Groups demand Secretary of State grant young immigrants driver’s licenses
MICHIGAN — Immigrant advocate groups and people across the state are calling on Secretary of State, Ruth Johnson to comply with a federal mandate and grant young eligible immigrants the right to drive. In a telephone news conference on Wednesday, Reverend Jack Eggleston joined two young immigrants to demand that Johnson follow the...Muslim funeral home director donates casket to slain 8-year-old Detroit girl
DETROIT — Two weeks ago Detroit residents were shocked to learn of the death of 8-year-old Tameria Greene, who was allegedly stabbed to death by her mother Semeria Greene, 26, in her Detroit home located on the 2200 block of East Larned Street, just east of Downtown.While the mother is being held at the Wayne County Jail and faces...Students now need to be five years old by Nov. 1 to start kindergarten
DEARBORN — Under a new state law the kindergarten entry date will gradually change over the next three years from Dec. 1 to Sep. 1. The new law takes effect this year meaning that for 2013 children must be five years of age by Nov. 1 in order to be eligible to enroll in kindergarten. However, parents with a child whose birthday...Dearborn Public Schools avoids teacher layoffs
DEARBORN — At Monday's Board of Education Meeting, Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Brian Whiston announced that a planned mid year layoff that would have seen over 20 teachers let go from the district was scrapped, after enough funding was allocated to cover costs in the district.The announcement of the expected layoff was made...Former assistant secretary of defense under Regan Administration to speak in Dearborn
DEARBORN — The Democracy Institute at Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) will host Dr. Larry Korb, who will present “How Much for Defense? Foreign Policy and National Security on a Budget” in Room L-14 of the Liberal Arts Building, located on the main campus on Thursday, Jan. 24, from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.It is free and open to...
Hamtramck doctor raided for prescription abuse, next door pharmacist speaks out
January 18th, 20131 HAMTRAMCK — On Wednesday, Doctor Basil Qandil of Hamtramck was arrested and charged for writing more prescriptions of controlled substances than any other doctor in the state. Only the University of Michigan had written more prescriptions, according to reports.The Qandil Family Medical & Urgent Care Center, where the doctor...Kay Siblani: A mentor, dedicated editor and passionate caregiver
Kay Siblani, the late editor of The Arab American News who succumbed to cancer Jan. 1, 2013 was widely known for her work with the paper, but she wore many other hats throughout her life. To her family, she was a passionate caregiver, who everyone could depend on when a health issue emerged. Siblani always went out of her way to...NEI transforming region, embracing diverse communities
Since its inception in 2008, The New Economy Initiative (NEI) has sought to leverage $100 million pooled from 10 leading philanthropic organizations and businesses to reshape and redefine the economic landscape of Detroit and Southeast Michigan. This unique collaboration, aligning the expertise and resources of The Community Foundation...Arab American takes on leadership position at Ford
DEARBORN — In Nov. 2012, Dr. Mazen Hammoud took on a leadership position with Ford Motor Company as its Electrified Powertrain Systems Chief Engineer. He leads system sizing, supplier strategy, controls, and calibration for all HEV, PHEV, and BEV programs globally to deliver cost effective best in class fuel economy and superior...Hagel nomination: Stakes are high, but far from over
In the lead up to President Obama's announcement, there was an intense debate over former Senator Chuck Hagel's potential nomination as Secretary of Defense. At times Hagel's opponents became a touch hysterical, indulging in excessively harsh rhetorical attacks. At first, they charged that he was not sufficiently pro-Israel or hawkish...
Arab American charged with alleged criminal enterprise
January 18th, 20130 WAYNE COUNTY — In a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Wayne County Prosecutors Office with state, county and federal agencies, an Arab American man has been arrested for an alleged real estate fraud scheme. 32-year-old Samer Salami, a licensed agent for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, has been charged with conducting an...The depressing ‘Zero Dark Thirty’
When I watched the get-bin-Laden movie Zero Dark Thirty at a theater just outside Washington D.C., I was struck by how silent the audience was from beginning to end with almost no reaction to the climatic killing of the terrorist leader or to the film’s lame stabs at humor.For instance, the screenwriters apparently thought they had...Group collects clothes for needy families
DEARBORN — If you have additional clothing items you’re not planning to wear again, there’s a fast and easy way to get them to needy families. The Lebanese American Heritage Club located here is continuing to collect clothing items for needy families in the region as part of its Winter Clothing Drive. Donations are being sent to...Iraqis reject divisiveness among religious sects in their homeland
DEARBORN — More than 50 Iraqi Americans rallied outside city hall on Saturday, Jan. 12 in support of the country they trace their roots to. The demonstrators called for unity among all religious sects in the Iraq, and rejected the idea of division among Iraqi civilians. They held up signs in support of Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Al...Number of low-income working families increases Michigan ranks 26th in the number of low-income working families
MICHIGAN — The number of low-income working families continues to grow, with nearly a third of all working families in the United States now struggling to earn enough money to meet basic needs, a new report by the Working Poor Families Project shows.In Michigan, the data found there were 308,000 low-income working families in 2011,......
Dearborn Police seek help finding missing woman
Dynasty MylesDEARBORN — Dearborn Police are requesting the assistance of the community in locating a missing person. Twenty-three-year-old Detroit resident, Dynasty Myles has been missing since approximately 10 p.m. on Jan. 1. She was last seen near Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn. Dynasty left her young child...Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano ordered to give deposition
DETROIT — On Wednesday, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano was ordered to give a deposition in connection to a lawsuit filed by his former aide, James Wallace, a graphic artist for the county who was let go last year, and claims he was fired for refusing to do political work. Ficano must answer questions under oath about the......
Federal Judge allows plaintiffs to include Chamber in Arab festival lawsuit
DETROIT — A federal judge has ruled that the American Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) can be named as a defendant in a civil rights lawsuit involving the arrest of Christian missionaries in the city of Dearborn, which occurred during an altercation at the 2010 Arab International Festival.The four Christian missionaries, Dr....Carnival company sues former Dearborn officer for claims of rigged games at Arab Festival
DEARBORN — A retired Dearborn police officer who has been claiming certain carnival games are rigged, including those at Dearborn's annual Arab International Festival and Dearborn Height's Spirit Festival, is now being sued by the carnival company North American Midway Entertainment. Richard Margittay, 67, a former Dearborn Police...Take a stance against breast cancer, participate in Komen Detroit Race for The Cure
DETROIT — On May 18 metro-Detroiters will have the opportunity to take a stance against breast cancer by participating in the Komen Detroit Race for the Cure at Comerica Park. Registration for the event has already opened and special pricing is being offered through Feb. 1. Team registration will close May 3. After that date...Group calls for release of American Muslim in Iran
SOUTHFIELD — The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations this week renewed its call for due process for a Michigan Muslim on the 500th day of his indefinite detention in Iran. Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine, has been detained in Iran since August of 2011 on allegations of espionage. Family members say......
Petitions filed to run for Dearborn City Council
DEARBORN — Two city residents have already filed petitions to run in the upcoming city council race. The elections for the city council, mayoral and city clerk are nearly one year away. The city’s current clerk Kathy Buda has also reportedly filed a petition to run for re-election. To date no one has filed a petition to run for...
A community bids farewell to one of its greatest advocates
January 11th, 20130 WARREN — “People don’t know the amount of work Kay put behind some of the things that led to advances in this community,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Abed Hammoud said speaking at a funeral service here Monday for Kay Siblani, the longtime executive editor of The Arab American News (TAAN). Siblani was one of the paper’s......
Remembering Kay Siblani
Heartfelt condolences on the passing of longtime executive editor of The Arab American News, Kay Siblani continue to be sent, and show the mark she left on journalism and the community. Siblani succumbed to cancer on Jan. 1, 2013 “We are so deeply saddened to learn of Kay’s death. She was a truly wonderful woman in every...Walling in Israeli occupation
If it is possible to invest in companies that supply fencing material to the Israel government, they should be rated a “buy.” Likewise with any companies that make the components of the barriers that Israel sometimes calls fences but are actually more like walls.We’re familiar with the fence/wall that Israel has constructed in the......