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...
Lebanese dance troupe crowned winners of “America’s Got Talent”
September 16th, 20220 A Lebanese dance troupe has won the top prize on the popular American television show America’s Got Talent, becoming the first Arab participants to do so. Mayyas, an all-female dance act, won the $1 million prize, and the chance to headline a Las Vegas show, after they received the most votes from the public, beating the other 10...
Speaker brings her virtual journey, “From Ancient Amman to the Deserts of Jordan” to the Dearborn Public Library
September 13th, 20220 DEARBORN — The Dearborn Public Library will host Dearborn resident Mariya Fogarasi for a virtual Zoom presentation on Tuesday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m., to share her family’s travel experiences through the Middle East with the help of stories and pictures. Fogarasi and her family lived overseas for many years and traveled...
Qahwah House and its authentic Yemeni coffee connect people over the shared love of coffee
September 9th, 20220 DEARBORN — Qahwah House, the famous Yemeni coffee shop located in Dearborn, has plans to expand to other states and has a mission to bring people together through its authentic coffee. Qahwah House owner Ibrahim Alhasbani shared his goals for the coffee shop’s future and why he was inspired to bring this coffee business to...
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...
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......
Arab American artist Rana Lotfi expresses herself and her story through her passion for art
August 12th, 20220 BIRMINGHAM - Rana Lotfi, an Arab American artist, pursues art as a means of therapy and expression. Lotfi immigrated to the United States from Syria in 2002 after obtaining her bachelor's degree in fine art from Damascus University in Damascus, Syria. Lotfi told The Arab American News that her passion for painting began at...
Homecoming Festival returns strong after two years with a few changes, including a new location, and a mayor’s golf cart “chronicles”
August 10th, 20220 DEARBORN — This past weekend the 41st Homecoming Festival, an annual Dearborn tradition going back to the 80s, returned after a two-year hiatus. On his Facebook livestream this week, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud expressed his desire to see the festival return. “Given the pandemic, given the catastrophic flooding last year, I thought...
Arab Americans’ history in Indianapolis told in documentary
June 20th, 20220 A local professor spent the last few years documenting the history of Arab Americans in Indianapolis. WFYI’s Taylor Bennett spoke with Edward Curtis, chair of Liberal Arts and professor of religious studies in the School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, about the project — Arab Indianapolis: A Hidden History — and why it was...
National Arab Orchestra returns to Ann Arbor, featuring renowned singer Abeer Nehme in first Michigan appearance
March 8th, 20220 ANN ARBOR — The National Arab Orchestra (NAO) will be returning to Ann Arbor this year, featuring the renowned singer Abeer Nehme's first appearance in Michigan and the University Musical Society (UMS) Choral Union, Saturday March 19 at the Hill Auditorium. Organized by the UMS, this year’s program promises to take audiences on a......
Local authors pen book about Dearborn Heights serial killer
March 6th, 20220 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Local authors B. R. Bates and Dr. Gerald Cliff have released a book about a prolific serial killer who used to live in Dearborn Heights. On Jan. 2, 2000, Dearborn Heights police were called to the Rouge River after John Eric Armstrong claimed he had felt nauseated and attempted to vomit in the river when he...
Artist who worked on the Islamic Center of America returns to Dearborn to continue his artwork
February 26th, 20220 DEARBORN — The Lebanese artist of Armenian origin behind the painting of more than a dozen mosques and churches globally has returned to Dearborn to continue to share his work. Born in 1973, Haroutioun “Harout” Isack Bastajian has always had a passion for art. “I spent a lot of time in my childhood in the remote......
Mayor Hammoud to join the Dearborn Symphony as narrator for Peter and the Wolf
February 23rd, 20220 DEARBORN — Mayor Abdullah Hammoud will be joining the Dearborn Symphony as he narrates an event called "Mozart Meets Peter and the Wolf." Hammoud will be added to the list of historic narrators of this piece, including Viola Davis, Alice Cooper and Boris Karloff. During his narration, Hammoud will be responsible for placing...
Our immigrant nation is a big tent for everyone
February 9th, 20220 By Joseph Richard Preville On August 4, 1963, The New York Times Magazine published President Kennedy’s majestic essay, “A Nation of Immigrants.” Rejecting geographically narrow and restrictive immigration quotas based on national origin for the U.S., Kennedy urged reform and the adoption of a new immigration policy that would......
