Local Arabs and Jews meet, address political differences
DEARBORN — A group of pro-Israeli American Jews and pro-Palestinian Arab Americans came together at the Lebanese American Heritage Club on Tuesday in a rare meeting aimed at sparking long-term dialogue acknowledging the two communities' general views on the Middle East conflict. Brenda Rosenberg, L, and Imad Hamad introduced...Pre-election forum to present Hamtramck candidates
HAMTRAMCK — A candidates' forum is be held on Thursday, July 30, 7 p.m. at the BHA Hall, 2320 Caniff Street. The forum will allow the five mayoral and 12 city council candidates to speak to citizens and answer questions. "We have to get the views of the candidates," said Michael Prentiss, organizer of the event. Each candidate...City looks at anti-profiling measure
KALAMAZOO — Public safety officials may soon implement a city-wide anti-profiling policy in an effort to increase cooperation between police and the community. The policy would ban discrimination or profiling based on appearance, ethnicity, gender, dress, origin, physical characteristics, race, religion or sexual orientation....Census takers looking for partners
The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking partnerships in Arab American communities ahead of the 2010 Census. In a news release from the Census Bureau and the Arab American Institute, officials said the bureau is seeking over 100,000 partnerships with organizations, religious institutions, businesses and schools in preparation for the...A Michigan staycation awaits
Between the allure of the new "Pure Michigan" ad campaign and the importance of saving money, it seems like more and more families are opting for Michigan vacations this summer. And when it comes to vacation spots in Michigan, they don't get much more popular than Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island at the top of the Lower...Behind detainee release, a U.S.-Iraqi conflict on Iran
WASHINGTON (IPS) — The release Friday of five Iranians held by the U.S. military in Iraq for two and a half years highlights the long-simmering conflict between the U.S. and Iraqi views of Iranian policy in Iraq and of the role of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) there. Iranian officials, detained by the U.S....
Fire breaks out at Dearborn’s Golden Bakery
July 18th, 20090 Fire fighters wrap up a call at a Middle Eastern bakery in Dearborn Friday. PHOTO: Khalil AlHajal/TAAN Fire fighters put out a small blaze at Dearborn's Golden Bakery, 14526 Warren Avenue, Friday afternoon. Several fire trucks responded. Police on the scene said no one was injured in the fire on the roof of the building...Twenty-five seek Dearborn City Council seats, low turnout expected
DEARBORN — On August 4, from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m., candidacies for seven City Council seats up for grabs in November will be at stake in Dearborn's primary elections. The combination of a voter turnout that is expected to be low and the importance of the City Council in making crucial decisions makes the primary a key opportunity for...Community bids farewell to first Arab American fire chief
DEARBORN— Fire Chief Nazih Hazime's leadership as a safety official and as an Arab American community figure was honored Wednesday in a farewell reception hosted by the Congress of Arab American Organizations at the Lebanese American Heritage Club. Dearborn Fire Chief Nazih Hazime, second left, receives a medal from Mayor...FBI seeks to clarify role
DETROIT — Amid heightened tensions between the FBI and American Muslim communities nationwide, Andrew Arena, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Detroit Division, recently sat down for an interview with Allan Lengel, editor of ticklethewire.com, a news website that covers federal law enforcement. Detroit District FBI Special...
U.S. leaders asked to address growing Islamophobia
July 10th, 20090 WASHINGTON — A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group this week cited recent anti-Muslim incidents nationwide in calling on American leaders to address what it said is a "growing level of anti-Muslim prejudice and stereotyping" in American society. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said opinion...Radio legend Casey Kasem retires
American radio legend Casey Kasem officially signed off for the last time on July 4, 2009, exactly 39 years after the first broadcast of his wildly successful and ubiquitous "American Top 40" radio show. Casey Kasem The 77-year-old Lebanese/Palestinian star, whose real name was Kemal Amin Kasem, had hosted the spin-off...Muslims under scrutiny despite waning of ‘terror war’
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) — When the administration of President Barack Obama formally abandoned the longstanding U.S. "war on terror" — perceived by some as a codeword for "war against Islam" — there were hopes of a new relationship between the United States and the Muslim world after eight long years of political...Netanyahu, Ahmadinejad start cold war
The cold war is back. Last week, Vice President Joseph Biden announced in a television interview that Israel, as a sovereign state, was free to take military action to deal with Iran's nuclear program. But President Obama was not pleased to see his partner-in-leadership improvise foreign policy. Obama must have immediately cautioned his...Autism school gives hope
A child's cognitive or behavioral disorder can be a lot for a family to deal with, especially as the nation faces a load of health care and education policy issues in a period of transition and harsh times. Burger School for Students with Autism in Garden City Immigrant communities often face extra obstacles, with cultural......
Movie asks us to vote with our forks
July 10th, 20090 As immigrants and natives alike know, many parts of American culture are worth emulating. But one aspect that Arab Americans and others should avoid is the food industry. The widely-praised new documentary movie "Food, Inc," which can be seen at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak and others nationwide, makes that point loud and clear...Archbishop Hanna to tour U.S.
Archbishop Theodosios Atallah Hanna, from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, a well known religious figure and activist for Palestinian rights, is scheduled to visit at least seven U.S. cities beginning in July 15, according to the U.S. Palestine Conference Network. Archbishop of Sevastia Theodosios Atallah......
Group golfs for scholarships
WEST BLOOMFIELD — The Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC) presented its 7th annual golf outing and scholarship award dinner at the Shenandoah Country Club on Wednesday. ACC scholarship recepients after recieving their awards Wednesday. The event raised funds for scholarships that went to deserving high school students...
Six reasons why Iran cannot be explained in a Twitter feed
July 4th, 20090 The world's attention is on Iran. But the rhetoric of reformists vs. conservatives and students vs. mullahs cannot capture the complexity of what is happening on the streets of Tehran. Here are six reasons why the situation in Iran cannot be reduced to simplistic headlines or Twitter feeds. Police in full riot gear walk past...Dearborn Heights man accused of plotting to have county prosecutor killed
A Dearborn Heights man put a contract out on the life of Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor and Arab American Political Action Committee Endorsement Chair Abed Hammoud, who was investigating the man for mortgage fraud, according to federal court records unsealed this week. Sabastian Restum The Detroit News reported Thursday...
Arab American comedy night in Livonia
July 3rd, 20090 From top left: Comedians Amer Zahr, Joey "The Wacky Iraqi" Nibras and Mike Batayeh Seven Middle Eastern comics from the U.S. and Canada are scheduled to perform at Joey's Comedy Club, 36071 Plymouth Road in Livonia on July 9. Local comics Amer Zahr, Joey "The Wacky Iraqi" Nibras, Sarah Bazzi and Ali "Bulldog" Abdallah are set to......
Metro Detroit Youth Day July 8
DETROIT — About 35,000 youths are expected to gather at Belle Isle on July 8 for a colorful celebration of athletics, academics and service. An Arab American volunteer is seen painting the arm of a youngster during the 2008 Metro Youth Day. Photos courtesy of Ed Deeb The fun at Metro Detroit Youth Day is scheduled to begin at...Yemen Nights Café serves unique flavors
Because Dearborn is home to some of the best food in southeast Michigan, it's tempting for many residents to stay in town for most of their meals. Yemen Nights offers a new twist on Arabic food dining in the Dearborn area as well as a comfortable place to relax with friends. But those who venture just outside of city limits to......
Conventions and festivals fill summer schedule
SAN FRANCISCO — Palestinians from across the U.S., along with some who traveled from Palestine, celebrated the 51st annual Ramallah convention here last week. A fashion show held during the annual Ramallah Convention in San Francisco on June 26. PHOTO: Ramsey El-Qare The convention was held at the San Francisco International...Seeing through all the propaganda about Iran
WASHINGTON — Iran's political crisis continues to blaze. It's still impossible to say which leaders or factions will emerge victorious, but one thing is certain: the earthquake in the Islamic Republic is shaking the Mideast and deeply confusing everyone, including the U.S. government. Highlighting the complexity of this crisis, Meir......