Former Abu Ghraib detainees represented by local attorney in lawsuit
Troy based civil and human rights attorney Shereef Akeel is representing more than 100 people in a lawsuit against two companies for inhumane crimes committed against former detainees of the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. The violence against prisoners came to light in 2004, and included human rights violations, sexual, physical and...County officials giving away Detroit homes for $500
DETROIT – Wayne County will begin sending people door-to-door to offer foreclosed homes in Detroit for sale for as little as $500 according to a report from WWJ. More than 6,000 homes that were foreclosed did not sell at an auction last fall. The county treasurer’s office said it is willing to negotiate with anyone living inside...Tougher Wayne State admissions policy approved
DETROIT – A new plan designed to improve Wayne State's graduation rate was approved last week according to local reports. Freshmen will be evaluated differently according to new policies, splitting them into three separate groups: those who have been accepted, those who need to finish a summer program first, and those who will be...IRS keeping close eye on ID theft, more than 100 arrests made
A crackdown in Michigan and more than 20 other states has been launched after the IRS noticed identity theft had spiked from criminals filing fake returns. Many of the scam artists obtain info from people off the Internet or by calling unsuspecting victims and using their social security numbers, names or addresses to file tax...Oversight measures urged as Michigan Homeland Security center expands
DETROIT — The Michigan Intelligence Operations Center of Lansing opened five years ago and is now expanding into southeast Michigan, a plan that has renewed opposition. The so-called "fusion center" will be the second in the state and is said to aid authorities in assessing possible threats. Opponents say that privacy invasions...Arab American Studies minor at UM-Dearborn officially approved
DEARBORN – After years of planning, the University of Michigan-Dearborn officially approved its new Arab American studies minor, which will begin for the winter 2012 semester.Students will be given the choice of several unique classes exploring the historical, political, artistic, cultural and other aspects of the Arab American history...
Wayne County’s Loan Modification Program looks to cap foreclosures
February 10th, 20120 DETROIT- With economical difficulties still straining the state of Michigan, many residents might not be aware that the Wayne County Department offers a free program to homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage. The program is an effort made by the county to put a cap on the growing number of foreclosures that have affected the...Paid parking system, rate hikes still plaguing west Dearborn businesses
DEARBORN — From the site of the former Avant Garde bridal shop on Monroe and Michigan Avenue all the way down to the old Inca Computers building near Military, the number of vacant properties in the city's west downtown area has been a problem for years. Comments from business owners and customers for the past few years have...Irvine 11 activist Shabaik heading to Detroit for three local events
Cal-Irvine grad who was convicted for protesting Israeli ambassador set to speak Eight of the ten Muslim college students from University of California, Irvine charged with unlawfully disrupting a speech by Israel's ambassador to the U.S. last year, listen to their attorneys speak after they were convicted at a court in Santa Ana,...ADC, MPAC head group of 40+ organizations demanding an investigation
In response to the report, a total of 40 coalition partners including the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and Muslim Public Affairs Council have demanded immediate action including an external investigation of the NYPD, acknowledgement of wrongdoing and a halt to such activities. “By continually violating the trust of...Cobo Center hearings packed with thousands facing foreclosure
DETROIT — Three massive hearings drew thousands to Cobo Center earlier this week as people facing foreclosure for not paying property taxes attempted to convince the Wayne County Treasurer’s office to not foreclose on their properties.Treasurer Raymond Wojtowicz is required by law to foreclose on those who haven't paid their taxes...Dr. Mohamad: A big heart for cardiology
It’s not always common for a child to know what they want to spend their adulthood pursuing. But that was the case for Dr. Tamam Mohamad, who had known he wanted to be a cardiologist since he was six years old, after his grandfather died from a heart attack. Dr. Tamam Mohamad is a fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist...Dearborn prospects sign with Michigan colleges
DEARBORN — Fordson's crosstown rivals, the Dearborn Pioneers, also placed two players on football scholarships, they announced at a Wednesday event for National Signing Day. Receiver Ryan Hansen will play wide receiver for Central Michigan next year while Keyshawn Walker will also play receiver at Northern Michigan in the Upper...Fordson football’s Leila headed to D-II runner-up Wayne State
DEARBORN – The Fordson football and other athletic programs have a long tradition of putting kids in college, and offensive lineman Ahmad Leila is the next in line.Leila will receive a partial scholarship to Wayne State University in Detroit where he will study pre-pharmacy and compete for playing time for the Warriors, who reached the...Dearborn ordered to pay $100,000 in attorney fees from festival lawsuit
DEARBORN — The city of Dearborn has been ordered to pay more than $103,000 in attorney fees for a Christian pastor who was represented by an Ann Arbor Christian based law firm in a free speech case lost by the city in May 2011. It was ruled that the pastor’s free speech rights violated at the annual Arab International Festival in......
Successful appeals granted for Islamic centers in Hamtramck
HAMTRAMCK — The Hamtramck Zoning Board yesterday approved two zoning variances for the expansion of the Islamic Center of Hamtramck and the establishment of the Ideal Islamic Center.A representative of CAIR-MI spoke on behalf of the Islamic centers at the hearing, reminding the board of federal law, which prohibits the denial of zoning...Michigan voters divided on emergency managers
DETROIT — A new WXYZ-TV/Free Press poll shows that 58% of people oppose raising fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees to fund road and bridge improvements.Those in favor voted at a 36% rate according to the poll. Among those opposed, 41% said they were strongly against it. The overall pool of respondents was 600 people from Jan.......
DHS and State Housing Authority team up to provide additional rent or mortgage assistance
Beginning Feb. 1, families affected by cash benefit lifetime limits could qualify for a total of six months housing assistance through a Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) program. Michigan Department of Human Services Director Maura D. Corrigan and a MSHDA Executive...Wayne County honoring Black History Month
DETROIT — February is Black History Month, and Wayne County is celebrating by installing a set of displays highlighting various inspirational African American achievements, milestones, leaders, and more in the city's Guardian Building, including local heroes. The exhibit will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday...New bill would require community service for cash assistance
LANSING — Joe Hune, a Republican senator from the 22nd district in Livingston County, Shiawassee County, and a portion of southern Ingham County, introduced a new bill that says people who get assistance from the state in the form of cash should be required to do community service. Examples he listed include highway...Terry Jones plans April 7 Dearborn protest at ICA
Controversial Florida Pastor Terry Jones is planning to protest in front of the Islamic Center of America on April 7. Speaking to The Arab American News by phone he invited Islamic religious leaders and Muslims to “make their case against him” there. A significant number of Jones’ supporters are expected to attend the......
Campaign spot begs question: Is Obama running for president, or Prime Minister of Israel?
February 2nd, 20120 Is Barack Obama running for reelection as President of the United States or Prime Minister of Israel? A new Obama campaign video makes it increasingly hard to tell, and even more ominously ratchets further the Israelization of US politics.False hopes of change U..S President Barack Obama was elected in 2008 amid expectations that he...Rights groups announce motion to dismiss football assault charges against local teens
SOUTHFIELD — A motion to dismiss assault charges against four Star International Academy football players was announced at a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 24, as a coalition of civil rights leaders spoke out against what they called a "sloppy" and biased investigation by Dearborn Heights police. Standing:Star International Academy......
Children witnessing domestic violence become victims too
DEARBORN - One local woman is walking around with plates and screws in her body after being physically abused by her husband. She has a dislocated hip, injured knee, broken femur and finger. WYXZ Action News, Channel 7 anchor Carolyn Clifford, ACCESS Victim of Crime Program Supervisor, Mona Makki, ACCESS Domestic...Former area student missing in Syria
FARMINGTON HILLS — Syrian American Obada Mzaik, age 21 and a former Oakland Community College student, has gone missing in Syria according to his uncle Dr. Firas Nashef. Mzaik is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Syria who was born in Columbus, Ohio and was detained in Damascus after spending about six months in the U.S.His uncle......
