Graduation Day: Nadia El-Khatib
Nadia El-Khatib on graduation day with her newborn son Mahdi. Nadia El-Khatib, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy - Ann Arbor Nadia El-Khatib, 27, always had the support of her family and husband of three years, Hussein, in pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. “I was raised since I was young...
Former Miss USA Rima Fakih scrutinized for marrying Christian
May 7th, 20160 Rima Fakih with Wassim SalibiDEARBORN - Former Miss U.S.A Rima Fakih’s upcoming marriage to music producer Wassim Salibi, a Christian, is being scrutinized in the media and by the local Muslim community. Fakih, 30, a former Dearborn resident and graduate from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, made history in 2010 when...Celebrating mothers: Hana Elmir
Hana and Rana ElmirHana Elmir tells her four children a story that demonstrates strength and persistence. During the war in Lebanon, her husband was in a different village as battles were raging. She walked for hours in dangerous conditions to make sure he was okay."Every time she heard the whistle of a rocket she would lay in a ditch,"...
Dearborn’s strip clubs: an ironic presence in a ‘halal’ community
May 6th, 20160 The Pantheon Club, located on Michigan Ave. next to La Shish.DEARBORN — The city is the capital of Arab America, but it is also home to several venues that feature topless dancers. Inside Dearborn's strip clubs, among the loud party music, dim lighting and topless dancers, Arab American customers and entertainers can be seen reveling...
Arab American college graduates share experiences, advice
May 6th, 20160 University of Michigan-Dearborn Graduation Ceremony in Ann ArborDEARBORN— Every year, thousands of college students enthusiastically return their textbooks and dispose of their notes in anticipation of graduation. As the Arab American population continues to establish itself in local communities, the names of an increasing number of...
Who authorized the “scathing” Dearborn Police survey?
May 6th, 20160 Mayor O'Reilly appears frustrated on WXYZDEARBORN — While Mayor Jack O'Reilly and the Dearborn Police Union deny that the Police Officers Association was behind the survey that showed low morale in the department, two sources said the study came from the union. The study, which was leaked to WXYZ Channel 7 last week, revealed...
Dearborn Police Department settles lawsuit with local man
May 6th, 20160 DEARBORN — The Police Department has settled a lawsuit filed in 2014 on behalf of Ali Beydoun, a mentally disabled local man, who was subjected to excessive force by multiple police officers in an altercation that was captured on dash cam footage. The case of Ali Beydoun vs. the city of Dearborn, Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad and...
Yemeni activists call for boycotting Jordanian airline
May 5th, 20160 HAMTRAMCK — Intimidation, segregation, disrespect, aggressive searches and theft — these are some of the abuses Yemenis are facing at Amman's airport, according to activists calling for boycotting the Royal Jordanian Airline. After the conflict in Yemen started last year, Jordan started requiring a visa for Yemeni nationals, even...
Dearborn Police Union slams chief for bringing in the feds
May 5th, 20160 DEARBORN — The Dearborn Police Union is criticizing Chief Ronald Haddad for involving the federal government in the affairs of the department, a memo obtained by The Arab American News revealed.The strongly worded document accuses Haddad of prioritizing political correctness over the interests of his employees.The Dearborn Police...
Becker Elementary students lead charitable efforts for refugee family
May 5th, 20160 Becker students gather at an assembly in collaboration with Zaman International.DEARBORN — Students at Becker Elementary School raised an impressive $1,850 during the month of April to support two struggling families in metro Detroit. The initiative involved a collaborative effort with the school's PTA and Zaman International, a...Visteon leader Husein Dakroub aims to motivate young engineers
Dakroub demonstrating a Visteon product at a convention in Los Angeles.DETROIT — Dearborn resident Husein Dakroub was one of the youngest engineers when he was hired into Visteon Corporation in 2011, a leading automotive global supplier based in metro Detroit. Last month, Dakroub, 25, represented Visteon's upcoming project at...Graduation Day: Layla Sareini
Layla Sareini with her familyDEARBORN— Every year, thousands of college students enthusiastically return their textbooks and dispose of their notes in anticipation of graduation. As the Arab American population continues to establish itself in local communities, the names of an increasing number of Arab American graduates are read out...Graduation Day: Ali Beydoun
Ali Beydoun with his familyDEARBORN— Every year, thousands of college students enthusiastically return their textbooks and dispose of their notes in anticipation of graduation. As the Arab American population continues to establish itself in local communities, the names of an increasing number of Arab American graduates are read out...Graduation Day: Fatima Fahs
Fatima Fahs with familyDEARBORN— Every year, thousands of college students enthusiastically return their textbooks and dispose of their notes in anticipation of graduation. As the Arab American population continues to establish itself in local communities, the names of an increasing number of Arab American graduates are read out loud...Graduation Day: Rafa Khansa
Rafa KhansaDEARBORN— Every year, thousands of college students enthusiastically return their textbooks and dispose of their notes in anticipation of graduation. As the Arab American population continues to establish itself in local communities, the names of an increasing number of Arab American graduates are read out loud at......
Celebrating mothers: Amira Kassem
Amira KassemAmira Kassem is a teacher at home as much as she is a mother in the classroom, according to her daughter Julia Kassem, who teaches advanced English at Dearborn High School. Julia Kassem was taught the dual nature of the Arab American identity by her mother, who embraced American values without forgetting her...Celebrating mothers: Ensaff Sabbagh Jawad
Ensaff Sabagh JawadEnsaff Sabagh Jawad lost a husband and two sons during her lifetime. But she never let setbacks dictate her life.Ensaff Jawad was the mother of nine children, including Ali Jawad, the founder of the Lebanese American Heritage Club. The resilient mother, who passed away earlier this year, was born in the southern......
Celebrating mothers: Fatima Elabed
Rashida Tlaib and Fatima ElabedThey say it takes a village to raise a child. Fatima Elabed has raised 14— seven boys and seven girls. She is the mother of former State Rep. Rashida Tlaib and prominent activist Rachid Elabed. Tlaib said humor was her mother's secret to achieve the difficult task of caring for so many children."My...Celebrating mothers: Zinat Shatila
Zinat ShatilaShatila Bakery is a symbol of the Arab American dream— a far reaching entrepreneurial success that stems from a mix of innovation and tradition. Zinat Shatila, widow of the legendary Riad Shatila, is the president of the company. She is also a hard-working mother who helped raise three women: Nada, Tanya and Batoul.Nada...Community celebrates passing of $35 million Crestwood School District bond
Dearborn Heights community members celebrate following the announcement of a passing resolution of the Crestwood School District bond. DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The efforts of community members involved in engaging residents to vote "yes" on a ballot to revamp the Crestwood District schools has paid off – and their cheerful celebration...
Trump supporter attacks Muslim woman at D.C. Starbucks
April 30th, 20160 WASHINGTON — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is asking the Metropolitan Police Department to preserve any surveillance video they may have of a Trump supporter attacking a Muslim woman. According to CAIR, a Muslim woman - who is African-American - was wearing a hijab outside of a Starbucks in Northwest, Washington on......
Local Arab actor lands key role in new “Criminal Minds” spin-off
New Criminal Minds spin-off features local actor Atif HashwiHOLLYWOOD— In his first major television role, Atif Hashwi, a Dearborn native, will guest star in the CBS series “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders”, airing on May 4.The show, which debuted in March, is a spin-off of the popular “Criminal Minds”, now in its 11th...Iranian Americans: Rich culture, common challenges
Iranian Americans gather at a Taste of Iran event in Detroit.DEARBORN — As local Arab Americans go about their lives, they may or may not be aware of a smaller and equally rooted neighboring community that shares their struggles, but strives to retain its unique identity – Persian Americans. The Arab and Iranian cultures are......
Survey reveals turmoil within Dearborn Police Department
April 29th, 20160 DEARBORN- A survey reported by 7 Action News, is painting an ugly picture of life inside the Dearborn Police Department.The survey was mailed out to 180 officers, lieutenants and sergeants who work for Dearborn police. Of the 180, 124 responded to the 78-page document. 109 members of the department...Michigan House votes to study marijuana limit for drivers
LANSING - Lawmakers are tackling the topic of driving while high. They're aiming to determine how much marijuana is safe in a person's system, while behind the wheel. The House is expected to vote next week to create a commission to research the threshold of THC for driving. Currently, a bill is up......