Muslim couple told by Tim Horton’s employee to “go back to their country” files lawsuit
July 19th, 20190 YPSILANTI – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) is filing a civil rights complaint on behalf of a Michigan couple who were told to "go back to their country" by an employee of a Tim Horton's in Ypsilanti. Amy Doukoure, staff attorney at CAIR-MI, told the Arab American News that on June 28,...
ICE agents’ visit to Dearborn restaurant has community on edge
July 16th, 20190 DEARBORN — The Hamido Restaurant in Dearborn located at 13251 W. Warren Ave. was the site of a visit from two Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents on Monday, a report from the Detroit News said. Two special agents entered the restaurant and requested signatures on paperwork from a manager, Kassem Rizk, the report said. Rizk,...
City of Westland opens cooling centers in response to high temperatures
July 15th, 20190 WESTLAND — The City of Westland has opened several cooling centers around the city for the entire week, in response to extreme temperatures reaching above 90 degrees in the city. The centers will include bottled water provided free of charge, along with other amenties to help keep residents cool. Those attending are asked to...
Yemeni American high school soccer player earns scholarship to Division I Butler University
July 13th, 20190 DEARBORN — Edsel Ford High School senior Hammam Nasser is on his way to play soccer for the NCAA Division I Butler University in Indianapolis. Nasser, 17, who earned a scholarship to Butler, is the son of Mohamed Nasser, founder of the Michigan Yemen Sports Association (MYSA), who also organized many tournaments and programs for...
In Dearborn, Whitmer talks about roads, education and economic growth
July 13th, 20190 DEARBORN – Governor Whitmer was in Dearborn this week for an expanded presentation of her 2020 budget proposal. To little surprise, infrastructure spending was a focus of her talk at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. She later sat down with The Arab American News for an exclusive interview about the budget and the...
Metropark police probing alleged discriminatory remark to Arab Americans, police officer suspended
July 13th, 20190 BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP — An alleged discriminatory remark made to an Arab American family by a Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority police officer is growing in concern as advocacy groups demand action be taken against the officer. The officer, who allegedly told an Arab American family to “Go back where you came from” at Lake...
After nearly two decades, pro-Palestinian protesters finally convince Ann Arbor to discuss boycott
July 12th, 20190 ANN ARBOR, MI — A majority of Ann Arbor City Council members have agreed to discuss a possible boycott resolution of U.S. military support for Israel, a change-of-heart nearly two decades in the making. The possible resolution will be discussed on August 14, an article from Mlive.com said, despite objections from Ann Arbor Human...
Local Muslims offer tips, share experiences as 2019 pilgrimage draws near
July 12th, 20190 DEARBORN - The Muslim holy pilgrimage Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is expected to begin on Friday, August 9 and end on Wednesday, August 14, with millions planning to embark on this year's journey. During Hajj the city of Mecca becomes one of the most densely-populated locations on Earth, as hundreds of thousands of people...
From Tahrir Square to Detroit: Revolutionary Egyptian guitarist to perform at free Concert of Colors this weekend
July 11th, 20190 DEARBORN/DETROIT — The free Concert of Colors series is an annual tradition for fans of world and cultural music in the Metro Detroit area, and this year's edition, running through Tuesday, July 18 in multiple locations, includes a guest whose name may be familiar to those who followed the Egyptian revolution of 2011: Ramy...
Arab American officer accuses Michigan Department of Corrections of racial harassment, files lawsuit
July 9th, 20190 JACKSON – A federal lawsuit was filed today by Hizam Yehia, an Arab American corrections officer at a Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) prison in Jackson, who claims he suffered years of racial abuse at the hands of fellow officers and administration. Detroit attorney Jonathan R. Marko, of Marko Law, told The Arab American...
Attorney General Nessel charges sixth priest with criminal sexual conduct
July 8th, 20190 LANSING — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the arrest of Father Joseph (Jack) Baker on Monday morning in Wayne County. Baker was charged with criminal sexual conduct as part of her ongoing investigation into clergy abuse within the Catholic Church. He will be arraigned in the 29th District Court in Wayne. He was...
Zarif: There won’t be a better nuclear deal with Iran than 2015 accord
July 8th, 20190 GENEVA - World powers will not be able to negotiate a better deal with Iran than the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Monday. Iran threatened on Monday to restart deactivated centrifuges and ramp up its enrichment of uranium to 20 percent purity as its next potential big moves away...
Germany rejects Trump’s call for ground troops in Syria
July 8th, 20190 BERLIN - Germany on Monday rejected demands by the United States to deploy ground troops in Syria, a stance likely to anger President Trump who wants Chancellor Angela Merkel to commit to a bigger military role in the Middle East. “When I say the government envisages sticking to the current measures in the anti-Islamic State...
How to block unwanted calls
July 5th, 20191 Scammers can use the Internet to make calls from all over the world. They don’t care if you’re on the National Do Not Call Registry. That’s why your best defense against unwanted calls is call blocking. Which type of call-blocking or call-labeling technology you use will depend on the phone — whether it’s a mobile,...
U.S. Rep. Andy Levin to stand with faith leaders opposing war on Iran
July 5th, 20190 DETROIT - Christian and Muslim clerics will stand with U.S. Rep. Andy Levin (D-Warren) on Monday to call for peace and reason after the nation was brought to the brink of war with Iran last month. The demonstration will be held at Central United Methodist Church, located at 23 E Adams Ave in Detroit, at 12:30 p.m. Iranian born Imam......
Woman accused of welfare fraud may lose her citizenship
July 4th, 20190 GRAND RAPIDS — A Kentwood woman accused of lying about her criminal background to gain U.S. citizenship is facing a federal charge that could put her in prison for 10 years, a report from WZZM-13 in Grand Rapids said. The woman unlawfully collected nearly $31,000 in benefits and did not disclose the welfare fraud during her process...
Hammoud and Worthy address Flint’s frustrated residents
July 4th, 20190 FLINT – At a town-hall style meeting at the UAW Local 659 in Flint last Friday, Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy spoke to residents affected by the city’s water crisis. This was the first meeting of this kind and was held two weeks after the new investigative team dismissed all......
Rainbow Connection granted wishes to thousands of children in Michigan with life threatening illnesses
July 4th, 20190 ROCHESTER - Since its inception in 1985, Rochester based charity organization Rainbow Connection has made wishes come true for thousands of children with life threatening medical conditions in Michigan. The charity began when Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson organized a memorial golf outing to raise scholarship funds in...
Arab American goalie thrilled for chance to compete with hometown favorite Detroit Red Wings
July 3rd, 20190 DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings 2019 development camp wrapped up this past weekend under the watchful eye of new general manager Steve Yzerman at Little Caesars Arena downtown, as recent draft picks and free agent signees battled it out on the ice. Among the latter group was Plymouth native Robbie Beydoun, a lifelong fan of the team...
Splash pads and neighborhood pools now open in Dearborn sites
July 3rd, 20190 DEARBORN — As part of the city’s outdoor aquatic season, splash pads are now open at three Dearborn sites. The splash pads are located at Crowley, Hemlock and Whitmore-Bolles Parks; they are open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. A part failure delayed the opening of the Crowley and Hemlock Park splash pads. Use of the splash...
Arab American Civil Right League, NAACP hold fifth annual justice awards tribute
July 3rd, 20190 DETROIT — The Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) and the Detroit Branch of the NAACP hosted the fifth annual Justice Awards Tribute event on Tuesday, honoring individuals who have dedicated their lives to equality and justice. This year's honorees were Judge Kirsten Frank Kelly of the Michigan Court of Appeals and attorney......
2019’s best and worst places for Fourth of July celebrations
July 3rd, 20190 With the Fourth of July just days away, the personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on 2019's Best & Worst Places for 4th of July Celebrations on Tuesday, as well as accompanying videos to go along with interesting stats about the holiday in its 4th of July Facts & Figures infographic. To determine the best...
Arab American non-profit expands Macomb County services, opens primary care clinic
July 1st, 20190 STERLING HEIGHTS — The Arab American & Chaldean Council announced it will now be offering integrated health care services in Sterling Heights, with the opening of the council’s new primary care clinic. The clinic is located at ACC's Macomb location at 38219 Mound Rd. in Sterling Heights, providing a multi-faceted healthcare......
Nawal Hamadeh talks about her charter schools and the 2019 graduation incident
June 30th, 20190 DEARBORN - In a conversation with The Arab American News, Nawal Hamadeh, founder and director of the Hamadeh Educational Services, discussed the incident that took place at the Universal Academy graduation ceremony, which turned into a public issue after the release of a video sparked a widespread debate. The video featured two...
Dearborn water rate change doesn’t do nearly enough to support residents, councilman says
June 30th, 20190 DEARBORN—The Dearborn City Council voted 4-1 last Tuesday to amend fixed rates charged to the city's water customers. According to Councilman David Bazzy, the move led to heated discussions. “There was a lot of good discussions back and forth, some of it slightly heated, some of it not so heated," he said. "I think that either......
