State Rep. Rashida Tlaib joins ACRL board
DEARBORN - The Arab-American Civil Rights League (ACRL) announced earlier this week that State Rep. Rashida Tlaib would be joining the group’s board of directors as its newest member. Tlaib.“We are honored to have Representative Tlaib join our board,” said ACRL Board Chairman Nabih Ayad. “She has been a voice for the...
Community reacts to Connecticut elementary school massacre
December 21st, 20120 DEARBORN, DEARBORN HEIGHTS -- The Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC) with the co-sponsorship of the Arab Student Union of the University of Michigan Dearborn held a candlelight vigil in honor of the victims from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut on Monday, December 17th in front of City Hall.Twenty elementary...Bills signed that alter rules to recall elected officials
LANSING - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed bills on Thursday that alter the rules for recalling elected officials such as shortening the time period in which people can gather signatures needed to recall elected officials. Democrats have blasted the move which changes the number of days from 90 to 60 days to garner signatures....“No vote” on anti Shari’a bill in state’s legislature
LANSING - A no-vote on House Bill 4769, also known as an "anti-Shari’a bill,' in the Michigan State House at the end of its 2012 legislative session occured recently. Since the introduction of the bill approximately a year and a half ago by MI State Rep. Dave Agema (R-Grandville), groups and community leaders have vigorously...Border Patrol no longer allowed to act as interpreters for law enforcement
DETROIT - Immigrant advocate groups are hailing a new decree from the Department of Homeland Security that says U.S. Border Patrol agents will no longer be called in to act as “interpreters” by local law enforcement. “We applaud DHS for taking a serious step toward stopping the sort of racial profiling, injury and death that has...Concealed weapons bill vetoed by Gov. Snyder
LANSING - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed the state’s latest gun bill Tuesday, only days after the Connecticut school shooting massacre. The bill would have allowed concealed weapons to be carried in schools, churches and day care centers.It has brought relief to some, but others have expressed dismay saying it would have provided a...Poll: Michiganders feel a college education is unaffordable
LANSING – A new “State of the State” poll from Michigan State University shows 97 percent of people in Michigan feel a college education is important for a successful career, but just one-third say they can afford it.“We in Michigan have had dramatic reductions in public funding for higher ed,” according to MSU economics...Forbes ranks Michigan 47th best state for business
LANSING - Forbes Magazine has released its rankings of the Best States for Business, and Michigan has not improved its slot at number 47, despite Gov. Rick Snyder slashing taxes for big corporations and making up the difference by taxing seniors’ pensions, cutting funding for public education and municipal governments. “Governor...
NEI’s economic vision: An eight-year plan to revitalize our regional economy
December 17th, 20120 A few years ago, leaders from 10 different philanthropic foundations looked at southeast Michigan and said “We’ve got to do something about the economy.”Pooling some of their resources, the foundations created a $100 million fund in 2008 – the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI) to make grants over eight years to...Tea Party now a huge GOP liability
The resignation of South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint from the Senate followed close on the heels of the desertion from the Tea Party of Freedom Works head Dick Armey took some by surprise. DeMint and Armey were the two biggest and most identifiable fish in the Tea Party affiliated pond. DeMint could be relied on to broker his name...Obama’s second term: Full plate of Middle East challenges
As President Obama gears up to begin a second term, his Middle East agenda will be more complex and potentially more consuming and dangerous than the one he inherited from his predecessor four years ago.Back then, the pressing priorities were: winding down the U.S. military presence in Iraq; pursuing an Israeli-Palestinian peace;...
Family and supporters turn out for Salamey’s Investiture Ceremony
December 14th, 20120 DEARBORN — Hundreds of Sam Salamey's family members and supporters gathered inside of the Michael A. Guido Theater at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center on Wednesday to witness the 19th District Court Chief Judge's Investiture Ceremony. Salamey was sworn in by Honorable Justice Brian Zahra of the Michigan Supreme Court,...Locals rally in opposition to Syrian regime
DEARBORN — On Saturday, Dec. 8 about 60 people gathered outside of Dearborn City Hall protesting against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The regime has come under heavy scrutiny following the 2011 popular Arab Spring uprisings that have swept parts of the Arab world. According to reports the numbers of...
Robbery in Inkster leads to arrest in Dearborn Heights, Kinloch Elementary on lockdown
December 14th, 20120 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — A Deputy Director of Homeland Security for Wayne County was on his way to headquarters on Tuesday around 3:00 p.m. when he noticed two African American males crossing the street on Beech Daly walking from the Canterbury Woods Apartment complex in the city of Inkster. The two males were carrying what appeared to be a...Dearborn Police Chief discusses new initiatives, hiring, and safety tips for holiday season
DEARBORN — The Dearborn Police Department has several new developments along the way, according to Police Chief Ron Haddad. In an exclusive interview, he updated the Arab American News about the hiring of six new police officers, a re-instated captain position, a new initiative involving other police departments, as well as information......
ADC fights for the ‘The American Dream’ at 32nd Annual Awards Gala
DEARBORN— On Friday, December 7 the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Michigan (ADC) held their 32nd Annual Benefit Gala: 'Telling Our Story. Writing Our Narrative,' at the Greenfield Manor banquet hall. Over 900 attendees including government officials, foreign dignitaries, activists, and community members shared an...
Michigan’s Right-to-Work laws, a huge blow to unions
December 14th, 20120 LANSING — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed the controversial Right-to-Work bills into law Tuesday after nearly 13,000 people rallied in the state’s capitol against them the same day. The move makes Michigan the 24th Right-to-Work state in the country.Right-to-Work laws limit the power of unions by making membership and payment of......
Peace activist uses life tragedy to strengthen education and health of Middle East women
December 14th, 20120 DETROIT — One peace activist is inspiring people around the world to turn tragedy into something positive.Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish experienced a horrific tragedy on Jan. 16, 2009 when Israeli shells hit his home in the Gaza Strip, killing his three daughters and niece. Instead of allowing it to consume him with hate, or becoming bitter...Ruling allows Troy voters to choose their next mayor
Troy — This week, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Denise Langford Morris ruled that she will allow voters in Troy to decide who the city's next mayor would be in an upcoming May election, after citizens had recalled their mayor on November 6th and city leaders had appointed a new mayor several weeks later, causing disputes between...Michigan’s new Right-to-Work laws, a huge blow to unions
Michigan’s new Right-to-Work laws, a huge blow to unions LANSING-Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed the controversial Right-to-Work bills into law Tuesday after nearly 13,000 people rallied in the state’s capitol against them. The move makes Michigan the 24th Right-to-Work state in the country....IHW elects woman to serve on new board of trustees
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The Islamic House of Wisdom Board of Trustees elected new officers during its special meeting Wednesday, Dec. 5. The board elected Hajj Dave Abdallah, Chairman, Hajja Vicki Ashkar, 1st Vice Chair and Hajj Tarek Chami, 2nd Vice Chair. The recently formed board is comprised of 17 members, and it presides......
The YAC celebrates Yemen Independence Day
DEARBORN - The Yemeni American Committee celebrated Yemen Independence Day recently at Dearborn Manor here with about 100 people present on Nov. 30. The South Yemen declaration of independence from the United Kingdom is held on Nov. 30 every year. While North Yemen had been independent since November 1, 1918, it wasn’t until November...Muthanna Al-Hanooti named new regional director of MLFA
By Natasha Dado The Arab American News SOUTHFIELD- Muthanna Al-Hanooti, the new Regional Director of the Muslim Legal Fund of America’s Detroit Chapter can identify closely with many of the people who turn to the group in search of justice, because he was once in their position. “I’m a beneficiary of the Muslim Legal......
Jagx Security team provides wide range of services
DEARBORN - One local security company’s services are continuing to garner widespread support from the community. Jagx Security opened in 2006, and is co-owned by Bassam Eskamraji and Moe Kazam. The company offers security for all occasions including special events, and its guards have been hired to protect prominent...New book chronicles businessman’s ordeal in Qatar
Nasser Beydoun, the former executive director of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce and newly appointed vice president of multicultural marketing for Detroit-based Bassett and Bassett Communication Managers and Counselors is sharing his story about being trapped in Qatar after a business agreement in 2007 with a restaurant chain had......