Michigan Muslim Capitol Day, May 28
LANSING — Muslim Americans from across the State are expected to gather at the capitol in honor of Michigan Muslim Capitol Day on May 29, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This year’s event will take place on the State’s capitol lawn. Officials from Governor Rick Snyder’s office and leaders from both the Democratic and Republican parties...Minimum wage employees take stand against low income, organize campaign
DETROIT — Employees earning minimum wage across southeast Michigan have come together to protest low wages through, what is being called the D15 Campaign. According to the campaign’s website, D15 represents workers from more than 50 employers – food and retail – who are making tremendous profits, but do not pay employees...New Detroit Meijer seeks to hire 400 employees
DETROIT — The new Detroit Meijer store, which is expected to open its doors for business this summer, is seeking to hire 400 new employees to work in different departments. The store will be located near 8 mile and Woodward. The corporation has already started teaming up with local organizations, such as the Arab American and...Bing won’t seek re-election, considers run for Wayne County Executive
DETROIT — Mayor Dave Bing announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection for a second term, but says that he may consider running for Wayne County Executive and is creating a committee to help him explore this possible opportunity. Bing, 69, made the announcement at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History. He says...Detroit appoints new police chief
DETROIT — On Tuesday, Cincinnati Police Chief James Craig announced that he would be accepting the position as the new police chief of Detroit. Craig.Although Craig was offered a salary increase to retain his position in Cincinnati, he declined. Several months ago, he had told a local news outlet that becoming Detroit Police...Councilwoman Nancy Hubbard will not pursue re-election after 24 years in office
DEARBORN — After 24 years of service on Dearborn’s City Council, Councilwoman Nancy Hubbard has decided not to run for reelection in the City’s upcoming race.Hubbard asserted to The Arab American News that she has no plans of retiring immediately, but will remain in her position until her last minute in office, serving the...Novi Police make religious accommodations for Muslim Americans
NOVI — In an unprecedented move, the Novi Police Department has agreed to allow Muslim females to wear the Islamic headscarf during detainment and the booking photo process. Muslim women must, however, assert their right to wear the Islamic head scarf, if not wearing one, or are not thoroughly covered, when arrests are made at...Snyder signs public safety bills, maintains Michigan drunk driving standards
LANSING — On May 9, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law a pair of public safety bills that will maintain the State’s current drunk driving standards and sentencing guidelines. HB 4093, sponsored by State Representative Andrea LaFontaine, maintains the existing drunk driving standard of 0.08 percent blood alcohol...
Federal Judge dismisses Christian evangelist lawsuit against Wayne County Sheriff’s Department
May 14th, 20130 DETROIT-On Tuesday, Federal Judge Patrick J. Duggan, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, dismissed a lawsuit, filed by a Christian evangelist group, known as the Bible Believers, against the Wayne County Sheriff's Department, citing a stifling of freedom of speech, during the 2012 Arab International...Ignoring the whys of terrorism
Shortly after the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, Richard Falk, professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian territories, published an analysis of the episode entitled “A Commentary on the Marathon Murders.”In this analysis, Falk...Concert promoter sues Justice Department, demands removal from ‘No-Fly List’
In a press conference held on May 8, Attorney Nabih Ayad, in coordination with the Arab-American Civil Rights League (ACRL), announced that a lawsuit was filed against the FBI, the US Department of Justice and the Terrorist Screening Center, on behalf of Saeb Mokdad, a Lebanese-American concert promoter who has been placed on the...ADC-MI hopes Youth Program will help diversify Dearborn’s Police Department
DEARBORN — Last weekend, 32 local students graduated from the Dearborn Police Youth Academy, a program that has been organized by the Dearborn Police Department, Dearborn Public Schools and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Michigan (ADC-MI) for three consecutive years now. The focus of the academy is to educate...Dearborn puts restrictions on fire pits
DEARBORN — Last week, during a 5-2 vote that would change the current ordinance, Dearborn's City Council approved a measure to enforce that fire pits are not to be used in close proximity to any building. A minimum of 15 feet is now required between all fire pits and any structure. City Councilwoman Susan Sareini strongly...Detroit home of top three most dangerous neighborhoods in nation
DETROIT — Neighborhood Scout, a company that analyzes and compiles data for real estate purposes and corporations, recently released a list of the 25 most dangerous neighborhoods in the U.S., and four of Detroit's neighborhoods land in the top ten, with three occupying the top three spots, as the most dangerous neighborhoods in the...Dearborn Heights Police Department now providing halal food to detained Muslims
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Local civil rights groups have welcomed the Dearborn Heights Police Department's recent decision to provide halal food to Muslims who are detained in their custody. In recent months, members of the Council on American Islamic Relations of Michigan has held meetings with the Dearborn Heights mayor and......
U.S. Education Secretary visits Detroit schools
DETROIT — During a visit to Detroit schools this past Monday with Governor Rick Snyder, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan was questioned, along with the Governor, about the Education Achievement Authority (EAA). U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan (L) and Governor Rick Snyder read to preschoolers at Thirkell Elementary School...Wayne State Board of Governors in search of next president
DETROIT — The Wayne State Board of Governors recently announced that they intend to make a decision by the end of May on who will be the University's next president, according to the Detroit Free Press.A search committee, comprised of faculty, staff, board members and community members has been meeting for several months to evaluate......
Lindbergh Elementary youth program open to all district residents
Dearborn parents have until June 15 to enroll their child in a new and exciting program. Starting in the fall of 2013, the program is designed for students who are age-eligible for kindergarten, but require additional time to develop their emotional, social, physical, or cognitive academic skills. The program, known as Young Fives,...Dearborn Heights man charged with bankruptcy fraud, money laundering
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — This week, a Dearborn Heights man pleaded guilty to three counts of bankruptcy fraud and one count of money laundering, admitting that he did not disclose to the court that he owned luxury cars and jewelry, and that he had cash on hand, when he claimed bankruptcy.Adnan Hassan Tageddine, 42, was charged following a...HFCC announces financial aid priority deadline for fall 2013
DEARBORN — Henry Ford Community College has announced the financial aid priority deadline for fall 2013, which is June 6, 2013 for students submitting the 2013-2014 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and June 27 for all other requested documentation. To meet the Financial Aid Priority Deadline, a student must...Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services seeks Arab American participation on board of directors
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) is seeking nominations for its 2014 board of directors and other committees. Over the years, the organization has resettled and assisted countless Arab immigrants and refugees, and continues to work tirelessly to give them a voice. Lutheran Services does this, in part, by recruiting many......
Residents hope to restore Dearborn Neighborhood Watch Program
DEARBORN — The Dearborn Police Department and residents of the Duvall-Edison Neighborhood Association are teaming up in an effort to help restore the City’s neighborhood watch program. Last Wednesday an informal hearing took place at Duvall Elementary School, where residents were offered crime prevention tips. ...
Local Arab American attorney leads research for Human Rights Watch in Syria and Lebanon
May 9th, 20130 Lama Fakih is so much more than a bright, successful, energetic Lebanese American, who grew up in Michigan. She is a researcher in Lebanon and Syria for Human Rights Watch (HRW), one of the world's leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. Fakih said she was inspired to work on human......
‘Discover Islam’ to host upcoming youth banquet
DEARBORN — On Thursday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m., Discover Islam will be hosting a dinner at Byblos Hall, themed "Islamic Youth Awareness," during which they hope to target local youth and their parents. Discover Islam is a student organization, based out of Dearborn High School, made up of approximately 45 members who participate in...Celebrating mothers throughout the year, throughout the world
DEARBORN —-Along with learning the language, many immigrants in the U.S. work hard to absorb the social and cultural traditions of their new home. Kilograms become pounds, kilometers become miles and football becomes soccer. Even Mother's Day, in some cases, is celebrated a different month.Throughout the Middle East, Mother's Day is......