Author's Posts
Hamtramck’s all-Muslim elected government is sworn in during historic inauguration
January 4th, 20220 HAMTRAMCK — New members of Hamtramck’s first all-Muslim City Council and its first Muslim Arab American mayor, Amer Ghalib, were sworn in on Sunday, Jan. 2 Judge Alexis Krot swore in Ghalib and new Council members Khalil Al-Refai, Amanda Jaczkowski and Adam Albarmaki. They joined current Councilmen Mohammed Hassan and Mohammed...
Community mourns passing of longtime local teachers union president John McDonald
January 1st, 20220 The passing of a longtime local teachers union president and college professor is being mourned by many in the Dearborn community. John McDonald served as the president of the Henry Ford College (HFC) Federation of Teachers, Local 1650 for an unprecedented 43 years and was a faculty member at HFC for nearly 53 years. McDonald also...
Redistricting Commission adopts final maps, offering possibilities for Arab American enclaves
December 29th, 20210 The state’s citizen-led, bipartisan Redistricting Commission has adopted its final versions of political maps by the expected timeline. Although experts are now anticipating legal challenges to the maps, residents at least get a good glimpse into how they could be represented in state House and Senate seats as well as the important...
Local religious leaders say people have “religious obligation” to keep others safe during COVID surge
December 26th, 20210 With COVID-19 cases continuing to surge in the area, religious and community leaders are urging people to take caution around the holidays. The Wayne County Health Department COVID-19 dashboard shows Dearborn still in the lead for total cases and deaths. County-wide cases continue to average well above 500 a day and hospital emergency...Redistricting maps continue to face criticism for lack of minority and ethnic representations
December 24th, 20210 MICHIGAN — The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) is expected to vote on the final political district maps starting Dec. 28. The upcoming finalization of the state’s political boundaries comes after months of debate and deliberation over the drawing of state and federal districts, with the aim to give...
Passport fees set to increase by $20 starting Dec. 27
December 23rd, 20211 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. State Department said this week that on Dec 27, the cost for a passport book will increase by $20. The department said the the increased fee is necessary to ensure it continues to produce one of the most secure travel and identity documents in the world. Travelers can learn more about their...
Mayor-elect Hammoud selects Issa Shahin as next Dearborn chief of police
December 20th, 20210 DEARBORN — Dearborn Mayor-elect Abdullah Hammoud has selected Dearborn Police Department Commander Issa Shahin as the city’s next chief of police, effective Saturday, Jan. 1. Shahin has served in that department for some 24 years, serving as executive commander for the last three. He will succeed current Chief Ronald Haddad, who...
Dearborn Council President-elect Mike Sareini talks outgoing administration’s rush to fill positions in its 11th hour
December 18th, 20211 Dearborn's City Council president-elect is speaking out against the efforts of the outgoing administration to illegally create a position for one of its political appointees in the new city administration. Dearborn City Councilman Mike Sareini, who is also Council president-elect, stopped by The Arab American News offices to chat with...
House passes bill to combat Islamophobia after racist remarks made by Trump-endorsee U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert
December 17th, 20210 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that would establish a special envoy office at the U.S. State Department with the aim to "monitor and combat" international Islamophobia. The Combating International Islamophobia Act, introduced by U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Jan Schakowsky...
Hundred of Virginia school students walk out, asking accountability over Islamophobic attack on student
December 17th, 20211 Hundreds of Fairfax High School students in the town of Fairfax, Virginia walked out on Thursday and demanded their school take action following a disturbing attack on one their Muslim schoolmates by a fellow student. On Tuesday, a boy reportedly pushed a Muslim girl to the ground, took off her Islamic head scarf or hijab and beat her...
When to expect $400 car insurance refund checks
December 14th, 20210 LANSING — The state of Michigan announced a new consumer page for residents to learn about the upcoming $400 car insurance refund checks, for which the state has set a May 29 deadline on insurers. The state has also launched a consumer FAQ page at Michigan.gov/MCCArefund. The web page contains important information and answers...
Against city rules, outgoing Dearborn administration gives new $80K position to public information director
December 11th, 20210 DEARBORN - Dearborn community members and a City Councilman were alarmed and concerned by a last-minute salaried position created improperly at the 11th hour and given to a political appointee as the city transitions out into a new administration and Council, and is facing a massive budget shortfall. The “Neighborhood Liaison”...
Pfizer booster doses authorized for ages 16-17
December 10th, 20210 LANSING - Following CDC approval, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging all eligible Michiganders 16 and up to get the Pfizer booster vaccine if they have received their two primary COVID-19 vaccines. Currently, Pfizer is the only authorized vaccine for under age 18. Eligible Michiganders should...
First Omicron variant case detected in Michigan
December 10th, 20210 LANSING — Michigan has recorded its first confirmed case of the emerging Omicron COVID-19 variant as it continues to battle rising cases of the dangerous Delta variant. The news comes as the country is coming to grips with yet another variant of the virus, with first cases reported in California, New York and Colorado in the last...
Michigan drivers to receive $400 refunds in 2022
December 7th, 20210 MICHIGAN — The state of Michigan announced refund checks of $400 per vehicle for drivers in 2022. The money, $3 billion in total, comes from surplus funds that Michigan drivers have paid into the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA). The MCCA is a non-profit unincorporated association created by the Michigan......
Here’s how to receive state assistance to help pay for heating and electric bills this winter
December 4th, 20210 LANSING — Michiganders who need help with heating or electric bills can call 211 or go to mi211.org to get the resources and support they need to stay warm this winter. The state has been awarded $54.5 million in Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) grants to help families pay for heat and energy as the winter...
MMCC hold leadership dinner celebrating Muslim unity and COVID volunteer work
December 4th, 20210 The Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC) held its inaugural Muslim Leadership Appreciation Dinner on Nov. 20. The MMCC has been an instrumental community volunteer and civic service association in Michigan for decades and has encouraged various Michigan Muslim communities to get further involved in community service. The......
Omicron variant cases confirmed in U.S., health officials on alert
December 1st, 20210 - Briana Gasorski contributed to this report The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday that the first case of the newly emerging Omicron variant of COVID-19 was detected in the U.S. A second case was announced in Minnesota on Thursday, after which two more states, New York and Colorado, reported...
Community continues to deal with reckless driving and road safety issues
November 25th, 20210 DEARBORN — The Dearborn Police Department said this week it was investigating a dangerous case of reckless driving and shooting in the city. Police asked the community for help identifying people who were involved in Monday’s incident. Officers were dispatched to the area of Cherry Hill and Silvery Lane for two vehicles, a 2020...
Michigan set to receive federal funds for lead water line replacements
November 25th, 20210 LANSING — This week, Governor Whitmer announced the state would be receiving federal money towards replacing lead service lines in the state, a badly needed project. The funds are earmarked for water infrastructure and come from the newly-signed federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Michigan is set to receive $10...
Michigan launches program to provide free, at-home COVID-19 tests through schools
November 19th, 20210 LANSING — The state has launched a program to make free at-home COVID-19 tests available to families through schools. On Thursday, Governor Whitmer launched a new pilot program in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) called "MI Backpack Home Tests" to provide free, at-home COVID-19 antigen......
Free or low-cost childcare now available for families of four earning up to $49,000
November 16th, 20210 LANSING — Michigan's new budget enables the state to expand free and low-cost childcare service to more families, the governor's office announced this week. Governor Whitmer announced Wednesday the expansion of free or low-cost childcare to 105,000 more children through expanded income eligibility criteria. Families of four earning...
Gala raises funds for upcoming “Mosque of the Prophet” in East Dearborn
November 12th, 20210 DEARBORN — East Dearborn can soon look forward to a new mosque and prayer space thanks to the efforts of community members to develop an extension of the long-running Islamic Institute of Knowledge (IIOK) on Schaefer Road. The new development will be significant in several ways. Named the "Mosque of the Prophet", the new mosque......
Community mourns death of 6-year-old; hit and run driver turns himself in
November 12th, 20210 DEARBORN – Tragedy struck the community when a 6-year-old was struck and killed by a driver on a residential street in Dearborn on Sunday. The Dearborn Police Department said that on Nov. 7, at approximately 2:50 p.m., officers responded to the 7600 block of Bingham Hit on the report of a pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle....
Palestinian American Huwaida Arraf announces Congressional bid for Thumb district
November 11th, 20210 A Palestinian American has announced her campaign to represent Michigan’s 10th Congressional District. Huwaida Arraf is a "working mother, human rights advocate, attorney and first-generation American," says a campaign press release. She is vying for a Congressional seat in a state that is slated to see a reshaping of its political......
