Local artist presented with the Art and Culture Award by the Lebanese Ministry of Culture
March 21st, 20240 DEARBORN — During an exhibition showcasing some of his work, international artist Haroutioun “Harout” Isack Bastajian was presented with the Art and Culture Award by the Lebanese Ministry of Culture. The Lebanese artist of Armenian ethnicity decorated the interior of the Islamic Center of America prayer room and his artwork has...
Resilient Neighborhoods: Islamic Center of Detroit’s Muhammad Ali Park brings community together
March 1st, 20240 DETROIT – The Islamic Center of Detroit opened Muhammad Ali Park last spring as one of its many initiatives to bring together District Seven. Islamic Center of Detroit Community Relations Director Muthanna Al-Hanooti said the area, formerly known as Belton-Mark Twain Park, transformed into a beautiful space. “We converted the...
Women: Are you a victim of overthinking?
February 27th, 20240 By Jumana Judeh, PhD Imagine finally getting a chance to sit down and relax at the end of your day and then it happens, your mind starts wondering. Did I get everything done that I needed to? Are the kids ok? Am I over my budget on the family expenses? How can I continue working long hours and maintain a certain level of...
Hollywood wages “holy war” on stars who dare to speak for Palestinian justice
November 24th, 20230 Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and Scream star Melissa Barrera were each dropped by Hollywood companies after making comments on the Israeli war on Gaza that some deemed "anti-Semitic." Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind the upcoming Scream VII, acknowledged Barrera’s exit from the horror franchise. The...
Wayne County announces “Fall in Love with Wayne County” photo contest
October 6th, 20230 WAYNE COUNTY – Are you ready to Fall in Love with Wayne County? Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans has announced the kickoff of a photo contest designed to highlight the autumn season and celebrate the change of colors. Through Oct. 31, residents are encouraged to submit photos capturing the fall colors emerging across Wayne County...
Resilient Neighborhoods: This northwest Detroit park has become a hub for biking and wellness activities
September 16th, 20230 By David Sands On a sunny Tuesday, Catherine Smith was getting ready to practice tai chi at Cool Cities Park. Smith, a resident of northwest Detroit's HOPE Village neighborhood, briefly practiced the Chinese martial arts form known for its slow graceful moves when she lived in Louisiana and is looking forward to trying it out...
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center opens exhibit celebrating Arab American artists
September 14th, 20230 DEARBORN — On Saturday, Sept. 16, the Padzieski Art Gallery will feature a new exhibit called “For the Love of Humanity”, showcasing the work of Arab American artists. The show will feature artwork from 10 distinct artists and is free of charge. The show will run through Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Dearborn Ford Community &...
Superstar Ragheb Alama talks about the changes in the entertainment industry, the Arab American achievements and Lebanon’s economic quagmire
September 8th, 20230 DEARBORN – As part of his entertainment tour in the United States, the Lebanese superstar Ragheb Alama had a magnificent performance last Saturday, described by attendants as “a night of a lifetime” at the Motor City Casino in downtown Detroit. Alama's performance restored the strong relationship between The Arab American...
Dearborn’s Homecoming returns to Ford Field Park August 4-6
August 2nd, 20230 DEARBORN – The 42nd annual Dearborn Homecoming Festival will return to Dearborn’s Ford Field Park Friday, Aug. 4 - Sunday, Aug. 6 at 22051 Cherry Hill Rd. The festival, which is presented by J&T Crova Towing, will include free musical performances and family activities, a fireworks show, food and carnival rides, among other...
Henry Ford Museum to host exhibition featuring life of Nelson Mandela
July 22nd, 20230 DEARBORN – An exhibition featuring the life of the late President of South Africa and activist Nelson Mandela is coming to The Henry Ford, the museum announced on Tuesday. “Mandela: The Official Exhibition” is an interactive experience featuring previously unseen photos, unseen footage and more than 150 historical artifacts and...
Michigan allows alcohol sales at college sporting events
July 22nd, 20230 LANSING – On Tuesday, Gov. Whitmer signed legislation into law that will allow alcohol to be sold at college sporting events and make liquor-to-go permanent. The first bill signed by Whitmer on July 18 now allows sporting venues at public universities to sell alcohol. Schools like the University of Michigan and Michigan State...
Resilient neighborhoods: Southwest Detroit nonprofit celebrates opening of youth-driven community center
July 3rd, 20230 By David Sands Jesus Sanchez, 21, has watched a once-blighted apartment complex in his Southwest Detroit neighborhood slowly come back to life over the last few years. Now he's full of enthusiasm to see it used in a way that benefits his community. Located near the intersection of Junction Avenue and St. Hedwig Street, the building...
Michigan legislature passes bills to end child marriage
June 25th, 20230 LANSING — On Thursday, the Michigan Senate voted to pass multiple bills that would establish 18 as the minimum age of consent for marriage in the state. State senators passed Senate Bills 209-217 and Senate Bill 246 almost unanimously. On Wednesday, House legislators passed a bill that would ban all child marriages in the state,...
Celebrating Mike Mosallam: A Dearborn native and proud Arab American wins a Tony Award
June 16th, 20230 By Rashid Baydoun DEARBORN — In a moment of triumph for the local community, Mike Mosallam, a native of Dearborn and a proud Arab American, has clinched a prestigious Tony Award, solidifying his place as an influential figure in the performing arts. Mosallam’s win, a result of his co-producing efforts in the acclaimed musical...
Dialect discrimination: 1-in-3 Michiganders fear an “accent wage penalty”, study reveals
May 26th, 20230 In a 2015 interview, Stephen Colbert was quoted as saying: “At a very young age, I decided I was not gonna have a Southern accent”, adding that as he thought it would hold him back professionally. He noted that it is difficult to determine a newscaster's regional origin based on their accent. Research from the University of......
Local artist recognized for his contribution to Islamic culture through art
May 25th, 20231 DEARBORN — Local artist Haroutioun “Harout” Isack Bastajian was recently recognized during the Islamic Center of America’s (ICA) 61st anniversary Semi-Annual Fundraising Dinner. The Lebanese artist of Armenian origin who decorated the interior of the ICA prayer room was honored at the event that brought more than 1,000 members...
Georgetown opens first-of-its-kind mosque on a U.S. college campus
March 31st, 20230 Every day, Tabshir Forkan walks to Georgetown’s masjid, or mosque, on campus for its daily prayer services. He steps into the sunlit, open worship space to pray. Afterward, he often finds himself in the masjid’s community space, attending spiritual discussions and dinners, studying, meeting with friends. “It’s a space I......
Community celebrates Ramadan with fasting, praying and nightly activities
March 24th, 20230 DEARBORN – Thursday, March 23, marks the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims around the world and in the Detroit region will undergo the spiritual and social experience of this holy month of fasting. Muslims in Metro Detroit will return to religious and community gatherings and nightly activities after the...
U.N. World Arabic Language Day: Americans’ desire to learn Arabic grows
December 24th, 20220 December 18 marked the 10th United Nations World Arabic Language Day, which celebrates the language spoken by more than 300 million people, primarily in the Middle East and North Africa. Arabic is also the fastest-growing language in the United States, according to Census data. Arabic has become the eighth-most taught language in U.S....
Dearborn crowd celebrates Morocco’s soccer semifinal match despite loss
December 16th, 20220 DEARBORN — A very excited crowd banged drums and waved mostly Moroccan flags during Wednesday's World Cup semifinal watch party, hosted by Mayor Abdullah Hammoud at the Michael A. Guido Theater. The Morocco fans — nearly everyone in attendance — were unwaveringly optimistic, cheering each time the Morocco team dribbled the ball...
Representing Dearborn in MMA, Abe Alsaghir thanks coaches, family for 5-0 streak
November 4th, 20220 DEARBORN — Dearborn has a rising star in mixed martial arts (MMA) and he's fresh off a 5-0 record, hungry for more and looking ahead at a bright future in one of the country’s most popular sports. 21-year-old Abe Alsaghir’s story is yet another example of the community's immigrant, working class roots and its penchant for......
$25k “no-strings attached” fellowships available for area artists through the Kresge Foundation
November 3rd, 20220 DETROIT — Metro Detroit artists are invited to apply for Kresge Artist Fellowships, now in its 15th year. Kresge Artist Fellowships are $25,000 no strings attached awards, which include professional development support and the creation of a short film highlighting the artist’s work. In 2023, Kresge Arts in Detroit — a...
Galata Sweets brings one-of-a-kind Turkish food experience to downtown west Dearborn
October 16th, 20220 DEARBORN — Galata Sweets, a new cafe, bakery and breakfast spot, is set to leave its mark on Dearborn’s vibrant food scene. Located in downtown west Dearborn just south of Michigan Avenue on Mason Street, Galata is not the only Turkish food or cafe experience in Michigan, but is the first in the state to provide a Turkish cafe,......
Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson: In Detroit I found my voice
October 8th, 20220 By Zeinab A. Lecanu, special to The Arab American News From a childhood marked by loneliness and want, Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson forged an extraordinary life of accomplishment and acclaim. His accomplishments include the presidencies of four universities, dean of two medical schools and deputy director of one of the National...
From Exodus to Marvel: A brief history of Hollywood’s justification of Israeli war crimes
October 3rd, 20220 The introduction of an Israeli Mossad agent as the latest Marvel movie character crosses the line, even by Hollywood's poor moral standards. However, the Israeli superhero, Sabra, must be understood within the rational progression of the Israelification of Hollywood, a phenomenon that is surprisingly new. Sabra is a relatively old......
