Poetry Corner: Four messages to Beirut
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Syrian poetNizar Qabbani.In this poem, Qabbani addresses war-torn Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War. A decade and a half after Qabbani's death, in 2008, the...Poetry Corner: The violins
The violins, a poem by Palestinian Poet Mahmoud Darwish, was turned into a song by Lebanese Musician Marcel Khalife last year. Khalife and Darwish had a long musical- lyrical partnership that continued after the latter's death in 2008.The violinsThe violins cry with the gypsies going to AndalusiaThe violins cry over the Arabs leaving...Arab American director’s film hits theaters
"Approaching Midnight," a movie, directed by Arab American filmmaker Sam Logan Khaleghi, will premiere at Emagine Theater in Royal Oak, on Friday, Aug. 30.Khaleghi is a Detroit native. He is the producer of the Emmy-nominated show "Prison Boat." He graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and is a director, actor, writer and...Poetry corner: The conversation of waves
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by Syrian poet, journalist and playwright Muhammad al-Maghut.The conversation of wavesI do not want to be filthy, or sterile.Each case has its consequences.In villages, parents...Poetry Corner: A ready scenario
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. A Ready Scenario was published after Darwish's death, in his last book I Do not Want for this Poem to End.A ready...Poetry Corner: Where do I go?
Nizar.As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani (1923- 1998).Where do I go?I no longer know... Where do I go.Everyday... I feel closerEveryday... your face becomes a partof my...Poetry Corner: I do not know the stranger
Mahmoud DarwishAs a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. I do not know the strangerI do not know the stranger, nor his accomplishments...I saw a funeral, so I...Poetry Corner: The Tattoo
Muhammad Maghout was a poet, playwright and essayist, who spent a lifetime advocating for political freedom in an Arab World run by totalitarian regimes. He was born in Salamiya, a town near Hama in Syria, in 1934. He entered the literary realm after linking up with fellow Syrian poet Adonis in Beirut in the late 1950's. His...Poetry Corner: Her/Him
Darwish As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English...Lebanese Canadian singer dicusses his heritage and rise to fame
Karl Wolf performs at the LAHC reception.DEARBORN — Last week, Lebanese Canadian singer Karl Wolf, 34, paid a visit to Dearborn, where he performed at Byblos Banquet Hall, during a ceremony, sponsored by the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC). Karl, whose birth name is Carl Abou Samah, has been active in the music scene since...Poetry Corner: The stairwell
Nazik Al-Malaika is, not only the most celebrated female Arab poet of the past century, but also one of the pioneers of modern Arabic poetry. She was among the first poets, in the history of Arabic literature, to use free verse. She was born into a literary family in Baghdad in 1923, and she received a master's degree in comparative...‘Arab Idol’ Mohammed Assaf renews hopes for Palestinians, Arab World
A few months ago over dinner, my mother enthusiastically said, "a Palestinian singer from Gaza made Arab Idol’s second season!""His name is Mohammed Assaf," she told me, adding that he is reminiscent of the iconic, late Egyptian singer, Abdel Halim Hafiz.My mother continued. I remained silent. For one second, I wanted to laugh, but I...Poetry Corner: White Tears
Ahmad Matar.Ahmad Matar uses poetry as a tool to combat tyranny and to criticize flaws in Arab society. The poet was born in the village of Tammouna, near Basra, in south Iraq, in 1954. In his mid-20's, he moved to Kuwait to work as a literary editor at Al-Qabas Newspaper. Soon enough, Matar's blunt poetic attacks on Arab rulers made...Darine Hamze: A cosmopolitan Lebanese star
DEARBORN - Darine Hamze prefers to direct her acting skills toward diverse and daring roles. She rose to stardom and was recognized as a multi-talented artist within a short period of time.Her roles range from Batoul, a conservative, resistant girl in an Israeli-occupied south Lebanon in the television series Al-Ghaliboon (the victors),...‘Betroit’ director shares insights on Arab cinema and new film
Adel Serhan.Adel Serhan is a prominent Lebanese director. Throughout his 20-year career, he has directed dozens of music videos and commercials and worked with some of the Middle East's most acclaimed artists. In recent years, he has pursued his passion for cinema. His first movie, Khillet Warde, was featured in several film......
Poetry Corner: She will not come
Darwish.As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.She will not comeTranslated by Ali HarbShe has not come. I said: And she will not... SoI will rearrange the evening...Poetry Corner: If the sea aged
AdonisAdonis is widely considered the greatest living Arab poet. He was born in Al-Qassabin, a small town in northeast Syria, in 1930. A lifetime supporter of democracy and secularism in the Middle East, he was imprisoned in Syria for his political beliefs in the mid-1950s. He left his home country of Syria for Lebanon and spent......
Oscar-nominated films depict Israel as an apartheid state
Award season is in full swing in Los Angeles, and, for the first time in the history of the Academy Awards, two films about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are in competition for best documentary feature. For those of us invested in a just resolution to the conflict, a closer reading of these films can help decipher the meaning of this...Distracted drivers found to be more deadly than drunk drivers
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Crash attorney and distracted driving expert Douglas R. Horn says his law firm is seeing an increasing number of serious injuries and deaths resulting from violent, high-impact collisions caused by distracted drivers. Horn says high-impact collisions are on the rise because more drivers than ever before are...DC Comics’ Geoff Johns discusses new Arab American “Green Lantern” during visit to Dearborn
DEARBORN — Last week Geoff Johns, comic book writer and Chief Creative Officer of DC Comics returned to his home state of Michigan where he made some public appearances in Dearborn coming off DC Comics' announcement earlier this month that the comic book company's superhero "The Green Lantern" would be re-incarnated as an Arab American...Local Arab woman makes festive dolls for underserved children as Christmas gifts
Dolls Lebanese American Sue Hammoud made for underserved children. She gives them away as gifts to little girls during Christmas. PHOTO: Courtesy of Hammoud familyDEARBORN - When Sue Hammoud makes dolls for underprivileged children, she tries to imagine the facial expressions of little girls when they're opening up the gifts,......
Arab American’s film makes its way to Toronto International Film Festival
Arab American film director and writer Rola Nashef's new film, Detroit Unleaded, is expected to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this September. Detroit Unleaded chronicles the life of Arab American gas station owners in metropolitan Detroit, the dangerous work environments they are placed in, and the daily...Local bakeries attract major crowds during suhoor hours
DEARBORN — Some might find it unusual for customers to be lined up at a local bakery at 2:00 a.m. on a weekday morning, but local Muslim residents would find this to be quite the norm during the holy month of Ramadan, as dining out for suhoor has become a common practice in Dearborn and its surrounding cities. We decided to pay......
Arab American author’s book receives positive response from its readers
Zainab: Voice of Truth is the story of a young woman's journey to a land in which the holy ways of the Sinless Ones, Ahlu Bayt, can be followed without fear of persecution. Its author, Wadad Chami-Jomaa, first introduces the readers to Zainab as a young girl having a conversation with her father which doesn’t make much sense to...Henry Ford Museum shines as a Dearborn community treasure
The bus on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat (above) is now displayed at the Henry Ford Museum.DEARBORN — The Henry Ford Museum has been a staple in Dearborn's community since it opened its doors in 1929. The facility shares its space with Greenfield Village and is the hotspot for tourists, local residents and......