Community members, officials weigh in on gun debate
December 11th, 20150 Amira AyyoubDEARBORN — As small business owners, many Arab Americans carry guns for protection. However, recent mass shootings across the country have reignited the gun control debate. Over the past few years, gun violence has claimed many lives in the community. Several suicides, homicides and a murder-suicide were all carried out...Obama: Syrian refugee to resettle in Troy is an ‘inspiration’
Photo by Humans of New York.TROY — A Syrian refugee who will be resettled in Troy was welcomed by President Obama via Facebook Wednesday. "As a husband and a father, I cannot even begin to imagine the loss you have endured. You and your family are an inspiration," Obama commented on a Facebook post that had been shared more than...UM-D students urge City Council to vote on Syrian refugee resolution
A UMD student addresses City Council. DEARBORN – The Social Justice League (SJL) at the University of Michigan-Dearborn wants the City Council to pass a resolution that would welcome Syrian refugees. Members of the organization say they drafted the resolution following Governor Snyder’s controversial decision to put a halt to...
‘He Named Me Malala’ shortlisted for Oscar, shows in Dearborn
December 11th, 20150 Panelists lead the discussion after the showing of "He Named Me Malala"DEARBORN — One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world, said Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager who was shot by the Taliban at age 15 for speaking out about the need for girls’ education. “He Named Me Malala” recounts the...
Dearborn resident shouldn’t claim false discrimination
December 11th, 20150 DEARBORN — In recent weeks, residents have contacted The Arab American News to report incidents where they or someone they knew were allegedly discriminated against because they were Muslim or Arab. While reports of discrimination should never be disregarded, after a thorough investigation on our end, we’ve concluded that...Protesters highlight mixed feelings about Detroit post-bankruptcy
Shirley Lightsey talks about her experience as a pensioner affected by Detroit's bankruptcy.DETROIT — The city emerged from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history one year ago, but not all residents think the process has been positive.A forum held Wednesday night to discuss the state of the city post-bankruptcy became a show...House passes “discriminatory” Visa Waiver bill
Participant nations in the Visa Waiver ProgramWASHINGTON — The House passed a bill that would restrict the travel of Iraqi and Syrian nationals to the United States, even if they are natives of nations whose citizens can enter the United States without obtaining a visa.The bill, which overhauls the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), was...Area leaders receive “Community Hero Awards”
Community Hero Award recipients DEARBORN— Local community leaders received awards recognizing them as "Community Heroes" at The Lava Lounge in Dearborn Heights on Monday, Dec. 7.Hosted by community activist Kimberly Ismail and presented by state Rep. George Darany (D- Dearborn), the award ceremony celebrated local business owners who...Sam Baydoun appointed president of Dearborn Area Board of Realtors
Sam Baydoun (L) with Gary Reggish, the President of Michigan Realtors. DEARBORN — Sam Baydoun of Century 21 Curran & Christie, is the new president of the Dearborn Area Board of Realtors, replacing Al Makled of Remax Leading Edge. The Board held it general membership meeting on Tuesday December 8, at Byblos Banquet Hall. During...
Muslim Americans praise Obama’s speech, with reservations
December 10th, 20150 "ISIL does not speak for Islam."DEARBORN — ISIS is a death cult of thugs that does not speak for Islam, President Obama said in a rare Oval Office address on Sunday.The speech was in response to the San Bernardino, CA shooting that left 14 people dead. The president sent a strongly worded message in defense of the Muslim community,...Byblos celebrates 10th anniversary, its hummus to be sold in supermarkets
Byblos Banquet Hall located at Chase and Warren Roads.DEARBORN — Byblos Banquet Hall has been intertwined in the community's fabric and history since it opened its doors in 2005. Yousef (Joe) Bazzi, co-owner of the lavish banquet hall, said the food they serve is the common factor that unites people, no matter their ethnicity. Of all...
Algerian, U.S. government and business officials discuss investments and partnerships
December 4th, 20150 Algerian delegates discuss investments and partnerships with American CEOs - The Arab American News.DEARBORN — Algerian government officials and prominent CEO's met with U.S. executives to promote business partnerships and investment between the two countries. The conference, held at The Henry Hotel on Tuesday, is described by...
Repopulating Detroit: Welcoming immigrants and refugees is necessary
December 4th, 20150 Zaki AlbokhshemDETROIT — Zaki Albokhshem, an international student from Saudi Arabia, is studying to be a special education teacher. He has been in Detroit for 10 months, and he already aspires to call the city home.Albokhshem wants to become a permanent resident. He said opportunities are plentiful in the city, and the large Arab and...Publisher Osama Siblani to appear on CBS local program “Michigan Matters”
From left to right: Brook Patterson, Denise Ilitch, Osama Siblani and host Carol Cain. DETROIT — The Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani will appear on “Michigan Matters,” in a round table discussion set to air on CBS local affiliate WWJ Channel 62 on Sunday, December 6 at 11:30 a.m. Carol Cain the host...Community celebrates 72nd anniversary of Lebanon independence
DEARBORN — Community members turned out to Byblos Banquet Hall on November 27 to celebrate the 72nd commemoration of the independence day of Lebanon. In attendance at the event were Consulate General of Lebanon-Detroit Bilal Qabalan, Abdallah Ajram, Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad, Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja,......
Detroit police chief: Armed residents reduce terror attacks
DETROIT — Police Chief James Craig said violent extremists and shooters would be less likely to target Detroit for fear armed citizens would shoot back. "A lot of Detroiters have CPLs (concealed pistol licenses) and the same rules apply to terrorists as they do to some gun-toting thug," Craig told the Detroit News. "If you’re a...
Mass shootings and the media: What is terrorism?
December 3rd, 20150 A police investigator around the suspects' vehicle in San Bernardino, Dec. 3DETROIT — Following the shooting that claimed 14 lives in San Bernardino, Ca., reporters asked Police Chief Jarrod Burguan twice about the suspects' "ethnicity" and once about their "nationality."Burguan did not answer those questions during a press conference......
Town hall addresses community image, resistance to refugees
Panelists address anti-refugee sentiment and other issues during the town hall meeting Monday, Nov. 30DEARBORN — When Mohamed kills, he represents every Muslim and Arab American. When Michael kills, he represents only Michael. That is how Walid Saleh Fidama, executive board member of the National Association of Yemeni Americans,...
Where is Sharia Law? Dearborn ranked No.1 Christmas Town in the state
December 1st, 20150 DEARBORN – Sharia Law in Dearborn? Not according to a list that ranks the best Christmas cities in the state. Onlyinyourstate.com, a website used to find attractions and events in various states, has ranked Dearborn as the No. 1 Christmas Town in Michigan. Proclaiming Dearborn as the best place to be during...DuVall Elementary to hold dinner in honor of 6-year-old who lost battle to cancer
Lexs LampDEARBORN – DuVall Elementary School will be holding a Pancake Dinner to benefit 6-year-old student Lexys Lamp who lost her battle to cancer on Monday, November 23.The young girl was diagnosed with DIPG, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Her tumor was cancerous and could not be removed because it was located in her...
Jesse Jackson, community leaders urge welcoming refugees
December 1st, 20150 Panelists at the "All Lives Matter" town hall meetingDEARBORN — After the images of drowned Syrian child Aylan Kurdi surfaced, national efforts were focused on coming to the aid of refugees. But the tone of the conversation changed after terrorist attacks in Paris last month. Now national and state politicians are speaking out......
Michigan minimum wage to increase Jan. 1
The Michigan State capitolLANSING — Michigan workers will receive a boost in pay next year. On Jan. 1, the minimum wage will increase from $8.15 to $8.50 per hour. The change to state law is the second step of a gradual 25 percent increase that will bring the minimum wage up to $9.25 by 2018. The new law, known as Act 138,...ISIS “threat” at Sterling Heights Meijer was misunderstanding
STERLING HEIGHTS — A customer's "threat" referencing ISIS that caused a Meijer store to evacuate customers on Monday was a misunderstanding, police said. The Meijer on 16 Mile and Van Dyke closed for about three hours for safety reasons. Local and national media reported on Monday evening that a customer left a backpack at......
Ron Scott, renowned civil rights advocate, dies
Ron ScottDETROIT — Ron Scott, the founder of Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, died of cancer on Sunday. He was 68.Scott was an outspoken advocate for civil rights. His group organized rallies and brought attention to violence by law enforcement agencies against citizens. The coalition notably opposed a measure to implement...Jesse Jackson to address refugee crisis at Dearborn town hall meeting
Jesse JacksonDEARBORN - Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, will weigh in on the Syrian refugee crisis at a town hall meeting in Dearborn on Sunday at 4 p.m.The meeting, dubbed "All Lives Matter: Syrian Refugees in Peril", will be open to the public. It will take place at the Lebanese......
