Dearborn restaurant scammed out of $1,000
DEARBORN — The owner of Fuego Mexican Grill on Schaefer Road lost $1,000 to a swindler, who posed as a DTE Energy representative over the telephone on Thursday, June 27.The scammer called the restaurant in the middle of the establishment’s dinner rush, claiming that he works at DTE Energy. He told the owner, Sam Alvarado, that a work...Former Oakland University basketball player claims religious discrimination
MICHIGAN — Jenna Bachrouche, a Muslim American, says that she faced religious discrimination by Beckie Francis, the former head coach of Oakland University’s women’s basketball team, when she played for the team, from 2010-2012. Bachrouche, a native of Farmington Hills, says that during her time on the team, Francis tried to...Arab Americans join thousands in NAACP Freedom March
DETROIT — Arab American activists joined thousands for the walk down Woodward Avenue on Saturday, June 22 in Detroit, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a march that Martin Luther King, Jr. led in 1963, where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream Speech,” before it was delivered in Washington, D.C. “We have an...Mike Adray Memorial Golf Tournament raises more than $65,000 for scholarships
DEARBORN — Organizers of the 22nd Annual Mike Adray Memorial Golf Tournament recently announced that they raised over $65,000 in scholarship funding this past May at the Dearborn Country Club, making this year the Foundation’s largest fundraising event. Proceeds from the event are used to fund scholarships for deserving students...HFCC ranks as a top 100 associate degree producer for 2013
DEARBORN — Henry Ford Community College earned national recognition recently as one of the top 100 associate degree producers in 2013, according to the June 24, 2013 issue of Community College Week, a national publication. HFCC earned distinction in three specific categories: a rank of 26th in the Top 50 Associate Degree Producers...University of Michigan tests breakthrough weight loss pill
ANN ARBOR — The University of Michigan is testing what could be a revolutionary weight loss pill. The pill, which was originally created to treat canker sores, has been tested on mice and has left them much slimmer.The remarkable weight loss that was evidenced on the mice has led Dr. Elif Oral to experiment with the pill on overweight...Michigan Egyptians share conflicting views on crisis in homeland
MICHIGAN — The massive protests against Egyptian President Mohamad Morsi and his ultimate ousting by the army on Wednesday, July 3 have divided Egyptians, between those who support the overthrow of the president, and those who want him to stay in power until his term expires in 2016. The division has caused violent clashes between...Mid-East Festival returns to Flint, July 12-14
FLINT — The Mid-East Festival will return to the greater Flint area on Friday, July 12. The event will run on that day, from 11:30 a.m. to midnight; Saturday, July 13, from noon to midnight; and Sunday, July 14, from noon to 8 p.m. The event includes free admission and boasts authentic Lebanese fare that is prepared,...
A sit-down with Barbara McQuade
June 28th, 20130 DETROIT- As the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Barbara McQuade’s work often centers around issues that concern the region’s Arab and Muslim American communities. McQuade, who has maintained a close relationship with both communities over the years, sat down with The Arab American News recently at the U.S....
FBI aims to dispel misconceptions through its Citizen’s Academy Program
June 28th, 20130 DETROIT - Last Friday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) hosted a graduation ceremony at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn for 30 local business, civic and religious leaders, who participated in an eight-week seminar taught by agents who work for the Bureau's Detroit division.The Citizen’s Academy Program, established over twenty...City of Dearborn reminds residents to follow firework laws this Fourth of July
DEARBORN - As the Fourth of July approaches, the City of Dearborn is reminding its residents to be extremely cautious and follow local and state laws, when handling and discharging fireworks.In 2012, the State of Michigan removed the ban on the sale and use of many types of powerful or airborne fireworks, known as "consumer" fireworks....Local colleges increase tuition rates for upcoming school year
DEARBORN - While USA Today reports that tuition increases across the country are lower than usual this year, some of Michigan's prominent colleges and universities will see significant tuition spikes, nonetheless.This week, the University of Michigan-Dearborn announced that they will institute a 3.5 percent increase in tuition for the...Crestwood School District offers free preschool program
DEARBORN HEIGHTS - The Crestwood School District announced that it will offer a free preschool program this fall for four-year-old children who are at risk of educational failure.The District will be receiving funding for the pre-school from a state program called the Great Start Readiness Program. Children are qualified based on a...Scholarship to be presented in memory of late editor Kay Siblani
DETROIT - A scholarship will be presented in memory of Kay Siblani at this year’s 31st annual Metro Detroit Youth Day (MDYD) on July 17 at Belle Isle. Siblani served as the editor of The Arab American News, since its inception in 1984, until she lost her battle with cancer on Jan. 1, 2013. Before pursing a career in journalism,...Charity group to raise awareness on kidney disease with upcoming powder-puff tournament
DEARBORN - "Play for the Cure," a charity group that was started by Dearborn resident Shireen Hachem and her husband Bassel Hachem, has been spreading awareness and raising proceeds for medical charities since 2009, by gathering young women in the community and competing in an annual football tournament.The game, which will take place on......
Yogurtopia debuts first location in Dearborn
DEARBORN - When Yogurtopia opened its doors in early June on Michigan Avenue, it became the newest yogurt shop in town. However, what many local residents may not be aware of is that Yogurtopia is a franchise that was established in 2010 by Sam Abbass, a former Dearborn resident, in Scottsdale, Arizona.Having owned and operated...New study expected to improve marriage outcomes in American Muslim community
A study being conducted by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) will help address and improve marriage outcomes in the American Muslim community. The study is examining different models of marriage education and divorce prevention programs and will document the effectiveness of these models. Findings from......
Arab American entrepreneurs: Innovative or copycats?
DEARBORN — In the last few months, several new yogurt establishments have opened shop in the Dearborn-Dearborn Heights area, making it the hottest, and latest, business trend that local Arab American entrepreneurs seem to be wanting a piece of. However, whenever a new business trend emerges in the Arab American community, it seems...
Christian group returns to volunteer in Dearborn, despite cancellation of Arab Festival
June 21st, 20130 DEARBORN — While this past Father's Day weekend marked the first time, in 18 years, that the Arab International Festival was not held along Warren Avenue, it did not stop a Christian volunteer group that works to promote tolerance and understanding, from coming to town to continue a tradition of their own. In May, the American...Governor Snyder cuts visit to Israel short
Governor Rick Snyder visited Israel on an official trade mission from Saturday, June 15, to Thursday, June 20. The visit was supposed to last nine days, but was cut short, because the governor had to get back Michigan to push a bill to reform and expand Medicaid through the State Senate. The official stated purpose of the visit was...U.S. Census undercounting Arab Americans raises concerns
According to a recent report from the U.S. Census, 1.5 million Americans are of Arab decent, however that figure is in sharp contrast with another report from the Arab American Institute, an advocacy group based in Washington D.C., which states approximately 3.6 million Arab Americans live in the country. The figure from the U.S.......
Chase bank criticized by civil rights group for closing business bank account
JPMorgan Chase has come under fire by civil rights groups for abruptly closing a business account for an Arabic language business, without explanation.The Council on American-Islamic Relations-Michigan (CAIR-MI) is asking the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which is a division of the U.S. Department of Treasury, to investigate...Detroit emergency manager orders investigation on two employee benefit programs
Orr.DETROIT — Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr has signed and issued an order to open an investigation into the City’s two employee benefit programs. The investigation is being launched by the Inspector General and Auditor General into possible waste, abuse, fraud, and corruption possibly connected with the benefit......
LAHC-YLC continue efforts to feed Detroit’s needy
DETROIT — On Tuesday, the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC) and its Young Leaders Committee (YLC) visited the Prayertime Tabernacle C.O.G.C. Church in Detroit and provided food and nutritional supplies to hundreds of people in dire need. This effort was carried out in partnership with Walmart. Over the years, this program,...Three defendants plead guilty to brutal murder of local Arab American man
DEARBORN — Three of the four suspects involved in the case of a local Arab American man, who was brutally murdered at his home last summer, have pleaded guilty to the crime. On June 13, Kristan Kainnadenise Holmes pled guilty to one charge of second degree murder in the death of Hassen Jaber, 45. The counts of felony murder,......