“I really, really like Detroit:” Nicholas Mukhtar, catalyst for change
For the last several years, Detroit has been the focal point of the Great Recession. Events, such as the government bailout of GM and Chrysler, the abandoned buildings, the tourism industry and the City’s declaration of bankruptcy have all received media attention. Despite this fact, bright hopefuls still aim to make...AMECC offers free services at health fair
OAK PARK — On Oct. 20, the American Middle East Christian Congress (AMECC), in collaboration with the Middle East Council of Churches and organizations, hosted a successful health fair, including physicians, pharmacists, attorneys, organizations and representatives from government and U.S. Congressional offices, who offered free...Youth gather for Arab Student Night
DEARBORN — More than 100 young Arab Americans gathered at the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC) on Friday, Oct. 11 to celebrate unity, promote teamwork and build new friendships. The event included students from the Arab Student Union, Lebanese Student Association and LAHC Youth Leadership Committee (YLC). The groups have...Gov. Rick Snyder’s controversial NERD Fund to close
MICHIGAN — Gov. Rick Snyder announced Monday that he plans to shut down the controversial NERD Fund that has drawn sharp criticism for not disclosing the names of its donors.Snyder said the New Energy to Reinvent and Diversify Fund complied with all laws, but has become a distraction.Snyder says he wants to move forward with a fund...Palestinian woman faces immigration charges for 1969 bombing in Israel
DETROIT — A Palestinian activist from the West Bank was charged Tuesday, Oct. 22, with failing to report her conviction for a terrorist bombing when she became a U.S. citizen.Rasmieh Yousef Odeh, 66, was arrested in the Chicago area, according to Barbara McQuade, the U.S. Attorney in Detroit. If she is convicted, she will lose her U.S....Jury finds Dearborn Heights woman not guilty of assault with intent to murder
DETROIT — An incident that shook the local community in April 2012 has resurfaced this month, as Dearborn Heights woman Natalie Hassan completed trial at the Wayne County Circuit Court for an alleged assault with a vehicle that left another Dearborn Heights woman, Hanan Achkar, in critical condition last year.Hassan, 25, has been out...Beaumont Hospital to give away Grosse Pointe house
GROSSE POINTE — Beaumont Hospital is giving away a free historic house here and even offering $150,000 to have the house moved to another location. In 2011, the company purchased the farmhouse, located on 16939 E. Jefferson, in addition to properties that neighbor it.But now the company wants to clear the space to build an employee...Michigan courts can treat a religious marriage contract as a prenuptial agreement
It is clear that Michigan only recognizes marriages that follow the proper legal formalities. Michigan does not give any legal recognition to a religious marriage. A relationship that does not meet the statutory requirements for a legal marriage does not give rise to property rights, personal rights, or rights to support....Fractured opposition could derail Syria talks
WASHINGTON - Despite U.S. and Western pressure on the opposition to take part in U.N.-sponsored talks aimed at halting the two-and-a-half-year-old Syrian civil war, most experts here believe the rebels are unlikely to show up any time soon. And even if they do, the results will be unlikely to change much of anything on the ground.The...Encouraging Iran’s readiness for peace making
If one day Iran succeeds in establishing normal relations with the Western world, it would create a sea change for the entire Middle East.On October 15 and 16, Iran resumed negotiations in Geneva with the permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany. Iranians appear keen on “closing an unnecessary crisis and opening...
Jesse Jackson urges Arab Americans to fight injustice at ACRL Gala
October 18th, 20130 LIVONIA — Civil Rights Champion Reverend Jesse Jackson urged Arab Americans to fight injustice and stand up for their rights in the face of racism at the Arab American Civil Rights League’s (ACRL) second annual “Fight for Justice” Gala on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The event, which was emceed by Channel 7/WXYZ Reporter Nima Shaffe,...Saudi students in U.S. defy stereotypes
Detroit — Despite the negative stereotypes surrounding Saudi Arabians, many Saudis in the United States are university students. Saudi presence on American campuses has grown significantly over the past seven years. Saudis amount to 4.5 percent of international students in the country.In universities throughout Michigan, Saudis rank...Legal corner: Verbal agreements are almost always enforceable
It is generally good advice to reduce agreements to writing. For obvious reasons, a well-written, thorough agreement between contracting parties usually prevents or resolves many disputes arising out of the subsequent relationship between the parties. First and foremost, relying on the memories of the parties to determine the...Edsel Ford hires reading literacy coach in wake of “priority school” ranking
DEARBORN - During a meeting on October 14, the Dearborn Public School Board approved the appointment of a "reading literacy coach" at Edsel Ford High School, less than three months after the school was ranked one of the worst in the State by the Michigan Department of Education.The appointment of Gretchen Bajorek will aim to provide...YABA distributes scholarships, honors activists at 44th Annual Dinner
DEARBORN - The Yemeni American Benevolent Association (YABA) held a ceremony, celebrating its 44th anniversary on Saturday Oct. 12. Numerous community leaders and elected officials were in attendance. A host of speakers, including U.S. Congressman Gary Peters, Henry Ford Community College President Stan Jensen and Judge Sam Salamey took......
Federal judge may rule on legality of Michigan’s gay marriage ban
DETROIT — April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, a lesbian couple from suburban Detroit, are challenging a state ban that Michigan voters placed in their constitution nine years ago, regarding same-sex marriage, in federal court this month. The law also prevents single people from jointly adopting children in Michigan.DeBoer has...Poetry Corner: Nostalgia to Forgetfulness.
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.Nostalgia to Forgetfulness.Darkness. I fell on the bed, touched by a question:Where am I? I looked for my body, so I felt......
State, City and creditors squabble at hearings over Detroit bankruptcy eligibility
DETROIT — Lawyers for retiree groups and unions argued before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes this week that the U.S. Constitution and the Michigan Constitution should block the filing of Detroit's Bankruptcy.One of the most problematic issues with the bankruptcy comes down to creditors arguing that the State has no right to...Chaldean American appointed to state transportation commission
LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Ron Boji, of Orchard Lake, to the state Transportation Commission. Boji is Chaldean.The six-member commission is the policy-making body for all state transportation programs.“Ron has enjoyed a distinguished career and I look forward to his contributions to this important...“Daddy Long Legs” sculpture is October feature in Dearborn’s “Art in Public Places” exhibit
DEARBORN — Twelve sculptures have been placed throughout Dearborn, as part of the community’s 2013-2014 Art in Public Places - Midwest Sculpture Initiative (MSI).Funding for the project is provided by the Dearborn Community Fund (DCF) and the East and West Dearborn Downtown Development Authorities. Each month a different sculpture...
Local pilgrims assaulted by sectarian extremists at Hajj
October 18th, 20130 DEARBORN — Arab American pilgrims from the Metro Detroit area where attacked and assaulted, for what appears to be sectarian reasons, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, while performing the rituals of Hajj in Mina, Saudi Arabia.Mina is a town near Mecca, where pilgrims sleep in tents and stone three pillars, representing the devil, with seven......
Detroit City Council seeks to cut Belle Isle lease to 10 years
DETROIT— The Detroit City Council on Monday unanimously rejected a plan to lease the 985-acre Belle Isle Park to the State for 30 years, proposing a 10-year deal instead.The 30-year lease that Gov. Rick Snyder and Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr signed on Oct. 1 would make Belle Isle a state park, saving Detroit $6 million annually in...Kevin Clinton named State treasurer,Ann Flood to head DIFS
LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder, on Tuesday, announced the appointment of Kevin Clinton, currently the director of the State Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), as the new State treasurer. Clinton replaces Andy Dillon, who submitted his resignation last week.Dillon cited his recent divorce as the reason for his......
Rock Ventures purchases two additional properties in downtown Detroit
DETROIT — Rock Ventures and its real estate arm, Bedrock Real Estate Services, recently announced the purchase of two downtown properties – 1505 Woodward Avenue and 1265 Griswold Street -- adding 84,000 square feet to its growing real estate holdings. In nearly three years, Rock Ventures has acquired more than 40 properties,...Study reveals retention of international students can help fill Michigan’s 274,000 stem field jobs
DETROIT — According to a study, by 2018, Michigan will need to fill 274,000 STEM field jobs. The Global Talent Retention Initiative of Michigan, the nation’s first international student retention effort, targets some of the most important talent who can help to fill those jobs critical to the State’s success in the new......