Michigan courts can treat a religious marriage contract as a prenuptial agreement
It is clear that Michigan only recognizes marriages that follow the proper legal formalities. Michigan does not give any legal recognition to a religious marriage. A relationship that does not meet the statutory requirements for a legal marriage does not give rise to property rights, personal rights, or rights to support....Fractured opposition could derail Syria talks
WASHINGTON - Despite U.S. and Western pressure on the opposition to take part in U.N.-sponsored talks aimed at halting the two-and-a-half-year-old Syrian civil war, most experts here believe the rebels are unlikely to show up any time soon. And even if they do, the results will be unlikely to change much of anything on the ground.The...Encouraging Iran’s readiness for peace making
If one day Iran succeeds in establishing normal relations with the Western world, it would create a sea change for the entire Middle East.On October 15 and 16, Iran resumed negotiations in Geneva with the permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany. Iranians appear keen on “closing an unnecessary crisis and opening...
Jesse Jackson urges Arab Americans to fight injustice at ACRL Gala
October 18th, 20130 LIVONIA — Civil Rights Champion Reverend Jesse Jackson urged Arab Americans to fight injustice and stand up for their rights in the face of racism at the Arab American Civil Rights League’s (ACRL) second annual “Fight for Justice” Gala on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The event, which was emceed by Channel 7/WXYZ Reporter Nima Shaffe,...Saudi students in U.S. defy stereotypes
Detroit — Despite the negative stereotypes surrounding Saudi Arabians, many Saudis in the United States are university students. Saudi presence on American campuses has grown significantly over the past seven years. Saudis amount to 4.5 percent of international students in the country.In universities throughout Michigan, Saudis rank...Legal corner: Verbal agreements are almost always enforceable
It is generally good advice to reduce agreements to writing. For obvious reasons, a well-written, thorough agreement between contracting parties usually prevents or resolves many disputes arising out of the subsequent relationship between the parties. First and foremost, relying on the memories of the parties to determine the...Edsel Ford hires reading literacy coach in wake of “priority school” ranking
DEARBORN - During a meeting on October 14, the Dearborn Public School Board approved the appointment of a "reading literacy coach" at Edsel Ford High School, less than three months after the school was ranked one of the worst in the State by the Michigan Department of Education.The appointment of Gretchen Bajorek will aim to provide...YABA distributes scholarships, honors activists at 44th Annual Dinner
DEARBORN - The Yemeni American Benevolent Association (YABA) held a ceremony, celebrating its 44th anniversary on Saturday Oct. 12. Numerous community leaders and elected officials were in attendance. A host of speakers, including U.S. Congressman Gary Peters, Henry Ford Community College President Stan Jensen and Judge Sam Salamey took...Federal judge may rule on legality of Michigan’s gay marriage ban
DETROIT — April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, a lesbian couple from suburban Detroit, are challenging a state ban that Michigan voters placed in their constitution nine years ago, regarding same-sex marriage, in federal court this month. The law also prevents single people from jointly adopting children in Michigan.DeBoer has...Poetry Corner: Nostalgia to Forgetfulness.
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.Nostalgia to Forgetfulness.Darkness. I fell on the bed, touched by a question:Where am I? I looked for my body, so I felt...State, City and creditors squabble at hearings over Detroit bankruptcy eligibility
DETROIT — Lawyers for retiree groups and unions argued before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes this week that the U.S. Constitution and the Michigan Constitution should block the filing of Detroit's Bankruptcy.One of the most problematic issues with the bankruptcy comes down to creditors arguing that the State has no right to...Chaldean American appointed to state transportation commission
LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Ron Boji, of Orchard Lake, to the state Transportation Commission. Boji is Chaldean.The six-member commission is the policy-making body for all state transportation programs.“Ron has enjoyed a distinguished career and I look forward to his contributions to this important...“Daddy Long Legs” sculpture is October feature in Dearborn’s “Art in Public Places” exhibit
DEARBORN — Twelve sculptures have been placed throughout Dearborn, as part of the community’s 2013-2014 Art in Public Places - Midwest Sculpture Initiative (MSI).Funding for the project is provided by the Dearborn Community Fund (DCF) and the East and West Dearborn Downtown Development Authorities. Each month a different sculpture...
Local pilgrims assaulted by sectarian extremists at Hajj
October 18th, 20130 DEARBORN — Arab American pilgrims from the Metro Detroit area where attacked and assaulted, for what appears to be sectarian reasons, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, while performing the rituals of Hajj in Mina, Saudi Arabia.Mina is a town near Mecca, where pilgrims sleep in tents and stone three pillars, representing the devil, with seven...Detroit City Council seeks to cut Belle Isle lease to 10 years
DETROIT— The Detroit City Council on Monday unanimously rejected a plan to lease the 985-acre Belle Isle Park to the State for 30 years, proposing a 10-year deal instead.The 30-year lease that Gov. Rick Snyder and Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr signed on Oct. 1 would make Belle Isle a state park, saving Detroit $6 million annually in......
Kevin Clinton named State treasurer,Ann Flood to head DIFS
LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder, on Tuesday, announced the appointment of Kevin Clinton, currently the director of the State Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), as the new State treasurer. Clinton replaces Andy Dillon, who submitted his resignation last week.Dillon cited his recent divorce as the reason for his...Rock Ventures purchases two additional properties in downtown Detroit
DETROIT — Rock Ventures and its real estate arm, Bedrock Real Estate Services, recently announced the purchase of two downtown properties – 1505 Woodward Avenue and 1265 Griswold Street -- adding 84,000 square feet to its growing real estate holdings. In nearly three years, Rock Ventures has acquired more than 40 properties,......
Study reveals retention of international students can help fill Michigan’s 274,000 stem field jobs
DETROIT — According to a study, by 2018, Michigan will need to fill 274,000 STEM field jobs. The Global Talent Retention Initiative of Michigan, the nation’s first international student retention effort, targets some of the most important talent who can help to fill those jobs critical to the State’s success in the new...Newly opened ‘Planet Halloween’ store seeks to thrill local shoppers
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The shopping plaza at the corner of Ford Rd. and Beech Daly has welcomed a new, spooky addition to its line-up this month. Planet Halloween is a party store that aims to provide local residents with the ultimate Halloween experience, through the availability of supplies, such as costumes, cosmetics, decorations...Former CNN Chief Business Correspondent, Ali Velshi, to keynote AACC gala
DETROIT — Ali Velshi, the host of Al Jazeera America's nightly business series, will serve as the keynote speaker at the American Arab Chamber of Commerce’s Building Economic Bridges Gala at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center on Oct. 25. Previously, Velshi was CNN's Chief Business Correspondent, anchor of CNN...ADC calls for renewed focus and community healing in Michigan
DEARBORN — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee’s board of directors recently issued a statement, calling for community healing and unity in Michigan and pledging a renewed focus for its mission of protecting the civil rights and liberties of Arab Americans.The statement was made, following the completion of ADC’s......
World health group at WSU brings medical relief to needy worldwide
DETROIT — The World Health Student Organization (WHSO) at Wayne State University’s (WSU) School of Medicine continues to serve underprivileged communities in different countries through its humanitarian missions. The group is comprised of students who hope to gain rich medical and cultural experiences outside of their immediate...Lebanese legendary singer Wadih al-Safi, 91, dies
BEIRUT - Wadih al-Safi, a Lebanese music legend renowned throughout the Arab world for his singing talent, has died at the age of 91, the official Lebanese National News Agency reported.He passed away on the night of Friday , Oct. 11, Lebanon's NNA said."He was with his son in Mansouriya (near Beirut) when he began to feel unwell... He......
MPT to mark 20th anniversary in their fight for peace and justice for Palestinians
As international military continues to pursue more sophisticated technology for warfare and seek to intensify military might, a peace team in Michigan remains committed to a nonviolent alternative to militarism and violence, through empowered peacemaking.Meta Peace Team, formerly the Michigan Peace Team, was founded in 1993, as a...Bridge Card/EBT Disruption
People are experiencing difficulty using their Bridge Cards. In 17 states, including Michigan (Bridge Card), experienced a disruption. The systems vendor for all of these states, Xerox-ACS, has issued the following statement about the problem:"During a routine test of our back-up systems Saturday morning, Xerox’s......
