State will not appeal court decision on 300 same-sex marriages
LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder said Wednesday that he will not appeal U.S. District Court Judge Mark Goldsmith’s ruling recognizing the validity of the approximately 300 same-sex couples married in four counties on March 22, 2014 and issued the following statement: “The judge has determined that same-sex couples were legally married...
Former executive director of Michigan Department of Civil Rights dies
February 6th, 20150 BINGHAM FARMS — Daniel Krichbaum, the former executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR), died on Tuesday, Feb. 3 after a cerebral hemorrhage following a stroke, according to relatives. He was 72. Krichbaum spent decades championing civil rights. Many Arab American leaders considered Krichbaum a close...
LAHC scholarship application deadline April 6
February 6th, 20150 DEARBORN — The Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC) is celebrating its 27th annual gala on Friday, May 8 at the Adoba Hotel in Dearborn. The last day to apply for a scholarship from the LAHC’s Arab American Scholarship Foundation Program is Monday, April 6. Throughout the past 27-years, the program has awarded more...Michigan Democratic lawmakers back MENA category on the Census
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Senator Debbie Stabenow and Senator Gary Peters sent a letter to U.S. Census Bureau Director John Thompson this week in support of a proposal to test a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) category for inclusion in the 2020 Census. According to the Arab American Institute, Michigan...
The Islamic Center Board suspends Sayed Qazwini for two months
February 5th, 20150 DEARBORN — Sayed Hassan Qazwini will leave the Islamic Center of America for at least two months, while the center's Board of Trustees discusses the responsibilities of the spiritual leader, revises the bylaws and finds a solution for the issues at the ICA, a board member said. The board came to this decision on Wednesday...Man walks naked on I-75 in the middle of a snowstorm
AUBURN HILLS—A man was videotaped walking naked down the middle of I-75 during last weekend’s snowstorm. Francis Gojcaj, a driver who witnessed the incident and recorded it on his phone, also posted a video online showing the man walking along the freeway in the altogether. Concerned citizens began...
Arab American family alleges harassment by Delta agent, passenger
February 3rd, 20150 DETROIT — A passenger on a Delta plane leaving from Florida to Detroit harassed an Arab American family on board, and the airplane crew did not address the racial intimidation, according to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).The victim, Darlene Hider who was traveling with her husband and four children...Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan stresses snow shoveling safety
DETROIT—Michigan experienced record snow falls over the past two days, forcing residents to head outdoors to clear driveways and walkways. Physicians at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network recommend residents keep heart health in mind and pace themselves when clearing snow from...
Business owners urged to attend smoking lounge study session before ordinance finalized
January 30th, 20150 A business owner addresses the city council on Tuesday, Jan. 27.DEARBORN — Local business owners are urged to attend a smoking lounge meeting being held by city officials on Tuesday, February 3 at 7.p.m. at the Dearborn Administrative Center. The meeting concerns a new smoking lounge ordinance that is being finalized by the city,...
Iraqi couple has plans for newly purchased dealership
January 30th, 20150 Basam and Tanya Robin the new owners of Superior Buick GMC.DEARBORN — After 35 years, Superior Buick GMC is under new ownership. Basam and Tanya Robin have purchased the business from its original owner, Walter Schwartz, making the dealership one of the few GMC dealer franchises owned and operated by Iraqi immigrants. Although...
Arab Americans committed to combating pollution
January 30th, 20150 More than 100 Arab Americans attended the forum on combating pollution.DEARBORN — Arab Americans are becoming more environmentally active and seem determined to combat pollution. On Sunday, Jan. 25, more than 100 people attended the forum “Combating Pollution” at the American Moslem Society, where literature was distributed...
Arab American selected to represent USA Rugby Sevens National team in Wellington, New Zealand
January 30th, 20150 DEARBORN — National Team Recruitment Camp standout Ahmad Harajly, 21, could earn his first cap with the Men’s Eagles Sevens after Head Coach Mike Friday selected the Detroit Tradesmen player for Wellington Sevens, the fourth leg of the 2014-15 World Rugby HSBC Sevens World Series. Harajly and Mataiyasi Leuta were the two athletes...
Army veteran visits Dearborn, discovers it’a not under sharia law
January 30th, 20150 DEARBORN — Army Veteran Adam Joliff made national news recently after visiting Dearborn and "discovering" it wasn’t under sharia law. Brian Stone, a reporter for the Huffington Post, visited Dearborn with his friend Joliff and decided to help debunk the longtime myth. In a blog entitled “Hilarious: Army Veteran Debunks...
Kuwait arrests activists over anti-Saudi tweets
January 30th, 20150 KUWAIT CITY — Kuwaiti authorities have detained several online activists for allegedly comments deemed offensive to Saudi Arabia's late King Abdullah, a rights group and activists said Thursday. Secret police late Wednesday arrested prominent rights and online activist Mohammad al-Ajmi outside his home for "unknown reasons," the...
GM honors Sammy Cheaito as a top sales consultant for GMC for 2014
January 30th, 20150 (L-R) Jeff Kern - GM Zone Manager, Golden Tate - Lions wide receiver, Sammy Cheaito and Scott Williams - GM District Manager.DEARBORN — Sammy Cheaito is a veteran car salesman and long-time employee at Superior Buick GMC and earned the 2014 Top Sales Award for GMC brands. He was presented with an award by Duncan Aldred,......
Reactions to local woman’s lawsuit highlights extreme Islamophobia
January 30th, 20150 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — A local woman was thrown into the national spotlight last week after she filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Dearborn Heights Police Department for forcing her to remove her hijab when she was arrested last July. Strong reactions rooted with racism and hate seemed to be a commonality amongst the...
Islamic academic institute Great Revelations gears up for opening
January 30th, 20150 Great Revelations, located at 6400 Miller Rd. will be enrolling pre-K-12th grade students from Feb. 1 through March 15.DEARBORN — A new non-profit Islamic academic institution that has been in the works for the last three years is gearing up for its grand opening later this year. Great Revelations Academy, located at 6400......
Public records to become cheaper because of changes to Michigan FOIA
MICHIGAN — Because of the new changes to Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act, public records are expected to become cheaper and easier to access. Government agencies will no longer charge more than 10 cents per page for copies of public records. Under the new changes to Michigan FOIA law, government agencies can also face...
Sayed Qazwini resignation divides community
January 23rd, 20150 Sayed Hassan QazwiniDEARBORN — Sayed Hassan Qazwini, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of America (ICA), resigned on Friday, Jan. 23. Speaking to a crowd of young Muslims later that day, the sayed said he would go back on his resignation if the ICA board of trustees is dissolved and the bylaws are suspended. However, the...
Mandaloun Bistro brings north Lebanon to the northern suburbs
January 23rd, 20150 BINGHAM FARMS — With black leather chairs, white curtains, an elegant piano and modern art hung on the walls, Mandaloun Bistro looks like a contemporary restaurant on the east coast. But the Bingham Farms eatery specializes in the most traditional, homemade, northern Lebanese cuisine. Owner Melissa Bitar said northern Lebanese...
Dearborn to pass new hookah lounge laws
January 23rd, 20150 DEARBORN – The Dearborn City Council is in the process of adapting a new ordinance that will only permit hookah lounges with a state exemption to conduct business, following a six month moratorium that banned new smoking establishments from opening within city limits. The move is a response to the influx of hookah lounges that......
Local educators back Obama’s proposal for free community college
January 23rd, 20150 DEARBORN — Millions of Americans may have the opportunity to attend community college tuition-free under a proposed plan by President Obama to expand the access of higher education for the lower and middle classes. The Universal Community College Plan would provide two years of free community college for students if they maintain a...
PART FOUR: MEDC was involved in state environmental group’s permitting process
January 23rd, 20150 Malek Ali, a resident of Dearborn's southend, forwarded this photo of what she described as a "devastating" air pollution violation that occurred at AK Steel's facility on Dec. 20. Residents complained about the "unbearable" odor from the facility that day. DEARBORN — A series of emails between the Michigan Economic Development......
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel reopened after bomb scare
January 23rd, 20150 DETROIT — Chairman Gary Woronchak has announced committee appointments for the 2015-16 Wayne County Commission, which for the first time in 12 years will work alongside a new county administration and new county executive. Commissioners Joseph Palamara (D-Grosse Ile Twp.), Raymond E. Basham (D-Taylor), Burton Leland...
Community organizations pay tribute to Dr. King
January 23rd, 20150 DEARBORN — Arab and Muslim American community organizations paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the national holiday dedicated to him, Monday, Jan. 19. The Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights held an interfaith dinner on Sunday, Jan. 18 to honor King's legacy. The event was attended by Muslim, Christian......
