NAACP holds Allies, Issues and Action forum
DETROIT-On Tuesday July 10 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the Detroit NAACP branch will host its bi-monthly Allies, Issues, and Action meeting focused on the topic, "The Children of Detroit." Guest speakers include Arab American Civil Rights League Executive Director Rashid Baydoun and Nicole Stallworth, Director, Community Outreach and...
Edited Arab Festival video goes viral on Youtube; Chamber to issue response
July 7th, 20120 A video titled 'American Muslims Stone Christians in Dearborn Mi" has gone viral on Youtube within the last several days, gaining over one million views since it was uploaded on June 26. The 22-minute edited video clip partly depicts what had occurred at this years annual Arab International Festival, which was held over the Fathers Day...
Legal experts weigh in on lack of jury diversity in Metro Detroit, search for ways to increase participation
July 6th, 20120 DETROIT — "It kind of makes you scratch your head," U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara McQuade said speaking about the absence of minority jurors in southeast Michigan. Left: Chief Federal Defender Miriam Siefer, Pastor and Attorney Bertram Marks and Chief Federal Judge for the Eastern District Gerald...Store clerk defends herself against tobacco ticket violation
Two weeks ago we reported that Andy's Party Store in Dearborn was one of four businesses in the city that received tickets from the police department for selling tobacco products to minors. Our report, along with other news agencies, stated that the clerk at the store was aware that the female customer was under-age and the clerk still...Second annual open house to benefit rescued animals with special needs
DEARBORN — The Dearborn Animal Shelter cares for nearly 2,500 homeless animals that pass through its doors each year. The Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter’s Hope’s Heroes program is a fund dedicated for animals that require an extreme level of care. On July 21st, Councilman Robert Abraham and his family are hosting a...Wayne State University increases tuition, approves 2013 budget
DETROIT — Wayne State University’s Board of Governors in late June approved a $567 million operating budget for fiscal year 2013 that includes a 3.88 percent tuition increase for resident undergraduate and graduate students. Tuition will increase to $11.20 per credit hour, or $134.40 per semester for students taking 12 credit...Snyder signs for a reduction in Michigan income tax
LANSING- Governor Rick Snyder signed for a Republican-sponsered cut in the state income tax, dropping the rate to 4.25 percent on Oct.1. An increase in personal exemption will also be implemented. Democrats say the cut is very small, only about 50 cents per week, but most still voted for it. Republicans are saying that Michigan’s...CAIR-MI executive director receives award for promoting diversity
DEARBORN — CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid received an award from the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) for his work in promoting interfaith understanding and cooperation. The award was presented during a conference held June 29-30 at the Islamic Center of America here. Walid was presented the award by ISNA President...Dearborn Mayor appoints new fire chief
DEARBORN — Joseph Murray's appointment as the city's new fire chief was announced recently in the press. Murray's predecessor Richard Miller resigned to take on a position as the state's fire marshal.According to a report, City Council is expected to vote on whether to approve Murray's appointment soon, and the position has been...
New group hopes to get Arab American women’s voices heard in nationwide political scene
July 6th, 20120 DEARBORN- A new group is mobilizing Arab American women to get them politically active in the 2012 presidential election. Arab American Women for Obama (AAWO) was formed by Jumana Judeh, president of Judeh and Associates, a real estate appraisal and consulting firm. From left: Debbie Dingell, wife of Democratic Congressman...Snyder bans synthetic marijuana; AFPD pushes products off shelves
LANSING — Last week Governor Rick Snyder officially signed a package of bills banning the sale of synthetic Marijuana, which will go into effect beginning on July 1. The decision comes after months of controversy generated from the substances branded with names such as K2 and Spice, which have caused alarming side effects such as...U.S. Ambassador Ford meets with Syrian Americans in Beverly Hills
BEVERLY HILLS, MI — Members of the Syrian American community met with U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford on June 22 in an event that included a question and answer session about the current events in Syria. Ford was introduced by Congressman Gary Peters to a crowd of about 200 people. U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford Ford...Conyers takes a new federal Amer Act to Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday, representative John Conyers Jr. introduced the "Rehab and Ahmed Amer Foster Care Improvement Act of 2012," a law that will place foster children in the care of willing and capable relatives. The act was spearheaded by Dearborn residents Rehab Amer and Ahmed Amer, whose children were placed with foster...
Dearborn Police dismiss tickets given to businesses; Owners decry underage tobacco sales as entrapment stings
June 30th, 20120 DEARBORN — Last week four Dearborn businesses were cited with tickets for selling tobacco products to individuals under the age of 18 during a Dearborn Police Department compliance check. The tests were conducted using individuals affiliated with the department who were underage and were trying to purchase tobacco products to see if...
Dearborn Police Dept. gets $1,125,000 grant to hire new officers, CAAO urges diversity
June 30th, 20120 DEARBORN - The Dearborn Police Department received a grant from the Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program for more than $1,125,000 to put more police officers on the street. This year, the program has a unique requirement: all new officers hired under the grant must be military veterans......
Egyptian Americans willing to give Morsi a chance
June 30th, 20120 DETROIT - As the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Morsi became Egypt's new leader June 24, defeating the country's former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, in a historic presidential election, Egyptians around the world signaled relief over the end of an era consumed by tyranny, and the start of a new one that holds much promise. Ahmed...Human rights activist Metz passes away
Sol Metz, longtime Palestine rights activist ANN ARBOR — Sol Metz, a local longtime Palestine human rights activist lost his battle with cancer Monday in Ann Arbor. Metz was born May 15, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan. He was a faithful participant in the Palestine human rights vigils every Saturday morning on Washtenaw, in Ann......
LAHC hosts youth leaders event
The LAHC hosted the Youth Leaders Committee gala on Thursday, June 21 at Byblos Banquets, and honored the work and achievements of the Consul of Lebanon in Detroit, Bachir Tawk. Tawk has served Lebanese expatriates in Michigan and surrounding states with commitment, respect and integrity during his tenure in metro Detroit, which was his...Arab American to help restore Hemlock basketball courts
This summer Arab American Husain Bazzi is taking on a project that involves restoring the Hemlock Basketball courts. Bazzi says the Hemlock Basketball courts are a staple in the community for safe and fun recreation, and due to city budget cuts, the condition of the courts has been deteriorating. He's taking on the project as part...Religious extremists, shrinking crowds cast a shadow on annual Arab International Festival
DEARBORN — The weekend of June 15-17 brought a mixed bag of emotions at the 17th annual Arab International Festival held on Warren Avenue in Dearborn. Visitors from surrounding areas looking to indulge in the Arab culture were instead left with a bad taste in their mouth after anti-Islamic protesters antagonized locals, causing several...Dearborn professional receives national humanitarian award
Dr. Adnan Hammad speaks to the crowd during a recent event.The American Cancer Society announced that Dr. Adnan Hammad, Senior Director of the Community Health and Research Center and Chairman of the National and International Research Initiative at the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) has been named......
Protesters rally against Flagstar Bank
On June 16 about 80 people protested outside of a local Flagstar Bank. Demonstrators claim Flagstar is not a community bank that cares about people as their ads claim, and instead of modifying mortgages to keep families in their homes, would rather collect taxpayer compensation from Fannie Mae and evict people. Protesters plan on...Retirement changes expected to negatively impact current, future and retired teachers
The latest changes passed by the House amended the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System (MPSERS) and restructured pension and benefits for public school teachers and retirees. While there may be room for improvement of the current structure, many believe the bill will hurt current, future and retired educators.According to......
Michigan native returns to area as Vibra Hospital chief clinical officer
This week Southeast Michigan's Vibra Hospital announced Hani Ayyad, RN, BA, BSN, MSN, has joined the hospital as the Chief Clinical Officer. Ayyad is a native of Dearborn, Michigan. He's returning to metro-Detroit from California where he spent a year as the director of nursing for clinical care services at a level II trauma center....New website connects job seekers with employers
A new website for job openings launched last year by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation connects job-seekers with potential employers. Job-seekers can search for positions around the state, create profiles and add their resumes to the database. Companies posting openings also receive access to other MEDC talent acquisition......
