ICA distributes gifts to the needy in celebration of prophet Mohammed’s birthday
January 16th, 20150 DEARBORN — On Saturday, Jan. 10 hundreds gathered at the Islamic Center of America (ICA) in Dearborn in celebration of the prophet Mohammed’s birthday. To commemorate that event, attendees wrapped gifts for needy children. Charitable giving is one of the pillars of Islam and this event was one of several held around metro...
Third Detroit man to stand trial for killing French street artist
January 16th, 20150 DETROIT — A judge ruled on Tuesday that a third Detroit man accused in the killing of a 23-year-old French street artist will stand trial for his 2013 shooting death, prosecutors said. Following a hearing, Drequone Rich, 20, was bound over for trial in Wayne County Circuit Court. Last week, Judge Michael Wagner ruled that his...Teen dies one day after meeting Eminem
ROCHESTER HILLS — Gage Garmo, a 17-year-old Chaldean Rochester High School senior who battled cancer, died on Monday, just one day after meeting hip hop superstar Eminem. The Rochester Hills based charity The Rainbow Connection arranged the meeting between the terminally ill teen and the rapper. According to the charity, Eminem,...Judge: Michigan must recognize marriages of 300 same-sex couples
DETROIT — Michigan must recognize the legal marriages of about 300 same-sex couples who were wed in the state in a one-day period last year after a federal court struck down a ban on gay marriage and before the decision was put on hold by a U.S. appeals court, a judge ruled Thursday, Jan. 14. The same-sex couples who married in...Charges against ‘Santa Claus’ shooter will not be dropped
DETROIT — On Thursday, a judge said the criminal charges filed against Marcus Weldon, the 26-year-old “Santa Claus” shooter who injured two Arab American men at a Detroit gas station Dec. 21, will not be dropped and the case will go to trial. “We are happy with the judge’s decision and so relieved,” Yemeni American...Community activist collects donations for Penrickton Center for Blind Children
TAYLOR—Community activist Khodr Farhat recently collected donations for the Taylor based Penrickton Center for Blind Children. The center offers free services to children who are blind. Farhat, who is in his twenties was born blind and moved to the United States from Lebanon in 2009. He has received several awards and...Local high school student accepted at Harvard
DEARBORN—Fordson High School student Mohammad Ziad Abdulghani was recently accepted at Harvard University. The Ivy League school is known as one of the most prestigious universities in the world and had a 5.9 acceptance rate as of 2014.Last year, The Arab American News reported that eight Arab Americans from Dearborn were accepted at...
Altercations, intoxication and overcrowding common at Dearborn parties
January 9th, 20150 City officials have addressed concerns of overcrowding at local evening parties in Dearborn.DEARBORN — Most establishments in the city have aimed to implement a family-friendly cultural atmosphere, but every once in a while that image appears to be distorted when alcohol and egos cross paths. For example, local authorities swarmed...
State Sen. Knezek appoints local activist Zaineb Hussein to his staff
January 9th, 20150 Zeineb Hussein. DEARBORN HEIGHTS — This week, State Senator David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) announced the hiring of Dearborn Heights resident Zaineb Hussein to serve in a full time position as the director of Constituent Services in his Lansing office. Hussein, 31, has emerged as an advocate and leader in the Dearborn and Dearborn...
Sayed Qazwini calls for reforms at the Islamic Center of America
January 9th, 20150 DEARBORN — Sayed Hassan Qazwini, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Center for America (ICA), called for reforms at the center and criticized limiting its potential, adding that its doors should be open to everybody. "Are there imperfections? Yes. Are there mistakes? Yes. Are there reforms that need to happen? Yes," Qazwini said of...
Yemeni activist outraged over ‘Santa Claus’ shooter being called a hero
January 9th, 20150 Marcus Weldon, 26, was dressed in a Santa Claus suit when he shot Saleh Rifai in the hand and Amar Aldani in the chest at a downtown Detroit gas station over a confrontation between the 29-year-old men that reportedly started over an argument about “Santa’s girlfriend, Mrs. Claus.” When one of the men ran to his car,...
PART THREE: Are industrial sources near schools jeopardizing students’ health?
January 9th, 20150 A fence separates Salina Elementary School in Dearborn's southend from industrial sources, including the former Severstal plant that is pictured here right across from the school DEARBORN — Southend resident Ranaa Saaidi often worried about her 10-year-old son breathing in toxins at school this summer. Saaidi's son, who...Residents cautioned about Wayne County jury duty scam
WAYNE COUNTY — The Third Judicial Circuit Court of Wayne County has learned of a telephone scam regarding missed jury duty. The scam artist will call and advise the person that jury duty was missed and a fine of $500 has to be paid immediately or the person will be subject to arrest or an arrest warrant will be...
Muslim organizations donate $100,000 to help prevent water shut-offs for Detroiters
January 9th, 20150 DETROIT — The Muslim community of Michigan is stepping forward with a contribution to support Detroit residents who are facing hardship from water shut-offs. The Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC), in partnership with Islamic Relief USA (IR USA) –the largest Muslim charity organizations in the United States – is giving...
2014 year in review
January 9th, 20150 Here’s our 2014 year-in-review of the most important news and developments as reported by The Arab American News locally, nationally and internationally.Top local storiesDetroit water crisis makes international headlines The Detroit water crisis has received international attention since it first began in March when the city’s......
Dearborn dollar store robbery suspects arrested
DEARBORN — On Dec. 29 at approximately 7:50 p.m. three men robbed the Dollar General store located on the 7600 block of Wyoming. The suspects selected several pieces of store merchandise and approached the checkout counter to pay for the items. One suspect paid for the merchandise. When the register was opened the second suspect...$100,000 donation by MMCC and Islamic Relief USA to prevent water shutoffs for Detroiters
DEARBORN—The Muslim community of Michigan is stepping forward with a contribution to support Detroit residents who are facing hardship from water shut offs. The Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC) in partnership with Islamic Relief USA (IR USA) –the largest Muslim charity organizations in the United......
DHS announces redesignation and extension of TPS for Syrian nationals
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally announced that the Secretary of Homeland Security Jen Johnson, has approved a request made by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) to extend and redesignate Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals currently in the United States. In...Pioneer, visionary and Muslim leader Dr. Maher Hathout dies
Last night, the world lost a pioneer, visionary and a leader of the American Muslim community.Dr. Maher Hathout (1936-2015) was a leader for Islam and for humanity, a voice for the voiceless, a patriot, a poet, a physician, a friend and a family man. He made an indelible impression on everyone he met. Born in...ADC-Michigan announces 16th annual Martin Luther King Scholarship Program
DEARBORN—The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) of Michigan recently announced its sixteenth annual scholarship essay contest, Arab and Chaldean Americans Celebrate the Life and Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sixteen years ago, ADC implemented this program with the intention of honoring our nation's greatest...Trash delayed one day for New Year’s; holiday closings outlined
Curbside trash and recycling pickup will be on a normal scheduled on Wednesday, New Year’s Eve. Curbside trash and recycling collection will be delayed one day starting on New Year’s Day, which is Thursday, Jan. 1. Thursday’s trash district will be picked up on Friday. Friday’s trash district will be picked up on Saturday.......
Sayed Hassan Qazwini responds to accusations in attack letters
December 25th, 20140 Sayed Qazwini.DEARBORN — Sayed Hassan Qazwini, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of America (ICA), responded for the first time to a series of anonymous letters attacking him and the center in an interview with The Arab American News. The letters, sent via mail to homes across Dearborn, accuse Qazwini of corruption,...
Annapolis student’s home vandalized following cries of alleged bullying
December 25th, 20140 Almawri (center) sits next to her mother (left) and ACRL Chairman Nabih Ayad (right).DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Bullying and discrimination targeting an Arab American student at Annapolis High School has only intensified since she and her mother spoke with The Arab American News last month. Last week, the Arab-American Civil Rights League......
Dearborn billboard speaks out against female genital mutilation
December 25th, 20140 DEARBORN — Female genital mutilation (FGM) is often associated with Muslim majority countries, but women’s rights activists say there is a prevalence of the abusive practice in the United States. A Dearborn billboard that is part of a national campaign to shine a light on the practice quotes President Obama saying "Female Genital...
Beyond bankruptcy
December 25th, 20140 (L to R): Yolanda, Erin, Joshua, Gwendolyn and Levon Peoples, Sr.Democracy has been restored to the people in the city of Detroit, according to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes. This month, Rhodes approved Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr’s plan that will keep the city under oversight for the next 13 years. Detroit’s bankruptcy— the......
