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...
LARA and state fire marshal offer fire safety tips ahead of Memorial Day
May 24th, 20230 State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is encouraging Michiganders to be safe as they gather with family and friends during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. “Before firing up the grill, we want you to be safe and follow a few simple safety precautions to avoid serious injuries and fires,” Sehlmeyer said. “Six out of seven grill fires...
100 Arab American Women Who Care celebrate 10th anniversary, donate $10,000 to local organization
May 19th, 20230 NOVI — On Saturday, May 13, the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) held the 10th annual 100 Arab American Women Who Care event at Land Rover Novi. The CAAP is a national institution of ACCESS, a national Arab American community foundation. Roughly 110 women gathered to celebrate and honor their continued philanthropy work....
Hundreds demonstrate in Dearborn in solidarity with the Palestinian people
May 19th, 20231 DEARBORN — Hundreds of demonstrators commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Nakba of Palestine, calling for freedom and justice for the Palestinian people and stopping the U.S. support for Israel, as well as condemning the recent Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people in Gaza. The demonstrators, who carried out a sit-in protest...
Annapolis High School principal reinstated, superintendent placed on leave pending investigation
May 18th, 20230 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Two weeks after unexpectedly being placed on leave for reasons not released to the public, Annapolis High School Principal Aaron Mollett has been reinstated. Mollett had been placed on administrative paid leave “pending investigation” two weeks ago by D7 Superintendent Dr. Tyrone Weeks with no explanation to...
Dearborn ranked among best cities in the country to work from home
May 16th, 20230 NEW YORK – Dearborn is the 10th best city in America to use Zoom to work from home, according to a recent study conducted by SmartAsset, a financial technology company headquartered in New York. The study accounted for housing costs and cost of living in ranking various “Zoom towns”, which had many remote workers moving in from...
Student charged with making threat against his high school in Dearborn
May 16th, 20230 DEARBORN — A student accused of making a threat against Fordson High School in Dearborn has been charged as a juvenile with making an intentional threat to commit an act of violence against a school, school employees or students, said the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in a statement Thursday, May 11. The suspect, whose name...
F.L.I.P. holds second annual scholarship dinner, distributes $102,000 to 27 seniors
May 15th, 20230 In partnership with Huntington Bank and with support from the Dearborn Cardiology Medical Center, the Future Leaders in Progress (F.L.I.P.) Scholarship program held its second annual dinner, in the presence of students, faculty, community leaders and officials, on Thursday evening at Byblos Banquet Center in Dearborn. In addition to...
San Diego attorney general promises Arabs and Muslims to fight rising hate crime
May 6th, 20230 On Thursday, San Diego Attorney General Rob Bonta told members of San Diego’s Arab and Muslim community that he is working to increase the inclusion of immigrants in California while simultaneously fighting rising hate crime. “We know there has been an increase in hate crimes and Islamophobia,” he said, promising to fight it as...
Islamophobic incident at Wayne State University leaves Muslim students feeling unsafe
May 6th, 20230 DETROIT — Muslim students at Wayne State University now fear for their safety after an incident on campus. A religious group was seen on Wayne State's campus on April 19, holding anti-Islamic signs, making Islamophobic remarks and even stomping on the Quran at one point. A religious group threw Islam's holy book — the Quran —...
U.S. appeals court upholds dismissal of lawsuit linking American Palestinian group to “terrorism”
May 6th, 20230 WASHINGTON D.C. – On May 2, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit charging that a Palestinian rights organization had provided “material support” for terrorism by engaging in advocacy. Brought by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and several U.S. citizens who live in Israel, the suit targeted First...
Muslim New Jersey mayor blocked from attending Eid al-Fitr celebration at the White House
May 6th, 20230 WASHINGTON D.C. — A Muslim mayor in New Jersey was blocked from attending a belated Eid al-Fitr celebration hosted by President Biden. The White House held an Eid al-Fitr event to celebrate the end of the Muslim holly month of Ramadan on Monday, May 1, where President Biden addressed the invited guests. The mayor of Prospect...
Veteran Arab American activist Jalil Gerges Saad dies at 85
May 6th, 20230 LIVONIA — Veteran Arab American activist Jalil Gerges Saad, known in the Arab American community in the Detroit region as George Saad, passed away last Monday. He was 85. A funeral will be held for his comfort in St. Mary's Church in Livonia on Friday, before his burial services in the city on Saturday, May 6. Saad is considered one...
New Jersey designates January as Muslim Heritage Month
May 6th, 20230 New Jersey Muslim community and faith leaders have hailed the governor’s decision to designate January as “Muslim Heritage Month” after years of rallying for the decision. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a proclamation Saturday in a measure that will bring more awareness to the Muslim communities in the state, North Jersey...
F.L.I.P. Scholarships provide $100,000 to graduates of Dearborn and Crestwood high schools
May 6th, 20230 DEARBORN – The Arab American News is completing preparations for holding the second annual gala to distribute scholarships to high school graduates bound for college out of the Dearborn and Crestwood School Districts, as part of the Future Leaders in Progress (F.L.I.P.) scholarship program launched last year in partnership with......
Resilient Neighborhoods: New Southwest Detroit mixed use development prioritizes affordability
May 1st, 20230 By David Sands Claudia Enriquez says it's becoming increasingly difficult for younger people to find affordable housing in Southwest Detroit, where she lives. "Right now in Detroit, rent is so high. There's a lot of students that want to live here and they want to live by themselves," she said. To help remedy this situation,...
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud hosts first Eid al-Fitr breakfast in the city
May 1st, 20230 DEARBORN — Mayor Abdullah Hammoud hosted the first Eid al-Fitr breakfast for community members celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The breakfast took place at the Ford Performing and Community Arts Center in Dearborn on Saturday, April 22 and roughly 1,000 people attended. The brunch was free and all of the food......
U.S. Reps. Tlaib and Dingell lead Congressional effort on adding MENA category to Census
May 1st, 20230 WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 27, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) led 20 of their colleagues in a joint congressional public comment letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to end the systemic erasure of the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) community. The...
Minneapolis authorities investigating two mosque fires on consecutive days
May 1st, 20230 Emergency crews responded to fires at two mosques in south Minneapolis over two consecutive days and authorities are asking for help identifying a man believed to be involved in one of the fires. According to the Minneapolis Fire Department, the first fire happened Sunday evening at the Masjid Omar Islamic Center inside the 24 Somali...
Nasser Beydoun announces candidacy for U.S. Senate
April 26th, 20230 DETROIT — Dearborn businessman and Civil Rights Advocate Nasser Beydoun has announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate to fill the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Beydoun is the third Democrat to formally file for the race, following U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Lansing and attorney Zack Burns of Ann...
Family of 10-year-old boy sues after Camp Dearborn drowning last summer
April 22nd, 20230 DEARBORN — The family of 10-year-old Carson Dunn, who died after falling off of a water playscape at Camp Dearborn last summer, is suing. The lawsuit was filed by attorney Ven Johnson on behalf of Dunn’s family. On July 6, 2022, Dunn went to Camp Dearborn, which is owned by the city of Dearborn, and was on the Ripping the......
Annapolis High School Arab Student Union hosts Iftar dinner
April 22nd, 20230 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Just one year after its formation, the Annapolis High School Arab Student Union (ASU) hosted its first Iftar dinner. The dinner brought community members and students from the Dearborn Heights D7 School District together on April 18 and included dates, chicken, rice pilaf, salad, fruit and more. Annapolis...
Bill Saad elected to lead Michigan petroleum and convenience stores associations
April 21st, 20230 TRENTON – Bill Saad, founder and CEO of Michigan Fuels, has been elected chairman of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Petroleum Association/Michigan Association of Convenience Stores (MPA/MACS). Saad was elected by the MPA/MACS Board of Directors at their recent board meeting held during the MPA/MACS Annual Michigan Show, a......
Dearborn, Hamtramck are the first U.S. cities to make the Eid a paid holiday
April 21st, 20231 Dearborn is making history as Mayor Abdullah Hammoud has made the Islamic holiday of Eid a paid holiday for the city's employees. The Eid marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims all over the world celebrate the Eid with their loved ones, commemorating the completion of their month of prayer, fasting and...
Suspect arrested in stabbing of imam while praying at mosque in New Jersey
April 20th, 20230 PATERSON, NJ — An imam at a mosque in Paterson, New Jersey was stabbed while leading prayers. Around 5:30 a.m. last Sunday, Imam Sayed Elnakib was stabbed several times while praying at the Omar Mosque, according to reports. The alleged attacker, Serif Zorba, was restrained by the other individuals praying in the mosque. The......
