Dearborn attorney testifies against Ireland man charged with terrorism
February 22nd, 20130 DEARBORN — Attorney Majed Moughni testified in a trial via video conference on Wednesday against Ali Charaf Damache, who is on trial in Ireland for threatening to kill Swedesh artist Lars Vilks, a man who drew a caricature depicting prophet Muhammad as a dog. Damache allegedly threatened to kill Moughni after he had organized an...Smart tips for your tax refund
Like any sudden in-flow of cash, your tax refund presents an opportunity to spend your money wisely or foolishly.And while it would be easy to blow the cash on fleeting fun, like a shopping spree or a slew of the latest gadgets, experts say the money would be best used to pay down debt and invest in saving plans that can help you grow...Five good reasons to e-file your tax return
If you haven’t tried IRS e-file before, now is the time. Most taxpayers – more than 80 percent – file electronically. The IRS has processed more than 1 billion individual tax returns safely and securely since the nationwide debut of electronic filing in 1990. Fewer people file a paper tax return every year. Here are five good...Controversy brews over former justice’s pension
Former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway resigned recently after admitting to bank fraud, and planning a scheme to eliminate $600,000 in mortgage debt by placing a Florida home in her stepdaughter’s name. Now controversy is brewing over her nearly $99,000 pension she’ll be receiving annually for the rest of her life....Dearborn man faces maximum of 20 years in prison
DEARBORN — Zayd Allebban of Dearborn is facing a maximum of 20 years in prison. Allebban is the former Wayne County technology manager who was convicted on Tuesday of two counts of obstructing justice for allegedlycreating a false document to prevent a federal investigation of the county. His attorney Haytham Faraj says...Joint initiative launched to help school districts implement anti-bullying efforts
Lansing — Following the passage of the Matt’s Safe Schools Law in late 2011, officials from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) came together to develop a joint initiative designed to ensure school districts have the support they need to implement effective anti-bullying...
Book chronicles challenges of Muslim Americans in post 9/11 era
February 22nd, 20130 The book, In Search of a Base by Jamal Fawaz, M.D. chronicles the challenges facing Muslim Americans in the years following 9/11. Personal and professional views on issues that affect the lives of Muslim immigrants are offered. The book features a clear overview of the obstucles Muslims have faced after emigrating to the U.S. over the...FEMA seeks applicants for national advisory council
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the National Advisory Council (NAC) to apply for appointment. The NAC is an advisory committee established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness,...CWA clergy in Hamtramack works to enhance interfaith unity
HAMTRAMCK — Clergy leaders of several different faiths met on Feb. 11 to plan future activities of the Common Word Alliance (CWA) interfaith group. Following the successful Thanksgiving Day of Prayer, the group has been meeting monthly. Among issues discussed was working with the police to offer chaplaincy services to families...Louis Raphael I Sako elected new patriarch of Chaldean Catholics worldwide
New Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic church worldwide, Louis Raphael I Sako,64, meets with Pope Benedict XVI Chaldean Americans across metro Detroit have expressed much enthusiasm about Louis Raphael I Sako being named the new patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church. Sako was elected on Feb. 1, 2013, and is succeeding his...Rev. Simon Faddoul of Caritas Lebanon to visit metro Detroit
Rev. Simon FaddoulWARREN — Rev. Simon Faddoul, President of Caritas Lebanon will visit the St. Sharbel Maronite Church Banquet Center here Friday, Mar. 8 from 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. for a fundraising dinner. Caritas Lebanon is an international organization that provides assistance to people who has fled countries struck by war...Sex offender registry expansion passed by Michigan House
MICHIGAN — The expansion of the state’s online public sex offender registry to people convicted of certain crimes against children was approved by the Michigan House this week. The crimes covered under the proposal include unlawful imprisonment of a minor, and knowingly possessing child sexually abusive material according to a...CAAP to give away $50,000 to Arab American organizations
The Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) is seeking proposals for its 2013 grant making. The group plans to award grants of up to $7,000, for a total of $50,000, to Arab American organizations working for social justice and other issues including the fair treatment and portrayal of Arab Americans. The funds can be used for...Nonprofits can apply for 2013 grants starting at $25,000
DETROIT — Walmart Foundation is accepting applications from Michigan nonprofit organizations for its annual State Giving Program.Prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application, available at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving. The deadline to...Twelve-year-old from Gaza gets prosthetic leg in Dearborn
DEARBORN — A 12-year-old boy from Gaza who arrived in metro Detroit in November seeking medical attention got a prosthetic leg on Tuesday. The procedure was performed at Dr. Jiab Sulieman’s office here. Dr. Sulieman has partnered up with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) to provide medical assistance for children......
Judge rejects local attorney’s intervention into McDonald’s non-halal lawsuit
February 15th, 20130 DETROIT-Last Thursday, local attorney Majed Moughni was unsuccessful in a bid to convince Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Macdonald to allow others to join in on the McDonalds non-halal $700,000 class action settlement. The lawsuit stems from Dearborn Heights resident Ahmed Ahmed’s purchasing of a McDonald’s meal from...
Local man found guilty for resisting arrest at Tim Hortons, claims city purposely delayed his case
February 15th, 20130 DEARBORN - Last Friday, a jury at the 19th District Court reached a verdict on a case involving one local Arab American man who was arrested by two Dearborn Police officers in 2011 at the Tim Hortons/Wendy's location on Greenfield Rd. on September 28, after a disgruntled Wendy's employee contacted the police, claiming the man was being......
Outcast gay Arabs struggle with backlash in a conservative and religious community
DEARBORN — “I’m not afraid. Somebody has to start the conversation,” said Chris Ramazzotti, who’s Lebanese and agreed to reveal his name while discussing homosexuality among Arabs here. Other gay Arabs didn’t disclose their identities citing safety risks as a reason, and to prevent their families...Obama and drones: Unkept promises
I find deeply troubling the White House claim that their use of drones to assassinate suspected terrorists is "legal, ethical and wise." The release of a Department of Justice "White Paper" that purports to establish the Administration's legal justification for these killings only compounds my concern.In response to the excesses of his...
Fallen Lebanese soldiers remembered at memorial mass
February 15th, 20130 WARREN - A memorial mass in remembrance of soldiers from Lebanon’s army who lost their lives at the hands of extremist gunmen early this month in East Lebanon near the Syrian border, was held at the Saint Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church here on Sunday, Feb. 10. Other soldiers were injured in the clash, it occurred after militants...
Arab Americans flocking west, raising property values in Dearborn-Dearborn Heights area
February 15th, 20130 DEARBORN / DEARBORN HEIGHTS -Local real estate agents will agree that the real estate market is booming in west Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, with many Arab American families heading west to seek properties in the same neighborhoods, spiraling into a shortage of inventory in selective areas as demand continues to grow. According to......
High school senior earns full-ride soccer scholarship to MSU
DEARBORN HEIGHTS - Ali Cheaib, 17, a senior at Crestwood High School (CHS) here earned a full-ride soccer scholarship to Michigan State University where he’s starting college this fall. Cheaib has a 3.8 GPA, is on the CHS soccer team, and will soon join MSU’s soccer team when he begins his freshman year there. He also...Two Dearborn High School athletes accept full-ride scholarships
DEARBORN — On Wednesday Dearborn High School (DHS) held a signing day event in the school library, where four students accepted full-ride scholarships from universities in the state based on their athletic performance and academic excellence. This year, two Arab American students, Ali Jawad and Ollie Ajami, were among the recipients......
Forum focuses on importance of ethnically and racially diverse juries
February 8th, 20130 DEARBORN-During a panel discussion on the importance of having ethnically and racially diverse juries, local groups and individuals were urged to bring attention to the issue by getting more Arab Americans to participate in jury duty. The discussion at the Lebanese American Heritage Club...Dearborn’s new Brow Art 23 location expected to attract Arab American clientele
DEARBORN — With 170 locations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Mexico, Brow Art 23 is the world’s largest company specializing in eyebrow threading. It’s making its way to Dearborn with the launch of a new store in Fairlane Town Center near Sears in the old “Beautiful Eyebrows” space. A grand opening ceremony is......
