Rasmea Odeh supporters launch online solidarity day
On Wednesday, the Rasmea Defense Committee launched a social campaign in support of Rasmea Odeh, the Palestinian American activist who was convicted of immigration fraud. Odeh's supporters say her prosecution was politically motivated and are trying to raise awareness about the case, as the court considers her appeal. Users...State approves $28 million in immediate aid for Flint
Donated water bottlesLANSING — The State House and Senate unanimously voted to pass a supplemental bill package today, which includes $28 million in relief that will aid recovery efforts in Flint. "Thanks to the swift action of the Legislature, this $28 million will provide the immediate resources needed in Flint," Gov. Snyder said....Teachers’ union sues Detroit schools, demands removal of emergency manager
DETROIT - The union for Detroit public school teachers sued their district on Thursday demanding immediate removal of a state-appointed emergency manager and a return of local control with a plan to repair its crumbling buildings.Detroit Public Schools are under state oversight and pressured by declining enrollment and heavy pension...State seeks Middle Eastern Commission’s help to reach Flint’s Arab Americans
CMEAA meeting at the Arab American National Museum, Jan. 28DEARBORN — State government is seeking the help of the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs (CMEAA) to reach out to Arab American residents in Flint. Michael Zimmer, director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), said Lansing is looking to...Detroit pushes back against raising Marathon emissions
The Marathon refinery DETROIT — The city is pushing back against a request by Marathon Petroleum Refinery to increase emissions in Southwest Detroit. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which is already under fire for its handling of the Flint water crisis, is considering granting Marathon a permit that...
Iraqi American prisoner punished after being punched by guard
January 29th, 20160 Arshad Aljamailawi - Photo by MDOCDETROIT — A guard punched an Iraqi American inmate in the face on a bus during a prisoners' transfer and was suspended for one day only. Inmate Arshad Aljamailawi, who is said to have charged at the officer after he was assaulted and maced, was ordered to 10 days in detention and 30 days of loss of...
Large crowd attends Abbie Bazzi’s kick off campaign for judge
January 29th, 20160 Abbie Bazzi.DEARBORN — Dignitaries and community members packed Byblos Banquet Hall for Attorney Abbie Bazzi’s kick off campaign for 19th District Court Judge in Dearborn on Tuesday, January 26. Bazzi has been a managing attorney at the UAW Ford Legal Services Plan for 17 years out of the nearly 20 years she worked there. Her...Michigan governor names panel to fix Flint’s contaminated water system
Snyder at a press conference. FLINT — On Wednesday, Governor Rick Snyder appointed a group of government officials, health and other experts to implement long-term fixes for Flint's lead-contaminated water system, which has become a national scandal. The 17-member committee would recommend ways to help people exposed to lead, study...
Prescription drug addiction spreading in the community
January 29th, 20160 DEARBORN — This year has been a rough start for many families in the Arab American community, due to the untimely deaths of several young adult men. It seems every few days, social media pages are announcing the disheartening news — another young Arab male has tragically passed away. The majority of the community tends to show an...
Dearborn church calls for building bridges with Muslims
January 29th, 20160 Rev. Fran Hayes in front of the altar - Photos by The Arab American NewsDEARBORN — "God welcomes all, strangers and friends; God's love is strong and it never ends," sang Rev. Fran Hayes of Littlefield Presbyterian Church as she stood in front of the altar. Hayes, pastor of the Dearborn-based church, said her congregation begins most...
West Bloomfield keeps “welcoming” status despite anger
January 28th, 20160 A screengrab of a woman speaking against the welcoming resolution WEST BLOOMFIELD — The West Bloomfield Board turned down a request to repeal the township's "welcoming" status. At a meeting on Jan. 25, the board voted 3-2 in favor of remaining a "welcoming" city. But several residents made xenophobic statements and expressed...
Dearborn Police: We are deeply saddened by fatal shootings
January 27th, 20160 DEARBORN - Dearborn police shot and killed a suspect on Wednesday afternoon on Hubbard Avenue near the Fairlane Town Center mall in Dearborn.31-year-old Detroit resident Janet Wilson was attempting to flee the scene after a pursuit by Fairlane Town Center security and Dearborn Police.According to witnesses, she attempted to run...
UPDATE: Students were consuming edible marijuana at Riverside Middle School
January 25th, 20160 Riverside Middle School in Dearborn HeightsDEARBORN HEIGHTS – A Middle School in Dearborn Heights sent out a letter on Jan. 25 to parents regarding an incident involving students consuming marijuana in the bathroom.According to both parents and students, 8th graders were consuming edible marijuana in the form of Rice Krispie...
Arab American residents hard hit by Flint crisis
January 22nd, 20160 The Flint River. Photos: Hassan KhalifehFLINT — The water crisis has not spared anyone in the Vehicle City. On Thursday afternoon, Palestinian American activist Mona Sahouri walked over to the local offices of the United Way, a national charitable organization, to acquire four pallets of water for Arab American residents. The city...Flint man returns home after four years of captivity in Iran
FLINT — One of five Americans released from captivity in Iran reunited with his Michigan family members for the first time in 4 ½ years.Former Marine Amir Hekmati's release was part of an extraordinary weekend of diplomacy that saw the release of five Americans and the lifting of billions in international sanctions on......
Dearborn man’s disappearance leaves family puzzled
January 22nd, 20160 Sajjad Almayali's vehicle was found at Belle Isle. After an extensive search there was no leads to his disappearance. DEARBORN — It’s been more than two weeks since the disappearance of 24-year-old Sajjad Almayali, who was last seen on Tuesday, January 5, leaving his house at around 11 a.m., wearing a green jogging suit. When...
Muslim Americans lead charitable efforts in Flint
January 22nd, 20160 Muslim Americans from across Michigan donate water supplies to residents in Flint.DETROIT — During a time of crisis in Flint, the Muslim community in Michigan has placed all hands on deck to assist ailing residents exposed to toxic water. While it’s been just days since President Obama declared a state of emergency over the region,......
The Iraqi immigrant doctor who saved Flint
January 22nd, 20160 FLINT, Michigan — Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha an Iraqi immigrant, is being credited for blowing the whistle on the Flint water crisis.Her friend was a water expert who had worked for the Environmental Protection Agency when the District of Columbia encountered similar issues there more than a decade ago.When she told...Students, officials march to show “Real Dearborn”
DEARBORN — About 100 local high school students joined public officials in a march on Martin Luther King Day to dispel negative stereotypes about the city. "Unify, diversify," demonstrators chanted as they held signs while they walked in freezing weather down Michigan Avenue. Dubbed "Real Dearborn", the march was conceived and...Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs to meet January 28 in Dearborn
LANSING — The Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs (CMEAA) will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, January 28 from noon.-2 p.m., at the Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Avenue, in Dearborn. Commissioners will receive an update from the Refugee Strategy Working Group and they will review a proposed...
Dearborn man found dead in vehicle at Walgreens
January 21st, 20160 Ali Beydoun, 23, was found dead in his vehicle at the Walgreens in Dearborn. DEARBORN – The Dearborn Police Department has confirmed to The Arab American News that a man was found dead at the Walgreens on Warren Ave. and Schafer Rd. early in the morning on Thursday, Jan. 21.While the police department......
Islamic House of Wisdom to hold Q&A forum
Islamic House of WisdomDEARBORN— People with questions about Islam can join Muslims and non-Muslims for an informal question and answer forum at the Islamic House of Wisdom (IHW) on Sunday morning.In response to recent attacks by extremists, the IHW is holding an open discussion so that people of all or no faith can better understand...
Twisted Lebanese politics bring little hope to citizens and expats
January 21st, 20160 The construction site of a new minaret of St. Georges church, near al Amin mosque, BeirutDEARBORN — Unlikely alliances are common in the ever-shifting Lebanese political landscape. But when Christian leader Samir Geagea endorsed his civil war enemy and political rival Michel Aoun to be president, it came as a shock to Lebanese......
Obama visits Detroit, but not Flint
January 21st, 20160 DETROIT – Despite speculation that President Obama would also include a trip to the crisis ridden city of Flint during his visit to Michigan, his stop ended at the Auto show in Detroit. Obama did send an official for his team to Flint while he was scheduled to appear at the Auto Show. Obama...Nearly all Detroit schools closed due to teachers’ sickout
DETROIT - Nearly all public schools in Detroit were closed on Wednesday as teachers called in sick to protest conditions, the school system and teachers' union said. It was the second time in as many weeks that teachers staged a protest. A sickout on Jan. 11 closed 64 schools. All but nine of the district's 97 schools were closed,......
