Author's Posts
Reminder: Absentee ballot applications now available for the Nov. 8 general election
September 9th, 20220 Michigan voters are reminded that they can now apply to vote absentee in the Nov. 8 general election. Voters choosing to vote by mail are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible to avoid postal delays. All voters registered in Michigan are eligible to vote absentee. In 2018, voters removed barriers to absentee...
Dearborn author publishes first children’s book, inspired by labne and a cafeteria story
September 3rd, 20220 DEARBORN — A Dearborn-based author has penned her first children’s book inspired by a family member’s cafeteria experiences as one of few Arab Americans at their school. The Great Labne Trade, by author Eman Saleh, is a captivating children’s book meant to be "enjoyed by families across generations." Through beautiful...
Poll: Whitmer ahead of Dixon by double digits; abortion a critical issue for voters
September 2nd, 20220 In the race for governor, Democratic incumbent Gretchen Whitmer appears to be well ahead of her Republican opponent — by double digits in fact. Results from a statewide August poll conducted by EPIC-MRA shows that Whitmer has an 11-point lead over Dixon, a comfortable lead in what's sure to be a contentious race in November. But...
Muslim group demands charges in ethnic intimidation against Black FedEx driver
September 1st, 20220 CANTON – On Thursday, the Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a local branch of the nation’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, urged for law enforcement to charge a White man with ethnic intimidation for an alleged racially-motivated assault of a Black FedEx driver in...
Wayne County expands criteria for who can receive a monkeypox vaccine
September 1st, 20220 The Wayne County Health Department announced this week it is expanding eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine as infections continue in the state. The health department is asking those who in live in Wayne County and meet at least one of the below criteria to call 1-866-610-3885 to schedule an appointment, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m....
Qamaria Coffee opens fifth cafe location on the border of Dearborn, Dearborn Heights
September 1st, 20220 DEARBORN — Yemeni coffee is taking over the cafe scene in Metro Detroit by storm, and a major contributor to that world is Qamaria Coffee. The premium Yemeni coffee bean sourcing, roasting operation and cafe franchise is opening its fifth location at the border of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. Started by two Yemeni entrepreneurs...
Jewish Google employee resigns over company’s “complicity in Israeli apartheid”
September 1st, 20220 A Jewish employee at Google resigned, explaining in a public letter that the company is complicit in violations of Palestinian human rights due to its lucrative business ties with Israel’s apartheid government and attempts to silence those that speak out for those rights. Google has a billion-dollar contract with Amazon and the...
Federal agencies see guidance on data collection for MENA communities
August 26th, 20220 The federal office in charge of creating and overseeing the government’s population data collection practices is now providing guidance to agencies on how to collect data on the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) community using a separate ancestry question. Those working for proper recognition of the MENA community as its own...
Victims’ families, local community reject sectarian label in New Mexico murders
August 25th, 20220 ALBUQUERQUE, NM — In the case of four murdered Muslim men in Albuquerque, Muhammad Syed, an Afghan refugee, has now been charged with the murder of three of the victims. New Mexico prosecutors used cell phone evidence to link Syed, 51, to the Aug. 5 murder of truck business owner Naeem Hussain. Police previously charged Syed with...
Stabbing attack on Salman Rushdie was “preplanned,” prosecutor says; judge denies bail
August 13th, 20220 NEW YORK — The man accused in the stabbing attack on Salman Rushdie pleaded not guilty Saturday to attempted murder and assault charges in what a prosecutor called a "preplanned" crime, as the renowned author of The Satanic Verses remained hospitalized with serious injuries. A judge refused to grant bail Thursday to Hadi Matar, 24...
Ibrahim Aljahim headed to trial over 2019 charges of criminal sexual conduct with disabled student
August 12th, 20220 HAMTRAMCK — More than two years after a Hamtramck judge dismissed criminal sexual conduct charges, without prejudice, against community leader and activist Ibrahim Aljahim, the case is now bound for a jury trial after prosecutors introduced new evidence. A lengthy preliminary examination occurred early Thursday at the 31st District...
Redistricting, big money, representation: A look at some notable primary races
August 5th, 20220 DEARBORN - The Aug. 2 primary showcased some important races that cast a light on interesting developments in Metro Detroit politics, as well as national issues. In the lead up to key congressional races, major events created new potential for representation in a changing political landscapes in Metro Detroit. For the first time...
Rashida Tlaib wins big in primary for district covering new communities
August 3rd, 20220 DETROIT — Residents in Dearborn, Southfield, Livonia, Detroit and more are now closer to being represented by a storied member of the so-called "Squad" in the U.S House. With the results of Tuesday’s primary election trickling in slowly throughout the night, District 12 candidate Rashida Tlaib, the incumbent in the race, cemented...
Primary election off to a slow, but steady, start in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck
August 2nd, 20220 Arab American neighborhoods in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Hamtramck have some important choice to make about representations in the federal, state and county governments today. The primary election was off to a predictably slow start, with the city clerk in Hamtramck reporting only some 800 of the 1,300 or so absentee ballots sent...
Rashida Tlaib talks potential of representing Dearborn, pro-corporate attacks, needs of working class residents
July 30th, 20220 Incumbent U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) is running in a well-publicized primary election for the newly-drawn District 12, which includes Dearborn, most of Dearborn Heights, western Detroit neighborhoods and some new communities to the north. Though she faces competition from hopefuls from the local Democratic political world,......
After nearly a decade representing Dearborn, Debbie Dingell is vying for a newly-drawn, neighboring district
July 29th, 20220 DEARBORN - U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) is running to represent the newly-drawn District Six after serving her current district, which includes Dearborn, for eight years. Dingell, widow of the of the late long-serving U.S. Rep. John Dingell, has been closely associated with Dearborn and surrounding areas, which ties into her...
Q&A: Portia Roberson is running for the newly-drawn U.S. House District 13 in a crowded primary
July 29th, 20220 DETROIT — Portia Roberson is a candidate in the August 2 primary election in the newly-drawn U.S. House District 13, covering much of Detroit and Hamtramck, as well as Downriver and western Wayne communities and eastern cities like Grosse Pointe. The district also includes the southern portion of Dearborn Heights. Besides......
County in Maryland removes resolution that conflates criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism
July 25th, 20220 MARYLAND — A civil rights organization is welcoming the decision by the County Council in Maryland to remove a resolution that would have redefined anti-Semitism to include any criticism of well-documented human rights abuses by the Israeli occupation in Palestine. Montgomery County, located just outside of Washington, D.C., is...
Q&A: Huwaida Arraf is running for the increasingly diverse 10th Congressional District
July 23rd, 20220 Human rights activist and attorney Huwaida Arraf is running for the 10th Congressional District in this August’s primary. Voters will have a choice of candidates for representation in Washington D.C. from a crowded pool of five Democrats (including Arraf), two Republicans and a Libertarian. The newly drawn 10th Congressional...
Abraham Aiyash looks to retain MI House seat, talks issues of importance to working families in redrawn district
July 22nd, 20220 HAMTRAMCK — Abraham Aiyash is running to retain his seat in the State House in the August 2 primary election, in a redrawn district that includes new neighborhoods in Detroit, as well as the area covering Hamtramck that he currently represents. The energetic community advocate has long been closely associated with local progressive...
The legal age to buy tobacco, or even walk into a tobacco store, is now 21 in Michigan
July 21st, 20220 LANSING — You now have to be 21 years of age to purchase tobacco products in Michigan. The new rule is the result of a package of legislation signed by Governor Whitmer on Thursday that target public health-related issues. Legislation targeting the legal age for tobacco purchase in the state includes bills in both the State......
After pushback, Google removes stereotypical Arabic translation suggestion
July 21st, 20220 Google removed a stereotypical translation suggestion to a simple Arabic word from its widely used Google Translate app this week, after being contacted by media and an advocacy group. The change took place on Wednesday, after Newsweek pointed out to the company that when users entered the Arabic word for the verb "plan", Google...
On Israeli trip, Biden reiterates commitment to Israel, reaffirms two-state solution
July 15th, 20220 In his Middle East trip, President Biden reiterated his support for for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, amid a backdrop of deep skepticism from Palestinians and international human rights groups that the U.S. leader is willing to give more than lip service to Palestinians living under a brutal occupation. Biden met with......
Whitmer signs education budget with highest per-pupil spending in Michigan
July 15th, 20220 FLINT — The state’s new education budget promises the highest per-pupil spending in Michigan to date. Governor Whitmer signed the educational budget agreed upon by the state’s legislature, at the Mott Community College Regional Tech Center in Flint on Thursday. She said the budget also invests half a billion dollars in...
State abortion fight continues: Whitmer signs executive order against extradition; record number of signatures in petition drive
July 14th, 20220 LANSING — The fight to maintain abortion rights intact in the state continues, with new actions from Governor Whitmer as well as voters. This week, Whitmer signed an executive order refusing to extradite people who come to Michigan seeking reproductive health care. It also protects providers of legal abortion in Michigan, who will......
