Arab American residents hard hit by Flint crisis
January 22nd, 20160 The Flint River. Photos: Hassan KhalifehFLINT — The water crisis has not spared anyone in the Vehicle City. On Thursday afternoon, Palestinian American activist Mona Sahouri walked over to the local offices of the United Way, a national charitable organization, to acquire four pallets of water for Arab American residents. The city...Flint man returns home after four years of captivity in Iran
FLINT — One of five Americans released from captivity in Iran reunited with his Michigan family members for the first time in 4 ½ years.Former Marine Amir Hekmati's release was part of an extraordinary weekend of diplomacy that saw the release of five Americans and the lifting of billions in international sanctions on...
Dearborn man’s disappearance leaves family puzzled
January 22nd, 20160 Sajjad Almayali's vehicle was found at Belle Isle. After an extensive search there was no leads to his disappearance. DEARBORN — It’s been more than two weeks since the disappearance of 24-year-old Sajjad Almayali, who was last seen on Tuesday, January 5, leaving his house at around 11 a.m., wearing a green jogging suit. When...
Muslim Americans lead charitable efforts in Flint
January 22nd, 20160 Muslim Americans from across Michigan donate water supplies to residents in Flint.DETROIT — During a time of crisis in Flint, the Muslim community in Michigan has placed all hands on deck to assist ailing residents exposed to toxic water. While it’s been just days since President Obama declared a state of emergency over the region,...Students, officials march to show “Real Dearborn”
DEARBORN — About 100 local high school students joined public officials in a march on Martin Luther King Day to dispel negative stereotypes about the city. "Unify, diversify," demonstrators chanted as they held signs while they walked in freezing weather down Michigan Avenue. Dubbed "Real Dearborn", the march was conceived and...
The Iraqi immigrant doctor who saved Flint
January 22nd, 20160 FLINT, Michigan — Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha an Iraqi immigrant, is being credited for blowing the whistle on the Flint water crisis.Her friend was a water expert who had worked for the Environmental Protection Agency when the District of Columbia encountered similar issues there more than a decade ago.When she told...Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs to meet January 28 in Dearborn
LANSING — The Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs (CMEAA) will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, January 28 from noon.-2 p.m., at the Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Avenue, in Dearborn. Commissioners will receive an update from the Refugee Strategy Working Group and they will review a proposed...
Dearborn man found dead in vehicle at Walgreens
January 21st, 20160 Ali Beydoun, 23, was found dead in his vehicle at the Walgreens in Dearborn. DEARBORN – The Dearborn Police Department has confirmed to The Arab American News that a man was found dead at the Walgreens on Warren Ave. and Schafer Rd. early in the morning on Thursday, Jan. 21.While the police department...Islamic House of Wisdom to hold Q&A forum
Islamic House of WisdomDEARBORN— People with questions about Islam can join Muslims and non-Muslims for an informal question and answer forum at the Islamic House of Wisdom (IHW) on Sunday morning.In response to recent attacks by extremists, the IHW is holding an open discussion so that people of all or no faith can better understand...
Twisted Lebanese politics bring little hope to citizens and expats
January 21st, 20160 The construction site of a new minaret of St. Georges church, near al Amin mosque, BeirutDEARBORN — Unlikely alliances are common in the ever-shifting Lebanese political landscape. But when Christian leader Samir Geagea endorsed his civil war enemy and political rival Michel Aoun to be president, it came as a shock to Lebanese...
Obama visits Detroit, but not Flint
January 21st, 20160 DETROIT – Despite speculation that President Obama would also include a trip to the crisis ridden city of Flint during his visit to Michigan, his stop ended at the Auto show in Detroit. Obama did send an official for his team to Flint while he was scheduled to appear at the Auto Show. Obama...Nearly all Detroit schools closed due to teachers’ sickout
DETROIT - Nearly all public schools in Detroit were closed on Wednesday as teachers called in sick to protest conditions, the school system and teachers' union said. It was the second time in as many weeks that teachers staged a protest. A sickout on Jan. 11 closed 64 schools. All but nine of the district's 97 schools were closed,...
Gov. Snyder apologizes for Flint water crisis
January 20th, 20160 Photo: APLANSING — Governor Rick Snyder, facing protests, lawsuits and calls for his resignation over drinking water contamination in Flint, apologized to the city's residents and called for the state to spend $28 million on fixes."To you, the people of Flint, I say tonight as I have before, I am sorry and I will fix it," Snyder said...
Dearborn Clerk Kathy Buda will retire
January 19th, 20160 BudaDEARBORN — City Clerk Kathy Buda, whose office was raided by the state police last month as a part of an embezzlement investigation, is retiring on Feb. 17.Buda has been clerk since 1997. In 2013, she was elected to serve her fifth four-year term.She said she made the decision because of the mounting stress of the job with the...
Abbie Bazzi announces run for Dearborn judge
January 15th, 20160 Bazzi.DEARBORN — Abbie Bazzi has announced a run for 19th District Court Judge. Bazzi, an attorney, will be vying for the open seat left by Judge William C. Hultgren, who ends his six year term at the end the year. The primary election is slated for Tuesday, August 2, while the general election will be held on Tuesday, November......
Reps introduce bill to amend Visa Waiver Program discriminatory restrictions
Dingell.WASHINGTON — A group of congress members, including three from Michigan, introduced a bill Wednesday to remove discriminatory limitations that would exclude certain dual nationals from the Visa Waiver Program. U.S. representatives Justin Amash (R-Mich.), John Conyers (D-Mich.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), and Thomas Massie...“Grand Bargain” saved DIA’s treasures to the relief of staff, volunteers, citizens
DIA main entrance - Photo by DIADETROIT — It started with a doodle on the back of a legal pad. Chief Judge Gerald Rosen of the U.S. District Court for Eastern Michigan had been appointed the chief federal mediator to oversee Detroit’s bankruptcy proceedings. Soon after Detroit declared bankruptcy on July 18, 2013, the......
Homeland Security chief visits Dearborn, discusses responses to terrorism
January 15th, 20160 Jeh Johnson speaks at U of M-DearbornDEARBORN—Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson visited Dearborn Wednesday in an effort to form partnerships with the Arab American community and assure residents of tighter security measures against terrorism.Johnson stressed that fighting terrorism is the Department of Homeland Security’s...
Chaldean-Arab coalition group stalls
January 15th, 20160 Muslim and Chaldean leaders meet at The Arab American News last October.DEARBORN — Relations between the Chaldean and Arab communities reached a boiling point in September after Christian Iraqis vigorously protested the proposed building of a mosque in Sterling Heights, which is home to one of the largest Iraqi Christian immigrant...
Chaldean bishop’s stance favoring Christian refugees sparks response
January 15th, 20160 Bishop Francis Kalabat. DETROIT — Last month, Bishop Francis Kalabat, the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church for Michigan, testified in front of a U.S. House subcommittee, where he panned the Obama administration for ignoring the suffering of Christian refugees displaced by war in Syria and Iraq, proclaiming that the U.S. should...Detroit group grows frustrated with Dearborn Police Department
DEARBORN — Frustrations against the Dearborn Police Department are growing, as questions remain unanswered in the death of Kevin Matthew, a 35-year-old Black male killed by a police officer last month. The officer’s name has still not been made public. The case is currently being investigated by the Detroit Police Department and is......
Khaled Beydoun exemplifies academic activism
January 15th, 20160 Khaled BeydounDEARBORN — From exposing the mistreatment of domestic workers in Lebanon, to addressing racism within the Arab American communities, to combating Islamophobia in the media, Khaled Beydoun exemplifies academic activism. Beydoun, a law professor and critical race theory scholar, said politicians' xenophobic statements are...
Senator Peters applauds Obama for inclusion
January 14th, 20160 "Being from Michigan, I feel particularly proud about our very vibrant Arab American community." -Sen. Gary PetersDEARBORN — Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) praised President Obama's final State of the Union Address, applauding the commander in chief for explicitly condemning anti-Muslim rhetoric."I was pleased that he made very strong......
Detroit Pistons honor Arab American veteran
Retired Marine Sam Farran.Auburn Hills - At the Detroit Pistons game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Tuesday, January 12, Dearborn Heights resident and retired Arab American U.S. Marine Sam Farran was honored for his prolific history in the military.Farran, 54, garnered international media attention...
Police to watch live video feed from Detroit gas stations
January 12th, 20160 Mayor Duggan, surrounded by city officials and community activists, at a press conference announcing Project Green Light, Jan. 11 DETROIT — Violent crime has been a massive obstacle in the recovery of Detroit's neighborhoods. A disproportionate number of gas stations is turning into scenes for robberies and murder, so police are......