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...Local singer involved in car collision at accident prone intersection
DEARBORN - An unfortunate car accident on the Chase and Warren intersection in Dearborn early morning on Friday, around 3:40 am, involved local singer and entertainer Ahmad Hatoum. Hatoum was driving his black Range Rover east on Warren while the other car was driven by a woman going south on Chase Road. Hatoum was......
Community leaders form coalition, pledge to fight sexual harassment
October 11th, 20130 DEARBORN — On Tuesday, October 8, lawmakers, local leaders and past victims of sexual harassment gathered at the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC) to send a unified message to the general public, under a newly formed group, the Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Harassment (CASAH).The coalition aims to bring to light matters of...Victims of domestic violence have places to turn for help
DETROIT — October is domestic violence awareness month, and it’s important to remind victims they are not alone, and there are many others who share the same stories as them. For many Arab American women, it can be difficult to come forward and discuss domestic violence openly, because the community is so conservative and the...
Dr. Ali Fadel (1953-2013): The legacy of a giving physician
October 11th, 20130 DEARBORN — When Dr. Ali Fadel passed away on Friday, Oct. 4, the Arab American community lost a skilled doctor, generous philanthropist and a caring human being, who was a symbol of modesty and benevolence.Fadel died of a sudden heart attack in Lebanon, while attending the memorial service of his sister, who had died a week prior. He...
The stigma of breast cancer among Arab women
October 11th, 20130 MICHIGAN — Breast cancer is preventable with early detection and more treatable, the sooner a diagnoses receives medical attention. However, for too long cultural inhibitions have stood in the way of Arab American women opening up candidly about the disease, or getting the medical care they need to fight it fast enough. For a lot......
Ficano discusses County’s financial status, Obamacare and jail project
CANTON — Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano discussed the County's financial status, upcoming projects, the Affordable Care Act and his future with the County at a gathering with the media on Monday, October 7.Ficano says Wayne County's financial situation will continue to remain stagnant, for at least another ten years, despite a...Newly opened businesses
The Arab American News is continuing to keep track of community entrepreneurs who are launching new businesses in Metro Detroit and contributing to the region’s economic growth and stability. Below is a preview of two new atypical businesses in town.Zooka Box Zooka Box is an internet-powered TV provider that allows viewers to watch......
Dearborn Council president files ethics grievance against City Attorney
DEARBORN — City Council President Thomas Tafelski, who is up for re-election this November, announced plans on Wednesday, October 9, to file an ethics complaint against City Attorney Debra Walling, alleging that she played a role in preparing election-related materials for Councilwoman Nancy Hubbard at Tuesday's city council...Arab American home owners receive Dearborn 2013 residential excellence awards
DEARBORN — The Dearborn City Beautiful Commission recognized 17 homes for their outstanding appearance on Oct. 2. Several of those recognized are Arab Americans. The Dearborn City Beautiful Commission, on Oct. 2, presented the annual Residential Standard of Excellence awards to homeowners judged who have maintained the......