Dearborn City Council discussion decision on garage ordinance
DEARBORN — The Dearborn City Council voted 7- 0, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, to table the first reading of the zoning ordinance amendment that would ban garages from being converted into habitable spaces. The new ordinance defines a habitable space as, "a space within a structure for living, sleeping, eating and cooking." It prohibits...Congressman Dingell meets with community to discuss Syria crisis
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Last Friday, September 6, Congressman John Dingell, who represents Michigan's 12th congressional district, joined a group of religious and community leaders at the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights, to listen to their views on President Obama's position on Syria.Spiritual leader Imam Elahi expressed his...Interfaith ceremony commemorates 9/11
DEARBORN — Community and religious leaders gathered on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Dearborn City Council Chambers to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. Citizens joined in commemorating the victims, by praying for peace and justice. Lebanese American singer Joe Kidd and his music partner Sheila Burke started the...Employers beware: You must strictly comply with garnishment requests
After judgment is obtained in a civil case, many defendants are unable, or unwilling to simply pay the judgment in full. Technically, it is the plaintiff’s job to get the judgment paid. There is no penalty to the defendant for failing to take affirmative steps to pay the judgment. Thus, as many sad litigants have...State Rep. Phil Cavanagh considers running for Wayne County Executive
State Representative Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) is considering a run for Wayne County Executive in 2014. Cavanagh served for eight years as a Wayne County commissioner. State Rep. Phil Cavanagh had his annual fundraising picnic at his Redford home. About 120 supporters and politicians, including local Democratic Congressmen...Sen. Smith fights against scrap metal theft, introduces two-bill package
MICHIGAN — On Tuesday, Senator Virgil Smith (D-Detroit) introduced legislation that will help take a bite out of scrap metal theft. The theft of scrap affects urban, suburban and rural communities. It also contributes directly to the problem of blight communities. In recent years, thefts of various types of metal have...Convicted Wayne County employee to serve 41 months in federal prison
AllebbanFormer Wayne County Information Technology Director Zayd Allebban was sentenced this week by a judge to 41 months in federal prison. Allebban is a former appointee of Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. Last February, Allebban was convicted of two counts of obstruction of justice by a jury, for creating fake receipts to...Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission makes request to remove Judge McCree from bench
DETROIT — The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission recently made a recommendation, requesting that Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree be removed from the bench. The Commission has ruled that McCree exceeded his authority, when he violated judicial conduct. He was suspended, without pay, after admitting that he had an affair...Bill to allow religious, moral restrictions on adopting families
LANSING — Adoption agencies could deny the placement of children, under the guardianship of new parents for religious or moral reasons, if the State House passes a new bill on adoption next week.The bill insinuates that the State cannot withhold funding from an adoption agency for not facilitating, or allowing an adoption "that...St. Sharbel Annual Church Festival celebrates another successful year
WARREN — The St. Sharbel annual three-day festival was once again a success, as it celebrated its sixth year. The event, which took place at the St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church, included a rich array of Lebanese culture, including authentic Lebanese food, and was held Friday, Sept. 6, through Sunday, Sept. 8. The...City Council candidate Tarek Baydoun holds fundraiser
Over 200 guests packed Byblos Banquets on Monday, September 9, to support city council candidate Tarek Baydoun's fundraiser. Baydoun took the podium to thank his supporters and pointed out that his campaign is a grassroots movement that has evolved from daily interactions with residents and door-to-door knocking. Baydoun is one of...Attorney Lena Masri honored by Michigan Federal Bar Association
SOUTHFIELD — Lena Masri, staff attorney for the Council on American Islamic Relations of Michigan, was honored by a chapter of the Federal Bar Association for her pro bono work.Masri was honored on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association State of...Dearborn resident selected for Challenge Detroit fellowship
DETROIT — Dearborn resident, Jaber Saad, has been selected as one of 32 fellows to participate in Challenge Detroit, an urban revitalization program, focused on attracting and retaining talent in Detroit, in an effort to spur revitalization.Challenge Detroit is a one-year program that provides the opportunity for future leaders to work...Local Egyptians rally against “military rule” in Egypt
ROYAL OAK— Americans for Democracy in Egypt, a newly formed local Egyptian American organization, rallied on Saturday, Sept. 31 against "military rule" in Egypt.About 30 protesters stood in front of the Art Beats and Eats Festival in Royal Oak, holding signs, denouncing the crackdown against Muslim Brotherhood protests in Egypt and the...
Civil Rights groups question Detroit police use of ‘stop and frisk’ policy
September 6th, 20130 DETROIT — Detroit human rights organizations questioned stop and frisk activities which are currently ongoing or will be initiated by the Detroit Police Department during a press conference at the American Civil Liberties Office here Thursday. The groups shared concern about the current and future Detroit Police Department search......
Concerns over customer service at local Secretary of State branch
DEARBORN — Michigan residents tend to dread visiting their local Secretary of State (SOS) branches, where they get hustled into long lines and sometimes have to interact with less than enthusiastic employees. However, one particular SOS location, at 5094 Schaefer Rd. in Dearborn, appears to take that frustration to another level.In...Possible war on Syria raises gas prices
DEARBORN — Political and military turmoil in the Middle East traditionally spikes gas prices in the United States and around the world. Amid talks of possible U.S. military action against the Syrian regime, the average price for a gallon of gas in Michigan went up 11 cents this week, even though Syria is not a major oil......
Protests to take place in Detroit and D.C. against U.S. strike on Syria
September 6th, 20130 DEARBORN — Americans are continuing to speak out against U.S. intervention in Syria, by organizing demonstrations around the country. On Sunday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. a rally themed, “No War with Syria” is taking place in Detroit at Hart Plaza. Already hundreds are expected to attend.At 9 p.m. on that same day, buses are scheduled...
State Representative Rashida Tlaib speaks out against local scrap metal shops
September 6th, 20130 DETROIT — Rashida Tlaib has been an advocate of reforming scrap metal shops since her first elected term, representing Detroit's southwest district in the Michigan House of Representatives. But two weeks ago, her battle intensified, after the catalytic converter for her vehicle was stolen and allegedly sold to a local scrap metal...
Downtown Detroit thrives, despite bankruptcy
September 6th, 20130 The City of Detroit has come to be recognized as a national symbol for urban failure; an economically devastated city, undergoing bankruptcy, when once it was known as the industrial capital of the United States.It is home to some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world; its shrinking population is a fraction of what it was 60...Traffic offenses: Meaning well doesn’t mean doing wellLegal Corner:
Throughout our lives, it is usually acceptable to explain our actions with, “I didn’t mean to do it,” or “it was an accident,” or some other phrase, evidencing a “good heart.” Usually, people will forgive others who accidentally harm someone. However, that is not so with traffic offenses in Michigan and most......
Dr. Tallal Turfe holds book signing
September 6th, 20130 DEARBORN — On Friday, Aug. 30, the Islamic Institute of Knowledge hosted a book signing for community member Dr. Tallal Turfe’s new book, titled Children of Abraham: United We Prevail, Divided We Fail. This latest publication is only one of four books that Turfe has authored on Islam. Turfe.The book explores the...Center for Arab American Philanthropy announces grants to Arab American nonprofits
DEARBORN — The Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) is announcing $50,000 in grants that were awarded to 12 Arab American nonprofits around the country, which are dedicated to achieving social justice through human services, arts and culture programs, education and advocacy, in CAAP’s fifth round of grant making.“This has......
Arab American wins first place in body building competition
September 6th, 20131 DEARBORN — On Saturday, Aug. 31, Iraqi American Haider Ali won first place in the International Federation of Body Building and Fitness North American Championship. “After participating in the IFBB North American body building competition and placing first, I would like to thank everyone for supporting me, and a special...New Dearborn medical building to open spring 2014
From left: Ali AwnAllah, Mansoor Ghaleb, Dr. Tarik Najib and Ahmed Saleh. DEARBORN — A groundbreaking ceremony was held this summer for a new medical center building that is owned by the American Moslem Society. The grand opening is expected to take place in spring 2014. The 1000 square-foot medical building will be home to four......