CAIR-MI welcomes decision on center targeted by anti-Muslim campaign
SOUTHFIELD — The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) this week welcomed a decision of the Farmington School Board to grant approval for the sale of a closed school to be used as an Islamic educational and activity center, despite an anti-Muslim campaign to block...Rally held against racial profiling by Customs and Border Protection
DETROIT – Fifty community members rallied in southwest Detroit June 11 against racial profiling and harassment by agents of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Testimonies were given by Lidia Reyes, Director of the Latino Family Services agency, and Ramon Morales, a victim of profiling. "Border...ADC’s incomplete civil and human rights building receives foreclosure extension
DEARBORN — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Michigan has obtained a foreclosure extension on a civil and human rights center it built that was never completed. On June 5 the building was expected to go into foreclosure, but an extension was granted through July 15. Imad Hamad,...Bing warns of drastic changes if budget cut compromise isn’t made
DETROIT – Cuts in city bus services along with hundreds of police and firefighting jobs could be made because of the city council's proposed $50 million in cuts to the 2011-12 budget. Bing had vetoed the cuts earlier but the council overrode it. Bing told the Detroit Free Press that if the cuts...Man who cursed in private conversation removed from flight by Detroit Metro security
DETROIT — Robert Sayegh, a 37-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y. resident, was removed at the end of a Delta Airlines flight from Kansas City to Detroit Metro airport by security after a conversation with a fellow passenger was overheard by a flight attendant. Sayegh, a children's book author, said that he...Fakih to hand over crown to new Miss USA on Sunday
LAS VEGAS - Dearborn native and current Miss USA, Rima Fakih, is scheduled to transfer her crown to the next winner of the pageant after Sunday's event, which airs on June 19 on NBC at 9 p.m. Fakih has said she has learned a great deal from her experience in the spotlight while staying in...University of Michigan — Ann Arbor to ban smoking effective July 1
ANN ARBOR – A smoking ban beginning on July 1 will take effect across all University of Michigan-Ann Arbor property on campus. Smoking will still be allowed in cars or on public sidewalks, however. According to a Detroit Free Press report, tickets won't be issued, however. Disciplinary issues for...Dearborn officials remind residents to keep grass at 6 inches or less
DEARBORN – The city is reminding residents to cut their grass to six inches or less in accordance with its ordinances as summer approaches. Those in violation are given a notice reminding them to address the problem within a certain time period. If the city is forced to cut the grass, the owner...Metropolitan PHILIP, also known as Philip Saliba, celebrated his 80th birthday on June 10. He currently serves as the Metropolitan Archbishop Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America of New York and of all of North America. Philip Saliba grew up in Abou Mizan, a village in...
Jones march to festival cut short after scuffle, others rally at Warren and Appoline
June 18th, 20110 DEARBORN – A planned march from City Hall to the Arab International Festival by extremist Pastor Terry Jones was cut short today as Jones found himself in a scuffle with counter-protesters that resulted in six arrests. Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad reportedly said that five of the six were from outside the city. Jones and a...
Dearborn Mayor O’Reilly urges community to ignore Jones visit
June 14th, 20110 Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly released the following letter on Tuesday, June 14. The Arab International festival will run from June 17-19 in the city.Dear residents and friends of Dearborn, This weekend we will again be visited by persons who want to use our community for their own ends. This time their...Parents question narrative of “honor killing” in daughter’s death
The April 30 fatal shooting of 20-year-old Jessica Mokdad in Warren allegedly carried out by her stepfather has led to an outpouring of emotions and support for the Mokdad family as well as a murder charge against the man who raised her for much of her life. Jessica Mokdad was killed on April 30;...Why America is running on three flat tires
According to last month's employment numbers and housing prices across the country, it looks like the U.S. economy is hurting bad. The truth of the matter is that the picture is even grimmer than what is portrayed by these reports. The majority of Americans are starving, our interstate highway...
Landmark Ethnic and Minority Media Partnership announced in Mackinac
June 11th, 20110 MacKinac Island—Two southeast Michigan media organizations announced the launch of a new partnership that spotlights the contributions of the region's ethnic, minority and immigrant entrepreneurs. Participating representatives (from left) Osama Siblani of The Arab American News, Elias Gutierrez...
Dearborn approves 2011-2012 budget, plans closures and 42 layoffs
June 11th, 20110 DEARBORN – After two meetings lasting more than six hours combined on Monday and Tuesday nights filled with heated debates about proposed cuts, the city's budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year was unanimously passed on Tuesday, June 7. A parking rate increase was also passed unanimously......
Fordson group hopes to build next generation of community leaders
June 11th, 20110 Poetry slam attracts hundreds as political science club wraps up first year Fordson COPS members Mohamad B. Idriss, Rami Faraj, and Husain Bazzi prepare backstage for last Thursday's poetry slam event at Fordson High School. Faraj and Idriss helped found the group and said they wanted to leave a...
Palestine ambassador Safieh discusses new book, prospects for peace
June 11th, 20110 DEARBORN – The Arab American National Museum hosted Roving Ambassador for Special Missions for the PLO Afif Safieh for a discussion on Saturday, June 4, as part of a national tour for his new book "The Peace Process: From Breakthrough to Breakdown." The event was presented by the ADC's Greater......
Immigrant rights group sheds light on border patrol abuse
June 11th, 20110 DETROIT - Alliance for Immigrants Rights and Reform Michigan (AIR) has kicked off a summer long campaign titled "Summer Without Fear," with the goal of trying to shed light on the mistreatment and racial profiling of immigrants and minorities in southeast Michigan by border patrol and local...Rubicon Digital Media launches Arabic language applications
Amman, Jordan — Filling an underserved demographic in the digital marketplace, Rubicon Digital Media, a division of Rubicon Group Holding (RGH), has introduced an innovative series of apps for Arabic-speaking children ages 3-8 starring the characters of its animated "Tareq wa...Celebrating Freedom: LAHC members join Memorial Day parade
DEARBORN – The city's 87th annual Memorial Day Parade drew hundreds of spectators on Monday, May 30 on Michigan Avenue near City Hall, with more than 50 members of the Lebanese American Heritage Club among those who marched as an organization. Among those marched were the founder of the LAHC Ali Jawad, Executive Director Wassim...Iraq Export Opportunity for Michigan Businesses Forum
East Lansing, MI — The Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will hold the 2011 Iraq Export Opportunity for Michigan Businesses Forum, taking place on Monday, June 13th from 8:30 - 11:00 am in the Lake Michigan Room of the MEDC in......
Metro Detroit Youth Day to hold scholarship fundraiser
DETROIT — The Metro Detroit Youth Day executive board announced it will hold its eleventh Annual Scholarship Reception Tuesday, June 14, at the Roostertail in Detroit. "Our goal is to raise more than $50,000 to provide scholarships to metro Detroit youth," said Ed Deeb, Youth Day...Detroit Police to start up security services for local businesses
DETROIT — The Detroit Police Department is starting a new program called Secondary Employment in Uniform. The program will be offering off-duty police officers a chance to work for qualifying businesses within the city. Among the services included are crowd control, security and......
Ann Arbor man is last remaining U.S. POW in Iraq
ANN ARBOR — Sgt. Ahmed Altaie, an Army reservist who was kidnapped in Iraq, is the last remaining American service member still missing in Iraq according to a report in The Detroit News. The family has been awaiting his return for five years. A spokesman for the Department of Defense has said...Jury awards former Dearborn probation officer $463,820 in civil rights suit
DEARBORN — A Wayne County jury awarded former Dearborn probation officer Simone Calvas with $463,820 in a civil rights lawsuit against Dearborn's 19th District Court. The lawsuit, specifically targeting Dearborn Chief Judge Mark Somers, alleges that Calvas, 46, was fired in September 2007 without......
