Community leaders to demand answers from Feds
May 13th, 20160 DEARBORN — Community members and organization leaders expressed frustration with the apathetic attitude given by federal officials toward Muslim and Arab Americans' efforts to cull discrimination and planned to demand answers from government leaders at a BRIDGES meeting at The Arab American News office on Tuesday. Despite...
Dearborn officers turn against their chief
May 13th, 20161 Mayor O'Reilly (R) and Police Chief Haddad (L) welcoming new police recruitsDEARBORN — "Scathing" is an understatement to describe the Dearborn Police survey that made headlines two weeks ago. The study, obtained by The Arab American News, revealed widespread and profound discontent in the department. The disgruntled officers piled...
Islamic Center of America awards scholarships, highlights youth
May 13th, 20160 High school scholarship awardees at the ICA - Photo by Bill Chapman.DEARBORN — Reaffirming their gratitude, hundreds of community members attended the Islamic Center of America's (ICA) semi-annual fundraising dinner on Saturday, May 7. From regular worshippers to local government officials and church pastors who packed the...Hamtramck Public Schools voters approve $4 million millage
HAMTRAMCK — On May 3, voters approved the Hamtramck Public Schools' $4 million millage— which will be used to improve the school buildings and playgrounds— for another 10 years. The recession and declining revenues have affected the upkeep of the buildings in the district, but the bond will secure accessible entries, safety...
Michigan Radio rejects sponsor’s pro-Israeli message
May 13th, 20160 ANN ARBOR — Michigan Radio decided not to air a sponsor's message wishing Israel a happy birthday on the Zionist state's independence day. For a donation of at least $365, listeners can broadcast a message six times on the public radio station based at the University of Michigan. However, the pro-Israeli message of Lisa Lis, an...
Substance abuse stigma takes center stage at community forum
May 12th, 20160 41st District Judge Linda Davis speaks to the audience about a family member's addiction to drugs. DEARBORN HEIGHTS – A coalition aimed at tacking substance abuse and the stigmas it casts on the Arab American community kicked off on a powerful note on Tuesday, May 10. SAFE (Safety, Addiction, Family,...Arab Student Union approved at Crestwood after months of rejections
Students and lawyers at Crestwood's school board meeting. DEARBORN HEIGHTS – After months of delays and obstacles thrown their way, students at Crestwood High School have finally gotten an approval for an Arab Student Union (ASU). On Tuesday, the School Board approved the organization after initially telling...Dearborn judges celebrate Law Day with students
Students and judges at the 19th District Court. Photo: City of Dearborn.DEARBORN — Judges of the 19th District Court joined local students to celebrate the 58th anniversary of Law Day, a national occasion to recognize the role of the courts. Law Day was established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to mark the nation’s...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......