20080 DEARBORN — The long-standing athletic rivalry between Dearborn High School and Fordson resumes on Friday at 7 p.m. at Fordson, and this year, the Mega Red Divisional Championship could be on the line. But another championship is also on the line that might be even more important to the players, despite its lesser overall status in......
Group warns of domestic “October surprise”
October 11th, 20080 DEARBORN — The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is warning communities of what it is calling a potential "October surprise," in the form of surges in targeted law enforcement activities toward Arab Americans. ADC Regional Director Imad Hamad said the group has received a number complaints from Arab Americans who...
Suicide claims more Israeli soldiers than all other causes combined
October 11th, 20080 Alice Rothchild is the latest peace activist to visit the Detroit area in Jewish Voice for Peace-Detroit fall activities directed at educating the Jewish community and the public on the continuous genocide being practiced against Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The reception, presentation and book-signing event for......
Long-time employee sues utility company
October 11th, 20080 A former champion boxer and U.S. Army veteran is suing his employer, Consumers Energy — Michigan's second largest utility company — for $15 million, alleging years of discrimination and harassment that came to a head on Sept. 29 when he was suspended from his position as a gas technician. Attorney Nabih Ayad filed the lawsuit...“Allah Made Me Funny” brings the laughs
It takes courage, intense sacrifice and endless hard work and perseverance to lead a movement against bigotry, intolerance and injustice... unless you're a comedian. Then it's fun. When three Muslims from three different backgrounds get together with funny material on their families, their names and their social struggles and tour...
AAPAC releases endorsement slate
October 11th, 20080 DEARBORN — The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) released its official local endorsements Thursday for the upcoming election, but did not endorse a presidential candidate. "We cant," said AAPAC Endorsement Chair Abed Hammoud. "No request was received from either campaign." He said Democratic nominee Barack Obama's...
Judicial candidates face off in forum
October 11th, 20080 DEARBORN — The candidates for 19th District Court Judge made their way to Bint Jebail Cultural Center in Dearborn last Wednesday night for a forum to discuss key issues of importance to voters. The forum guests were candidates Mark Somers, the current 19th District Court judge, and challenger Candyce Abbatt, a local attorney. The......
Islamophobia, the new anti-Semitism
Last year, when the notorious Daniel Pipes came to speak at the University of Michigan, there seemed to be a flurry of anti-Islamic activity occurring all over the place. The incidents below are just a random sampling of far right activities that have the perceived "Islamic threat" in common; its status as a political goldmine was...Sheriff says cyber bullying is a real concern
With school just getting back into session most parents will, at some level, worry a bit about their child's well being as it relates to his or her new classmates. No matter what school district your child is in, there always seems to be at least one troublemaker who causes them great anxiety through aggressive behavior.......
Religious freedom ultimate protector
October 11th, 20080 During a press conference held this week at the Interfaith Alliance in Washington, DC, prominent religious Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders condemned the recent distribution of an anti-Muslim DVD to more than 28 million households in key election swing states. Rabbi Jack Moline, Chair of the Interfaith Alliance, also called on both...Arabs among candidates for parliament
While they are not likely to win a seat in the current Canadian federal election campaign, there are two Arabs and a man of Hindu background running for office in the Ottawa South electoral district. Currently, the seat is held by David McGuinty, the Liberal and brother of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. It is likely that he......