Muslim man accused of trying to establish campground to train terrorists
July 28th, 20150 SalhaDETROIT—Nayef Salha, a Dearborn resident was denied a permit to establish a campground in northern Michigan after neighbors accused him of trying to use it to train terrorists. Salha, a father of seven said all he wanted to do was build a secular peaceful summer youth camp in Michigan. Salha was shocked by the accusations....
Registered voters encouraged to cast ballots in Aug. 4 elections
July 28th, 20150 LANSING—All eligible voters are encouraged to cast their ballots in local elections on Tuesday, Aug. 4. According to Secretary of State Ruth Johnson 46 counties in Michigan are holding elections. “Because many of these elections are for schools, townships and cities, everyone’s vote is essential,”...
Muslim group offers condolences to families of Chattanooga victims
July 27th, 20150 DETROIT—The Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC) stands with other American Muslim organizations across the country in condemning the attack and offering prayers and condolences to the families of the Chattanooga shooting victims. “Our hearts go out to the loved ones who are...
Yemeni businessman competes in Hamtramck City Council race
July 27th, 20150 AlsomiriHAMTRAMCK— Mohamed Alsomiri, a Yemeni American, is one of nine candidates competing in the race for Hamtramck City Council. He is also one of two Yemeni American candidates. The other is Saad Almasmari. The primary election will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Only six candidates will compete in...
Attorney Zeina S. Djurovski joins Gary Peter’s staff
July 23rd, 20150 DjurovskiDETROIT— Zeina S. Djurovski, an attorney at the law office of Ayad and Associates and a board member of the Arab American Civil Rights League, recently accepted a position as constituent services representative with United States Senator Gary Peters’ (D- Mich.) office. Djurovski is a graduate of...
Local experts share thoughts on Iran nuclear agreement
July 23rd, 20150 Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Local experts on the Middle East agree that the historic agreement reached between world powers and Iran over its nuclear program both prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and opens doors for cooperation between the United States and...
New charter school dedicated to preserving culture of Iraq’s indigenous people
July 23rd, 20150 MADISON HEIGHTS — As Iraq’s Christian population continues to diminish, the language, culture and history of Chaldeans, Assyrians and Syriacs are also dying. “Right now, we are on the verge of extinction,” said Nathan Kalasho, a local Chaldean activist. Today, only a projected few hundred thousand Christians...
Tired of media bias, more Arab Americans are becoming journalists
July 23rd, 20150 DETROIT — More Arab Americans are pursuing journalism careers to combat stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream media. As the American media turned their attention to the Arab World after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the recent turmoil in the Middle East, more Americans became increasingly interested in Arab and Muslim cultures and...
New Dearborn superintendent pursues unique educational initiatives
July 23rd, 20150 Maleyko.DEARBORN — Despite taking on the position of the new superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools less than a month ago, Glenn Maleyko has already outlined several unique initiatives he plans on pursuing for the benefit of the district’s nearly 20,000 students. According to the passionate longtime educator, more than 60...
Fall registration now open at Henry Ford College
July 23rd, 20150 DEARBORN — Students can now register for fall courses at Henry Ford College. The fall semester begins Thursday, Aug. 27. HFC offers courses and programs that respond to the changing needs of students, community and corporate partners. In addition, HFC continues to develop relationships with industry sectors and organizations that...
Dearborn Board of Education appoints Fadwa Alawieh
July 23rd, 20150 Alawieh.DEARBORN – On Monday, June 20, the Dearborn Board of Education selected Fadwa Alawieh to fill the vacant seat left by former trustee Aimee Schoelles, who resigned last month after accepting a job in Ohio.Alawieh was one of 20 Dearborn residents who applied for the position. The school board conducted 15 minute interviews with...
BREAKING: Gov. Rick Snyder declares financial emergency in Wayne County
July 22nd, 20150 Wayne County Executive Warren Evans DETROIT—Gov. Rick Snyder confirmed Thursday that a financial emergency exists in Wayne County. The announcement comes after Snyder appointed a review team to closely examine Wayne County’s finances. This week, the team determined a financial emergency exists. Snyder had 10...
Dearborn City Council refers parks smoking ban to Recreation Commission
July 21st, 20150 DEARBORN— The city council will not vote at tonight’s meeting on an ordinance that would ban smoking at city-owned parks. It has referred the proposal to the recreation commission, which will make recommendations to amend the ordinance.However, according to the council and commission's calendars, it is unlikely that the ordinance...
Updated: Two arrested suspects linked to larceny and home invasions
July 20th, 20150 ChoucairDEARBORN — An Arab American woman and her male accomplice were arrested on July 14 after Dearborn Police responded to a breaking and entering 911 call.Alicia Choucair, 21, and Derrick Fletcher are believed to be linked to a string of home and car invasions in both Dearborn and Dearborn...
Councilman Abraham: My commitment to the community is unwavering
July 17th, 20150 DEARBORN — After supporting a string of ordinances that some Arab Americans perceived as targeting them, Councilman Robert Abraham's connection with his Arab American identity has been questioned. But in an interview with The Arab American News, the councilman said he is loyal to his heritage, which has helped shape him as a......
Arab American presence in Michigan Democratic Party solidified
July 17th, 20150 New MDP chair Brandon Dillon (C) with the head of the Dearborn Democratic Club Sami Khaldi and his wife Sahar Khaldi, who is also a political activist.PORT HURON — The Michigan Democratic Party elected a new chairperson at its annual convention in Port Huron on July 11. The gathering also solidified the role of Arab Americans within...
Dearborn Police lead collaborative initiative that captured thousands of criminals
July 17th, 20150 Chief Haddad at a press conference. DEARBORN — On Thursday, July 16, the Dearborn Police Department held a press conference with multiple law enforcement agencies in the Henry Ford Centennial Library auditorium to share details of their "Operation Blue Light III" initiative. Introduced in 2014, with the participation of agencies from......
Dearborn Board of Education searches for candidate following trustee vacancy
July 17th, 20150 DEARBORN — Following the departure of former School Board President Aimee Schoelles, who has taken a job in Ohio, the Dearborn Board of Education has begun the process of filling her seat. 20 residents submitted the necessary paperwork expressing their interest in becoming a Dearborn Public Schools/Henry Ford College Board Trustee....
Dearborn Schools bid farewell to Board President Aimee Schoelles
July 17th, 20150 Darany presented Shoelles a certificate from the the state. DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Schools officials bid farewell to Board of Education President Aimee Schoelles during a gathering on Monday, July 13 at the Administrative building. Schoelles resigned from her position this month after accepting a new job in Ohio, requiring her to...Dearborn Heights woman contestant in Miss Arab USA pageant
DETROIT— For Heba Aloussi one of the most exciting things about competing in the Miss Arab USA pageant is forming new friendships with other contestants. “I am looking forward to meeting all the different contestants. There is such a diverse group of women with different nationalities who represent different nations in the...
Dearborn Heights mayor holds annual iftar dinner
July 15th, 20150 DEARBORN HEIGHTS—On Thursday, July 9 Dearborn Heights Mayor Dan Paletko held an iftar dinner at Al Shallal Banquet Room. The city has a sizable Muslim population. Paletko holds an iftar dinner every Ramadan for the Muslim community. About 150 people attended the iftar including local community leaders and businessmen. Paletko......
Local lawmakers weigh in on the Iran deal
July 15th, 20150 DETROIT — Several members of Congress from Michigan said they are studying the nuclear agreement with Iran before making a definitive decision on it. While Democratic lawmakers appeared to be more welcoming of the deal, local U.S. representatives from both parties agreed that Iran should not be given a path to an atomic...
Dealership donates car to single mother
July 15th, 20150 Elashkar and his son at Ford Road Motor Sales' office in DearbornDEARBORN—After Mike Elashkar, general manager of Ford Road Motor Sales, learned a needy single mother’s car was stolen, he decided to help by donating a 2006 Malibu. Stefanie Irvine’s old Dodge Neon was stolen from Cass Avenue in Detroit while she was taking......
Henry Ford College fall 2015 registration is open
July 15th, 20150 DEARBORN—Students can now register for fall 2015 courses at Henry Ford College. The fall semester begins Thursday, Aug. 27. HFC offers courses and programs that respond to the changing needs of students, community and corporate partners. In addition, HFC continues to develop relationships...
Police investigating Bint Jebail Cultural Center vandalism
July 14th, 20150 DEARBORN — The police are seeking the public's assistance in finding out who is responsible for defacing the Bint Jebail Cultural Center last week. The center was vandalized with graffiti-sprayed statements, relating to Sayed Hassan Qazwini, who had been hosting Ramadan evenings at the banquet hall."The Qazwini and Iraq Club,"......
