

Governor Whitmer leads delegation of Michigan leaders on investment mission to the UAE and Bahrain
February 14th, 20250 DUBAI – In her first official visit to the Arab region, Michigan Governor Whitmer embarked on a trade and investment mission to the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain on Tuesday. The trip, scheduled to last until February 19, aims to strengthen Michigan’s foreign relations, attract investments and highlight the state’s...Dearborn approves plan to convert former Hyatt Regency hotel into residential complex and smaller hotel
February 14th, 20250 Developer hopes to complete project within a year DEARBORN – The Dearborn Planning Commission has approved a redevelopment plan for the former Hyatt Regency hotel in the heart of the city, converting it into a residential complex with 258 apartments, along with a 216-room hotel, two restaurants and a lounge. The project organizers...Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson enters Michigan Governor’s race as a Democrat
February 14th, 20250 Swanson announces candidacy at Mott Community College in Flint FLINT – Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson has announced his candidacy for governor in the 2026 election, becoming the second Democrat to enter the primary race after Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. During his campaign launch at Mott Community College in Flint,...Governor Whitmer proposes $83.5 billion budget for next fiscal year, prepares for showdown with Republican-led State House
February 7th, 20250 LANSING – Governor Whitmer unveiled a record-breaking $83.5 billion budget proposal for the 2025-2026 fiscal year on Wednesday, aiming to increase spending on education, public safety, parks and IT infrastructure for state agencies. The budget also seeks to bolster the state’s financial reserves, leveraging higher-than-expected...Arab American honored in Dearborn Heights for heroic act
February 7th, 20250 DEARBORN HEIGHTS – On Monday, in the presence of Mayor Bill Bazzi and Fire Chief David Brogan, an Arab American man who works at a restaurant in the northern part of the city received the "Citizen Award" at City Hall for his heroic efforts in saving the life of a driver trapped inside a burning vehicle following a traffic accident on...Abdul El-Sayed considers a 2026 run for U.S. Senate
February 7th, 20250 ANN ARBOR – Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, director of the Wayne County Department of Health and former candidate for governor, has announced that he is seriously considering a run for the U.S. Senate, aiming to succeed incumbent Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who recently declared that he will not seek re-election in the 2026 elections. In...Dearborn honors Police Chief Issa Shahin in a grand ceremony
February 7th, 20250 DEARBORN – The Arab American community in Dearborn honored the city’s police chief, Issa Shahin, at a special dinner held last Friday evening at the La Pita Restaurant Banquet Hall. Businessmen Ali Jawad and Shaker Aoun and The Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani organized the event, attended by a large gathering of...Man charged with ethnic intimidation for threats against Michigan Muslim group
February 7th, 20250 A 78-year-old man in Michigan was charged with ethnic intimidation over alleged threats against a U.S. Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American Islamic Relations, the advocacy group and officials said on Thursday. Paul Naiman was arraigned on three counts of ethnic intimidation, with the Canton Police Department confirming the...Dearborn honors social media activist and educator Hussein Hachem for serving Arab American communities
February 7th, 20250 DEARBORN – In a gesture reflecting the city of Dearborn’s appreciation for the role of media in shaping community awareness and strengthening communication among Arab American communities, the Dearborn City Council honored social media activist and educator Hussein Hachem and the What’s Up Media Network last week. The recognition...Dearborn bids farewell to former Mayor Jack O’Reilly in official memorial service
February 7th, 20250 DEARBORN – The city of Dearborn bid farewell to former Mayor John (Jack) O’Reilly in an official memorial service held last Saturday at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. The event was attended by family members, friends and public officials, who paid tribute to his legacy and commitment to the city and its...Dearborn to provide free gym memberships for seniors
January 31st, 20250 DEARBORN — On Thursday, the city announced its participation in the SilverSneakers program, allowing anyone over 65 with qualifying health insurance to use the fitness amenities at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center at no cost. Starting Monday, Feb. 3, anyone on a qualifying Medicare Advantage or Supplemental Health Plan...Fordson High School head football coach Fouad Zaban retires after 18 seasons
January 31st, 20250 DEARBORN — Fordson High School head football coach Fouad "Walker" Zaban has announced his retirement after 18 years of leading the tractors. Finishing his nearly two decade career with a 135-56 record, Zaban took the football program to the MHSAA state playoffs in 17 of his 18 seasons with the tractors. He has built a meaningful...Three injured in armed clash during home invasion attempt in Dearborn Heights
January 31st, 20250 DEARBORN HEIGHTS – A violent armed confrontation during an attempted home invasion in Dearborn Heights resulted in three people being injured, authorities confirmed. The incident took place late Monday night, sending shockwaves through the residential community as law enforcement responded swiftly to the...Nassib Fawaz hosts book signing for memoir “Essence of Time” at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn
January 31st, 20250 DEARBORN – Lebanese American businessman and longtime community leader Dr. Nassib (Ned) Fawaz hosted a book signing event last week at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn to celebrate the release of his Arabic-language memoir Essence of Time, along with its English translation, which bears the main title "Building Blocks" and...Senator Gary Peters announces retirement, shaking up 2026 Michigan senate race
January 31st, 20250 BLOOMFIELD – In a surprising decision, Michigan Democratic Senator Gary Peters has announced that he will not run for reelection in 2026, choosing instead to retire after completing his second six-year term. This decision paves the way for an intense electoral battle to determine his successor from both the Democratic and Republican......
Jocelyn Benson is the first Democratic candidate to officially enter the 2026 gubernatorial race
January 31st, 20250 LANSING — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson officially launched her campaign for governor last Wednesday, making her the first Democratic candidate to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race. With this announcement, Benson becomes a key contender to succeed Governor Whitmer, who is term-limited. "I have decided to run for governor because...CAIR-MI welcomes federal court decision allowing lawsuit against Oakland County sheriff for forcing Muslim woman to remove her hijab
January 31st, 20250 The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) has welcomed a federal court ruling in Detroit, allowing a lawsuit to proceed against the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office on behalf of a Muslim woman who was forced to remove her hijab during her arrest in 2023. The Sheriff’s Office attempted to have the......
Dearborn Heights appoints fourth new police chief in three years, mayor accused of violating police union contracts
January 30th, 20250 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — After a nearly six-hour City Council meeting on Jan. 28, Mayor Bill Bazzi appointed a new police chief, the city’s fourth in just under three years. Bazzi confirmed in a press release that Officer Ahmed Haider will assume command of the Dearborn Heights Police Department as the acting chief while the city...Resilient Neighborhoods: Detroiters helping each other: “It’s just straight groundwork.”
January 30th, 20250 By Amy Kuras Metro Detroit is blessed with a community of incredible people creating a better world for all of us. They range from highly professional funders and executives crafting strategies to ameliorate complicated social problems, to the hands-on staffers that carry out those plans, at organizations small and large. And then...Trump’s war on immigrants a threat to public health
January 26th, 20250 By Edward Kissam President Trump’s inaugural speech Monday signaled his continued commitment to characterizing immigrants as criminal invaders and an impediment to his campaign mantra of “making America great again.” Following his speech, Trump signed a slew of executive orders — declaring a national emergency...As Trump shapes up his presidency, a fight is looming on his birthright citizenship executive order
January 26th, 20250 By Amjad Khan On the first day of his second term, the nation stood watch as President Trump issued a plethora of controversial executive orders that disrupt all corners of American life. From his pardoning of violent January 6 rioters to his withdrawal from the near decade long Paris Climate Agreement, it is clear that the......
Mayor Bill Bazzi raises concerns over treasurer’s performance
January 19th, 20250 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Mayor Bill Bazzi has raised concerns over the performance of Treasurer Lisa Hicks-Clayton and her ability to accurately conduct city business. According to a press release issued by the city, a Jan. 6 communication was sent to members of the City Council where Bazzi had expressed concerns over issues raised in the...State Rep. Alabas Farhat appointed as vice chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee
January 17th, 20250 LANSING – Recently, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township), appointed Arab American State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) as vice chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee. In his new role, Farhat will oversee the state’s $82 billion budget alongside Committee Chair Ann Bollin (R-Brighton......
Dearborn Board of Education reorganizes, elects officers
January 17th, 20250 DEARBORN — As part of School Board Appreciation Month, Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko took time at the January 13 school board meeting to thank trustees for their service to the community and to recognize each trustee. Over the past few years, school board members across the state and throughout the country have encountered an...Cautious optimism among Arab and Muslim Americans in Detroit over the Gaza ceasefire agreement
January 17th, 20251 After 647 days of relentless violence and genocidal crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza, the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday was seen as a moment of hope, marking the potential end of a devastating nightmare. This long-overdue agreement represents more than just a pause in conflict; it is a......