Local artist wants to present Bible verses in Arabic calligraphy
Fidel Charaf.With religious restrictions on various forms of artistic expressions, including music, sculpting and painting, calligraphy became the Islamic art. The walls, columns and domes of the world's biggest mosques are decorated by skillfully crafted words and sentences. Lebanese American artist Fadel Charaf is presenting bible...Fordson students win state contest, to compete in Boston for nationals
Aya Beydoun and Mariam Makki.DEARBORN — Two Fordson High School seniors won a state contest in Grand Rapids for displaying their Arab American heritage during a broadcast production assignment; and will now be moving forward to a national contest in Boston. Aya Beydoun and Mariam Makki submitted their assignment for the...“Hairspray Jr.” revives performing arts at Dearborn’s public schools
"Hairspray Jr." performed by students from Dearborn Public Schools.DEARBORN — The performing arts are alive and thriving at Dearborn Public schools— a fact made evident by five packed houses at performances of the musical "Hairspray Jr." at Stout Middle School. The one hour and 40 minute spectacle involved the strenuous...Federal agency to work with Dearborn Police to improve community relations
April 29th, 20160 DEARBORN — It's been a tough few months for the Dearborn Police Department. On top of criticism over the fatal shootings of two African American residents—currently under investigation by Michigan State Police and the Wayne County Prosecutor's office— the department is also facing backlash from the Arab American community...Michigan church’s website hacked with ISIS propoganda
Raheel Siddiqui, of Taylor.WASHINGTON — Following the death of Muslim Marine recruit Private U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell is joining three congress members from California in introducing a bill to require the Pentagon to track and make annual reports on the problem of hazing in the military. Siddiqui, 20, died on March 18,...Arab American cops leaving Dearborn police force
April 26th, 20160 The Dearborn Police DepartmentDEARBORN — Middle Easterners in Dearborn call the city the capital of Arab America. That is evidenced by the demographics of the neighborhoods — Arabic signs on storefronts, and an abundance of Middle Eastern businesses.The city’s culture and appearance have shifted over the past 30 years, but the...Michigan church’s website hacked with ISIS propoganda
GRAND RAPIDS - Members of a church near Grand Rapids were shocked to discover that its website was hacked by pro-ISIS propoganda. The website hack of Lamont Christian Reformed Church in Michigan was discovered by a Elizabeth Storteboom, aged 15, when she was searching the site in order to put the church number on a form. When she...Harvard-bound Edsel Ford student has a drive for success
April 22nd, 20162 Ali NasserDEARBORN — To be accepted into Harvard, you first need to apply. Ali Nasser was not afraid to present his credentials to the Ivy League school's admission office. The Edsel Ford High School student considered the application a test to his academic abilities. He was not disappointed.Nasser is soft spoken. He is industrious...Marijuana: Arab Smokers, religious scholars weigh in
April 22nd, 20160 A local Muslim woman about to smoke Marijuana. The names of some individuals interviewed in this article have been changed to protect their anonymity. DEARBORN — Marijuana smoking is a recreational activity for many local Arab and Muslim Americans. But those who consume it continue to conceal the habit out of fears of social...Crestwood officials seek votes to fix deteriorating schools
A damaged ceiling and protected classroom material from leaking water at Crestwood High SchoolDEARBORN HEIGHTS – The buildings within the Crestwood School District are in a poor state. Ceiling leaks, broken chairs and outdated technology have plagued students and staff for decades, forcing them to work around and temporarily patch...Wayne County residents can now text 911
DEARBORN- Dearborn is one of 18 communities in western Wayne County with a new Text-to-911 service, which means people have another way to summon help when they are in an emergency situation. The announcement was made on Friday, April 15 that the Text-to-911 service is now available to the 18 communities...Dearborn police plan unwanted prescription pill drop-off day
DEARBORN — On April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Dearborn Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 11th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. The agencies are...Snyder: There’s been a continuing flow of refugees coming to Michigan
DETROIT — During a forum last Monday, Gov. Snyder said more refugees have immigrated into Michigan since he proposed a pause on them entering the state in November. Snyder took to the stage at the Michigan Chronicle's Pancakes and Politics breakfast forum at the Detroit Athletic Club to answer questions from an audience on a number...Medical groups provide services at Institute of Knowledge health fair
A Baumant health professional checks the blood pressure of a community member at the C-ASIST health fair.DEARBORN — The Islamic Institute of Knowledge hosted a health fair in cooperation with numerous medical institutions and nonprofit organizations. The event provided services to more than 150 people, including kidney scans,...A crowded pool of Dearborn candidates fight for your vote
April 22nd, 20160 DEARBORN — This year's elections are shaping up to be the most critical and competitive yet for the community, as multiple candidates— including many Arab Americans— are battling for positions on the November ballot. The filing deadline for the majority of the positions up for elections was on Tuesday, April 19. Candidates had......
Dearborn teachers: More comprehensive sex education needed
April 22nd, 20160 DEARBORN — Many students in Dearborn's public schools opt out of taking sexual education lessons and some teachers say they wish they were allowed to teach more comprehensive sex ed courses. Ibrahim Mashhour, director of student services and district athletics at Dearborn Public Schools, said while students statewide are required to...Three officials charged in Flint water crisis
The Flint RiverFLINT — Three state and local officials were criminally charged on Wednesday in an investigation into dangerous lead levels in Flint's drinking water, and the state attorney general said there would be more charges to come.Genesee District Judge Tracy Collier-Nix authorized charges against Flint employee Michael Glasgow......
Dearborn man arrested for sexual assault in Canton
April 19th, 20160 Ali Mohamad-Sahrif Al-Aboosi.CANTON - Canton Police have arrested 45-year-old from Dearborn, after he allegedly picked up a woman and sexually assaulted her at a vacant home.Al-Aboosi has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct following an incident that occurred on April 12.Al-Aboosi allegedly picked up a woman who...Arab Americans commemorate 20th anniversary of Qana Massacre
Haidar Bitar, the father of the two Dearborn children who died in the massacreDEARBORN — Qana is an ever-bleeding wound in the collective Arab consciousness. It has been 20 years since Israel shelled a United Nations compound that housed civilians in the southern Lebanese town. Two children from Dearborn were among the 106 dead.Arab...Dearborn woman suffers miscarriage following altercation with armed suspects
April 18th, 20160 Ali Mcheik with his wife after she suffered a miscarriage at Beaumont Hospital.DEARBORN - A local woman suffered a miscarriage after fleeing from armed suspects in her neighborhood on Thursday, April 14. Ali Mcheik, a local singer, told The Arab American News that his 33-year-old wife Nasreen was three months pregnant when an incident...Iraqi man booted off Southwest flight for speaking Arabic
LOS ANGELES - A UC Berkley student says he was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight earlier this month after speaking Arabic on board. Khairuldeen Makhzoomi, a 26-year-old Iraqi refugee, came to the United States in 2002 when his diplomat father was killed. Now a senior at UC Berkley, Makhzoomi was in Los Angeles attending......
Fordson grad to give commencement speech at Harvard
JalloulDEARBORN — Four years ago, Mariam Jalloul spoke at her high school commencement at Fordson. Next month, she will speak at Harvard's 365th commencement. Jalloul, who graduated as the valedictorian of the Fordson class of 2012 with a 4.3 GPA, went on to excel at Harvard. The Ivy League university student, who is receiving her...Arab American vice chief of staff at Beaumont hopes to inspire others
Dr. Mohamad Hakim celebrating his new position at La Pita, DearbornDEARBORN – Paving the way for professional Arab Americans, Dr. Mohamad Hakim, who was recently appointed the vice chief of staff at the Beaumont hospital in Dearborn, said he hopes his election inspires others to become more involved in organizational and political......
U of M Student of the Year Ahmad Hider is a proud nerd
April 15th, 20160 Ahmad HiderAhmad Hider is a proud nerd, and it's not just his glasses. He spends 30 to 40 hours a week in the lab. He was named "Student of the Year" by University of Michigan's campus newspaper, the Michigan Daily.As a senior majoring in cellular, molecular biology, he helps teach beginning chemistry classes. His students are barely...Top Lebanese police officials visit Michigan
Brig. Gen. Mohammad Ayyoubi with Mayor Jack O'Reilly, Cheif Ron Haddad and Judge Sam Salamey.DEARBORN — A group of Lebanese security officials visited Michigan this week as a part of a collaboration program with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), which works with foreign governments to strengthen their......