Crestwood School District appoints first Arab American member to its board, community welcomes decision
August 5th, 20120 DEARBORN HEIGHTS- Crestwood School Board member Ron Panetta recently put in his resignation. Hamid Soueidan, a 2004 graduate of the Crestwood School District was appointed by the board to replace Panetta’s vacant seat. Two other Arab Americans, Zeinab Hussein and Abdul Alcodray sought the position in addition to James Taylor...
Dearborn schools score high on state tests
August 5th, 20120 DEARBORN — The State of Michigan uses a variety of tools, based on student MEAP and MME performance, to evaluate schools across the state and help them identify areas of success and areas where improvement is needed. The most recent evaluation tool released by the Michigan Department of Education identified Reward...
Arab American teen represents USA in international hockey tournament
August 5th, 20120 WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI — Butrus Ghafari has a lot on his plate for a 16-year old hockey player. Earlier this year the West Bloomfield teenager was drafted by the United States Hockey League (USHL), the top junior hockey league in the country, to play for the Fargo Force in North Dakota. But now his year has gotten even busier, as he...Muslim Bar association to host Ramadan iftar
DEARBORN — The Muslim American Michigan Bar Association is holding a Ramadan iftar dinner on Aug. 15 at Byblos Banquet Hall here from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The guest speaker will be State Representative Rashida Tlaib. Individual tickets are $30. For essay contest details or more details on the event, or for table sponsorship cost,...DISH Network introduces free 2012 Ramadan tool
NEW YORK- Harnessing the digital powers of 2012, DISH has introduced the ultimate Ramadan tool for you and your family. With daily prayer times, Azan alarms, a calendar with fun facts, daily recipes, and top nightly programming, this Ramadan tool will give you real-time updates on exactly what you should know during this holy...Henry Ford Community College 2012 Financial Aid Priority Deadline helps prevent de-registration
DEARBORN — Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) now employs a Financial Aid Priority Deadline to help protect students from the de-registration process (where they are dropped or removed from class) and to ensure they receive financial aid in a timely manner. The priority deadline to apply for financial aid at Henry Ford Community...Mona Farroukh named feminist of the year by national organization
DEARBORN — Mona Farroukh, head of ACCESS' anti-domestic violence program, was named a Feminist of the Year 2012 by the Wayne County Chapter of the National Organization for Women. Farroukh is one of a handful of women to be honored for her leadership this month. She will receive the Loretta Moore Award. The honor comes as NOW...
Dearborn police seek community’s help in finding bank robber
August 2nd, 20120 DEARBORN-On July 30 at approximately 2 p.m. a light skinned male entered the Dearborn Federal Savings Bank located at 22180 Carlysle wearing sunglasses and a mask to cover his face. After demanding money from the teller, the suspect placed the cash in a duffel bag he was carrying and fled the bank. No weapon was seen. The suspect is...
Chronicling the life threatening work environments of Detroit gas station workers
July 29th, 20120 DETROIT — The Arab American News (TAAN) spent the day at a Detroit gas station to chronicle and spread awareness on the dangerous work environment of business owners in the city. Sam ChahroTAAN visited the station Tuesday only to learn Monday it was robbed by a gunman who demanded money from the cashier; fortunately no one was...Lebanese Consul General faints at church iftar; listed in stable condition
Mr. Kablan speaking at St. Sharbel iftar shortly before he fainted. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNabWARREN - At an iftar dinner on Thursday night hosted by St. Sharbel Maronite Church here, Consul General of Lebanon to Detroit Bilal Kabalan fainted while addressing a crowd of community members and leaders. He was transferred to the...
Arab American youth give back to the needy this Ramadan
July 29th, 20120 DEARBORN— The Lebanese American Heritage Club Young Leaders Committee (LAHC-YLC) is giving back to the needy this Ramadan through its campaign, "We The People, Feed The People." Members of the Lebanese American Heritage Club Young Leaders Committee. Eight members of the group were honored by U.S. President Barack Obama with the...Local girl receives prestigious recognition from U.S. Achievement Academy
DEARBORN — Eleven-year-old Fatima Jomaa, who's a student at Bryant Middle School here, was recognized by the United States Achievement Academy as a student of excellence in Social Studies. She was nominated for the honor by Elizabeth Magee, a teacher at the school. Jomaa will appear in the United States Achievement Academy's Official...
Reporter met with hostility in Ann Arbor neighborhood
July 29th, 20120 ANN ARBOR — Last week The Arab American News (TAAN) published a story about an Ann Arbor neighborhood petitioning to have one of its residents (who's also an activist supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement) remove an anti Israel flag from his property. Residents complained it was a distraction in the quiet...MDP Chair Mark Brewer issues statement on Ramadan
LANSING – Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer issued the following statement on the first day of Ramadan: "Muslim Americans here in Michigan and across the nation today mark the first day of Ramadan, a month of fasting and spiritual reflection. The Muslim-American community is an important part of our state's vibrant and...Lawsuit against Fifth Third Bank for racial discrimination
Ferndale - Hispanic Ferndale resident Erandy Pacheco is filing a lawsuit against Fifth Third Bank for discrimination. On June 20, Pacheco tried to deposit a check into her account at Fifth Third Bank on Coolidge Highway for around $9,500. The check was from the U.S. Treasury after her seven-month translating job for the U.S.......
Civil rights groups question prosecutor’s actions in vicious dog attack case
July 28th, 20120 HAMTRAMCK — On Wednesday, the Arab-American Civil Rights League (ACRL) along with the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) held a press conference to discuss a severe case involving an elderly Arab woman who was viciously mauled by a neighbor's dog in Hamtramck. The woman, who suffered from extensive injuries that included...Bone marrow donors sought in honor of local resident
Amal Fawaz, a single mother of two boys, is currently searching for a bone marrow donor after undergoing four months of chemotherapy for her non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Her cancer returned in fall 2011, and is not responding to the treatments this time around, highlighting the need of a transplant in order to beat the disease.In honor of......
Arrests made in recent killing of Hassan Jaber
July 23rd, 20120 Dearborn, MI.— After an intensive investigation, 4 arrests have been made in connection with the July 15th homicide of 45 year-old Hassan Jaber of Dearborn. Over the weekend, Dearborn police arrested the following people who were each arraigned Monday on charges of Felony Murder, punishable by...Pro-Palestine billboards stir discussion, controversy
Pro-Palestinian billboards posted at Metro-North stations around the U.S. are stirring up controversy with many pro-Israeli advocates claiming the billboards message is misleading. The billboards, which are now at 50 Metro-North stations, features Palestine in 1946 before the creation of the state of Israel and in 2010, showing the loss...
Ann Arbor neighborhood petitions against resident’s anti-Israeli flag
July 21st, 20120 ANN ARBOR — A neighborhood in Ann Arbor has worked together on an initiative to take down an anti-Israeli flag being demonstrated in front of another neighbor's house. But the petition that has so far been signed by 11 households is not discouraging the man responsible for the display, as he has responded with a five page letter...Local businesses, organizations prepare for Ramadan
DEARBORN — Every year the Muslim community in the city of Dearborn and surrounding areas prepare for the holy month of Ramadan, and this year is no different. Businesses, organizations and local mosques are offering locals plenty of opportunities that will in turn make the month a jam packed one for people looking to dine out for......
Al-Mabarrat announces new ‘Great Revelations Academy’
The Al-Mabarrat Charitable Organization is proud to announce its latest project — a community and educational center named Great Revelations Academy. Early last year, a committee working for the non-profit organization came together to launch the endeavor. The project, planned to be a full service community center, has most recently...
Islamic private school Envision Academy opens its doors this fall
July 20th, 20120 WESTLAND — A new private Islamic school in a Westland neighborhood is already gaining major ground before it officially opens this September. Envision Academy is looking forward to opening its doors for high school students in order to establish academic excellence based on Islamic values, principals and morals. Envision Academy......
White House representative meets with Arab Americans, discusses growth strategies for small businesses
DEARBORN —White House representative Farooq Mitha, who is Special Assistant in the Office of Small Business Programs, discussed small business and economic growth at the American Arab Chamber June 27 here. Members of the Arab American community meeting with White House Rep. Farooq Mitha.Mr. Mitha said the Obama Administration are...Dearborn Homecoming takes place early August
DEARBORN — Dearborn’s 33rd annual Homecoming festival is August 3rd to the 5th in Ford Field Park this year. The festival is held by the City of Dearborn and the Dearborn Community Fund and allows over 30 nonprofit groups to raise money for good causes.Dearborn's homecoming has plenty to do for the whole family, from concerts......