“Mock eviction” pro-Palestinian stunt causes a stir at UM-Ann Arbor campus
December 13th, 20130 ANN ARBOR — About 1,500 University of Michigan students were startled this week after waking up on Tuesday morning with eviction notices under their doors at six dormitories across campus."If you do not vacate the premises by 13 DECEMBER 6 PM, we reserve the right to demolish your premises without delay. We cannot be held responsible...GM names first female CEO
DETROIT — General Motors Co CEO Dan Akerson will step down next month and be replaced by GM "lifer" and global product chief Mary Barra, a sign that the development of new vehicles will be the paramount focus of the company that emerged from bankruptcy four years ago.The appointment of Barra, 51, is at once groundbreaking - she...Detroit’s bankruptcy focus of new reporting collaborative: New Michigan Media newspapers join the effort
DETROIT – Five of the largest ethnic and minority newspapers have a critical role in a new reporting project examining the city’s bankruptcy and its effect on the region. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the project involves four nonprofit media organizations as well as New Michigan Media (NMM). All the media...Civil rights group hosts new special agent in charge of Detroit FBI
Special agent in charge, Paul Abbate (3rd from right) stands with members of the Arab community when they met earlier this week.DEARBORN — On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Arab American Civil Rights League board members hosted a lunch for the new special agent in charge of the Detroit FBI, Paul Abbate. Other representatives from the Detroit FBI...Chaldean American Jack Seman remembered as a peace activist
DEARBORN HEIGHTS-Jack Seman, a member of the Chaldean Catholic community who used to participate in many interfaith and weekly religious services at the Islamic House of Wisdom here (IHW) passed away Dec. 5 peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Seman was born in 1935. Imam Elahi of the IHW addressed Seman’s family and...Dearborn Police seek public’s assistance in Chase Bank Robbery
DEARBORN — Police are still investigating a robbery that occurred at Chase Bank located at 7301 Wyoming on Oct. 25 at approximately 2:29 p.m. The suspect entered the bank and passed the teller a note demanding money. He left after becoming impatient when he did not receive the money quickly enough.The suspect was described...ACRL, law firms litigating class action lawsuit against Huntington Bank
DEARBORN — After receiving hundreds of calls from Arab Americans about bank account closures, the Arab American Civil Rights League is litigating a class-action lawsuit filed against Huntington Bank on July 11, 2013. Since March of this year, hundreds of complainants have called the bank closure hotline that was set up after members...Dearborn man sentenced to 14 months in prison for violating Clean Air Act
DETROIT — Khalil (Charlie) Mahmoud Saad of Dearborn was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Paul Borman for violating the Clean Air Act.In November Saad, 40, was hired to demolish a vacant commercial warehouse at 10401 Ford Road, just west of Wyoming. Authorities say Saad failed to properly...Project Dignity and LAHC team up to feed the needy
DEARBORN — Project Dignity Detroit and the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC) have been working together to help feed the needy in metro Detroit. Recently, both groups partnered up with Chef Habib Bazzi of Habib's Cuisine to feed the homeless and provide them with clothing and shelter. Project Dignity has been at the forefront...Dearborn Heights woman sentenced to four years in jail, victim’s family speaks out
DETROIT — On Wednesday, December 11, Wayne County Judge Vera Massey Jones sentenced Dearborn Heights woman Natalie Hassan to 47 month in jail for charges stemming from an altercation in April 2012 involving another woman.Hassan ran over Dearborn Heights woman Hannan Achkar in the parking lot of an apartment complex after the two...ACC receives Beacon of Light Award from Food Bank Council of Michigan
LATHRUP VILLAGE — The Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC), a human services organization serving southeast Michigan, announced it recently received the 2013 Beacon of Light Award from the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) for its Pantry of Plenty Program. The award was presented to the ACC at the FBCM’s Michigan Harvest...Law corner: Michigan’s Lemon Law Only Applies in Some Circumstances
Many people are familiar with the concept of a car being a “lemon.” The phrase is commonly used to describe a vehicle that gives the owner difficulty from the very beginning. Michigan has a “Lemon Law” that affords buyers of defective vehicles rights. However, the Lemon Law does not apply every time someone buys...ADC-MI cancels upcoming gala scheduled for Dec. 13
The American Arab Anti Discrimination of Michigan canceled its upcoming gala that was scheduled to take place Friday, Dec. 13 where people planned to protest over the handling of the group's sexual harassment scandal.A statement issued by the organization’s new incoming director, Fatina Abdrabboh reads as follows: Dear ADC...Federal judge declares Detroit officially bankrupt: Cuts coming for Detroit creditors, pensioners
DETROIT — A federal judge on Tuesday, December 3, formally declared Detroit bankrupt, a landmark ruling that clears the way for potentially sweeping cuts to city worker pensions and retirement benefits and for steep and possibly precedent-setting losses to the cash-strapped city's bond holders. The ruling by U.S. Judge Steven Rhodes,...
New FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Abbate meets with leaders, listens to community’s concerns
December 6th, 20130 Special Agent in Charge Paul M. Abbate.DEARBORN — Paul M. Abbate, the new Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Detroit Division visited The Arab American News’ (TAAN) office on Nov. 25 as part of a series of meetings to introduce himself to the region’s Arab and Muslim communities. TAAN conducted a short introductory interview......
Ollie’s restaurant celebrates grand opening of third location
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The Middle Eastern cuisine market might seem overcrowded in Metro Detroit, home to the largest Arab American population outside of the Middle East. But for Ali Hojaij, owner of Ollie’s restaurants, it’s a field with plenty more potential and growth for new investments.This week, Hojaij celebrated the...
Samer Khalaf replaces Warren David as ADC president
December 6th, 20130 DEARBORN — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) terminated Warren David as its national president and on Wednesday, Dec. 4 appointed Attorney Samer Khalaf as his successor. A statement by the organization thanked David for his service and said that he was "no longer employed with ADC as of Nov. 26," without......
Legal corner: Remember, credit card debt has to be paid back
Young people tend to be careless with their finances. Whether because of lack of education, lack of experience or a general sense of invincibility, young people often find themselves in debt that they have difficulty repaying. Credit card debt is a problem for many college students. During welcome week at many college...Iraqi American featured in Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2013
OAKLAND COUNTY — Ziad Kassab, CEO of ZCD Transportation and VP of Guardian Angel Home Health Care Inc., is a member of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2013. Ziad KassabThe program spotlights the top business and community leaders under the age of 40 who excel in their industry and show...Pistons honor 23-year-old founder of charity with Game Changer of the Year award
AUBURN HILLS — Alex Zayid, 23, is the recipient of this year’s Detroit Pistons Game Changer of the Year Award. He was presented with the honor Nov. 25 at a Pistons game in Auburn Hills for the work of his charity, Youth For The Fight (YFTF). Zayid, right, with a representative from the American Cancer Society. “Game...Dearborn city council revises special events ordinance after ruling from federal judge in favor of Jones
DEARBORN — On November 26, Dearborn City Council members approved a change to its special events ordinance, in response to a court case led by anti-Islamic pastor Terry Jones last summer, when a U.S District Judge ruled the City's previous ordinance was unconstitutional.Judge Denise Page Hood had ruled that the City had violated the......
Zena Ozier receives Emerging Leader Award for work with Arab Americans
DEARBORN — The National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) announced Dec. 5 that Zena Ozier of Dearborn received the organization’s Emerging Leader Award in recognition for her work on behalf of the Arab American community. She received the award during the recent Quwa 2013: Strengthening Nonprofit Leadership...Journalism students at MSU publish guide to help international students
LANSING — Journalism students at Michigan State University have published a guide that answers common questions international students frequently ask. The book, “100 Questions and Answers about Americans," is available for purchase on Amazon. It costs $9.95 and took only 70 days to complete. The guide went on sale a few weeks......
Gov. Snyder: Immigrants make Michigan a stronger, more vibrant state
LANSING – Twenty-five people entered the Michigan State Capitol on Wednesday as citizens of 18 countries, but left as Americans – and Michiganders. Gov. Rick Snyder co-hosted the first naturalization ceremony in the Capitol on Wednesday, affirming that Michigan is a place for immigrants to come and take part in the state’s...UN representative Jihan Damman to leadrelief efforts for Michigan refugees
Damman is the first Chaldean woman to hold this prestigious position at the United Nations. STERLING HEIGHTS — Jihan Damman has become the Michigan representative for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Congress (UNHCR), according to the site Kaldaya.net. Damman is the first Chaldean woman to hold this prestigious......