Tlaib and Dingell introduce resolution recognizing Arab American Heritage Month
April 8th, 20231 DETROIT — U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) introduced a resolution honoring Arab American Heritage Month, a month-long celebration held in April to recognize the incredible contributions Arab Americans have made in the United States. “It is always an honor to introduce a resolution...
Gov. Whitmer signs proclamations marking April 2023 as Arab American Heritage and Chaldean American Month
April 8th, 20231 LANSING – On Saturday, April 1, Governor Whitmer signed proclamations marking April 2023 as Arab American Heritage and Chaldean American Month to celebrate the culture, heritage and contributions of Arab Americans and Chaldean Americans to the state. "Arab and Chaldean Americans are a part of Michigan’s proud, diverse history...
Chicago-based organization launches campaign to educate the community about Ramadan
April 8th, 20230 CHICAGO — GainPeace, in partnership with the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) and the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) proudly announces the launch of a four-week joint campaign aimed at educating the broader community about the significance of Ramadan and promoting humanitarian...
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...
Local Muslim physician sues Corewell Health for alleged religious discrimination
March 31st, 20230 Dr. Samer Ilayan, a former Corewell Health physician, is suing the healthcare group for alleged religious-based discrimination. The bombshell lawsuit was filed this week and it claims that one of Corewell Health's clinics in Taylor violated the former employee's civil rights among other serious allegations. Ilayan started his...
Wayne County commissioners recognize the holy month of Ramadan
March 25th, 20230 DETROIT – On March 16, Wayne County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution by Commissioners Sam Baydoun (D-Dearborn) and Al Haidous (D-Wayne) recognizing Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, which this year begins March 23 and lasts to April 20. “I wish for my brothers and sisters during this holy time to be safe and for...
Prosecutor: No charges against officer in fatal shooting of Ali Naji at the Dearborn police station
March 24th, 20233 DEARBORN – The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced that no charges will be issued in the fatal shooting of Ali Naji at the Dearborn police station in December. A statement issued by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said the facts and evidence from the incident show that the officer acted in self-defense. In addition to no...
Newest and largest Papaya Fruit Market location opens in Canton
March 24th, 20230 CANTON — Khalil Saad, owner of the Papaya supermarkets, has opened a fifth location in Canton. Saad immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 1998. He told The Arab American News the first Papaya store he opened on Warren Ave. on the Dearborn/Detroit border was originally a small shop. He shared the story of how he was...
Dearborn Heights Councilman Mo Baydoun hosts second annual Iftar dinner with the Dearborn Heights Fire Department
March 21st, 20230 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Dearborn Heights Councilman Mo Baydoun is hosting the second annual Iftar dinner with the Dearborn Heights Fire Department on the first day of Ramadan this Thursday, March 23. The Dearborn Heights Fire Department is planning to fast from all food and liquids on the first day of Ramadan to stand with and embrace...
UIC report examines experiences, racial justice for Chicagoland’s Arab Americans
March 12th, 20230 According to U.S. Census data, more than 100,000 Arab Americans reside in the Chicago metropolitan area, representing about 90 percent of all Arab Americans in Illinois. Many scholars and community leaders contend this is an undercount due to Arab Americans not having a racial category of their own on the Census. They note that this not...
Dingell, colleagues introduce legislation to make home care coverage mandatory under Medicaid
March 12th, 20230 WASHINGTON – On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D- Ann Arbor), Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (D-NY) introduced the HCBS Access Act to make HCBS a mandatory benefit within Medicaid and ensure eligible older adults and people with disabilities have the option to choose between home care and institutional...
Bill requiring Arab Americans be counted in state data progresses to Illinois House vote
March 11th, 20230 CHICAGO – On Wednesday, a bill that would ensure those who identify themselves as Middle Eastern or North African are counted in state data progressed in the Illinois House of Representatives. The legislation, House Bill 3768, passed the State Government Administration Committee. It will go to the House floor for a vote, and then...
Survey: 11 percent of Michiganders admit to illegal dumping
March 11th, 20230 Illegal dumping: We’ve all seen it, whether we’re strolling down the sidewalk or driving down the highway. The sight of abandoned furniture, old mattresses and washing machines just waiting to become someone else’s problem. But while we can all agree it’s a blight on our hometowns and green spaces, how many of us are actually...
Family of Ali Naji sues Dearborn Police Department and city for $10M
March 10th, 20235 DEARBORN — The family of a man who was killed after walking into the Dearborn Police Station and pointing a loaded gun at officers inside is suing the department for $10 million, alleging wrongful death and excessive force. Ali Naji, 33, was killed on Dec. 18 after he entered the lobby of the police station, pointed a gun at an...
Michigan Lottery announces $1.25 billion contribution to schools across the state
March 10th, 20230 LANSING – On Thursday, Governor Whitmer joined the Michigan Lottery to announce its $1.25 billion contribution to the School Aid Fund in fiscal year 2022. This marks the Lottery’s fourth consecutive contribution of more than $1 billion to Michigan’s schools. “The Michigan Lottery’s contributions to our schools over......
The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund grants more than $114 million in its first year
March 4th, 20230 LANSING — The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF), administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), has delivered more than $114 million in relief to 15,688 homeowners in its first year. The MIHAF launched in February 2022 to support Michigan homeowners experiencing financial hardships related to the...
Man caught on camera vandalizing Philadelphia mosque
March 4th, 20230 PHILADELPHIA - The man believed to be responsible for vandalizing a mosque in East Mount Airy over the weekend has been arrested and charged, according to the District Attorney's Office. Police launched an investigation after a man was caught on camera vandalizing the Masjidullah mosque on Limekiln Pike around midnight Saturday, the......
James Abourezk, first Arab American U.S. senator and founder of the ADC, dies at 92
March 3rd, 20230 James Abourezk, a South Dakota Democrat who grew up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, became the first Arab American U.S. senator and was known for his quick wit as he advocated for populist causes, died Friday. He was 92. Abourezk died at his home in Sioux Falls on his birthday after entering hospice care earlier this...
Father and son charged for kidnapping, attempting to force daughter/sister to marry in Yemen
February 27th, 20230 BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced on Feb. 16 that Khaled Abughanem, 50, and Waleed Abughanem, 32, both of Lackawanna, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to kidnap persons in a foreign country. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles...
Dearborn Public Schools will host its second annual spelling bee in March
February 27th, 20230 DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Schools will host its second annual spelling bee on March 1 and 2 at Fordson High School. The top elementary and middle school spellers within the district will join together in a fierce and friendly spelling face off. The middle school students will compete on March 1 at their designated grade times....
Former U.S. Senator James Abourezk, founder of the ADC, enters hospice care
February 24th, 20230 James Abourezk, who served as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, representing South Dakota, is entering hospice care, according to a release from the family. The family said Abourezk, who will turn 92 on Friday, was released from a Sioux Falls hospital and will enter the care of a hospice team, along with......
Oak Lawn, IL police officer facing criminal charges after punching Arab American teen during arrest
February 24th, 20231 OAK LAWN, IL — A police officer is facing criminal charges following a video that surfaced showing him and several other police officers punching a 17-year-old boy while trying to arrest him. The arrest took place last summer. According to reports, officer Patrick O'Donnell was indicted by a grand jury in Cook County on Tuesday. He...
Arab American teen charged with stabbing his father to death at convenience store in Indiana, then going to school
February 24th, 20230 FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Ahmed Al-Malahi, 16, was arrested in Indiana and charged for the Feb. 7 murder of his father, Tawfika Al-Malahi. The Al-Malachi family moved recently from Dearborn to Indiana to open a store in Fort Wayne. The Coroner’s Office in Allen County, Indiana confirmed that Fort Wayne Police found Tawfika......
Three Ramadan Nights activities to attract thousands of visitors to Dearborn
February 24th, 20230 DEARBORN – After the great turnout for the “Suhoor Festival” in Dearborn last year, the capital of the Arab American community is expected to witness a variety of activities in different places during the coming month of Ramadan nights. Ramadan Nights The city of Dearborn announced that it will be facilitating “Ramadan...
Gov. Whitmer appoints Angela Khater to Michigan Board of Behavior Analysts
February 24th, 20230 LANSING – Gov. Whitmer appointed Angela Khater, of Dearborn, to the Michigan Board of Behavior Analysts. Khater is a licensed behavior analyst and clinical director for autism services for IOA Behavioral Health. She received her Bachelor of Arts in marketing from Davenport University and her Master of Arts in behavior analysis......
