A hero’s welcome for Karman in Dearborn
November 18th, 20110 Yemeni community leaders awarding Tawakkul Karman, one of the leaders of the recent peaceful revoution against President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Behind them are Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly and to his right Ismael Ahmed of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab/TAAN Addressing a jubilant crowd here on Sunday,...
Newly-signed mortgage fraud bills take aim at state epidemic
November 18th, 20110 Hammoud, Tlaib among those instrumental in new legislation HammoudLANSING – Earlier this year, the state of Michigan was listed as one of the top 10 states for mortgage fraud. But a new set of bills passed late last month will increase penalties and give more authority to the state to crack down on what has become a widespread, serious...
Community leaders meet, discuss FBI wrongful arrest of a community leader
November 18th, 20110 DEARBORN — The FBI Detroit field office issued a statement this week reiterating the innocence of Bint Jebail Cultural Center President Ali Hammoud, calling him a "respected community leader" and stating once again that he was not the person sought by the federal government after a Friday night arrest made by Dearborn...Poynter includes ethnic journalists in social media training
Working as a reporter for The Arab American News has opened the door to great opportunities. One of the most exciting occurred last month when I joined journalists and media professionals from across the country at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida to participate in the seminar Elections 2012: The Campaign for Social...La Marsa Cuisine: Mediterranean food and the American dream
As the home of the largest concentration of Arab Americans outside of the Middle East, the metro Detroit area has more than its fair share of authentic Mediterranean-style restaurants.But there are still many areas where a home-style plate of shish tawook or appetizers of creamy hummus and crisp tabbouli are hard to come by. As...
Joe Biden in Detroit: “America is committed to Israel”
November 18th, 20110 Biden spoke in Detroit at the Teshiva Beth Yehudah dinner in front of hundreds of people.DETROIT — Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Dinner in front of hundreds of people telling the crowd that President Barack Obama is committed to the continued support of Israel, calling it "unbreakable." The event was...
Arab American Civil Rights League set to launch in December
November 18th, 20110 DEARBORN — While some progress has been made, the challenges for Arab Americans in the civil rights and liberties arena continue to be, in a word, overwhelming. From discrimination to immigration issues, spying allegations against federal departments and everything in between, it seems there's no shortage of challenges to be...Packing workers describe appalling conditions, file health and safety complaints
Pastor John Pitts, Interfaith Worker Justice Jose Salazar, Justice for Packing Workers Committee Tony Paris, Sugar Law Center.DETROIT — On Monday, members of the Justice for Packing Workers Committee and their supporters described appalling conditions at a local fruit packing plant, including workers being forced to stay on the job...Inkster in serious financial trouble
INKSTER — The state Treasury Department announced recently that the city of Inkster shows it is in "probable financial stress" and is having trouble dealing with a multi-million dollar deficit. Governor Rick Snyder will likely appoint a review panel to determine if the city needs an emergency manager to help solve its budget problems,...Mullin ordered to give deposition
DETROIT — Turkia Mullin, the former Wayne County director of economic development and former countyAirport Authority CEO, has been ordered to give a deposition.The order stems from a lawsuit claiming Mullin and the Airport Authority violated an open meetings act as they searched for a new director. On Nov. 22, attorneys will be allowed...Rights group files multiple-state records requests on anti-Muslim law enforcement trainings
WASHINGTON — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15 that 87 separate public records requests have been made through 15 of its chapters across the country into possible Islamophobic training of local, state, and national law enforcement personnel. The rights group seeks information about...Oakwood director honored for diversity efforts
Dearborn — At Oakwood Healthcare, efforts to eliminate health disparities and language barriers have helped ensure patient safety and provide consistent, high-quality healthcare to all—and have been recognized as a model of innovation across the nation. Rustom's endeavors to reduce the language barrier have been numerous and nearly...Occupy Detroit granted extension, looking at large office space
DETROIT — A one-week extension has been granted for protesters and organizers at Occupy Detroit, which is based out of Grand Circus Park.Participants had expected to provide heating through late fall and early winter days in the eatly days of the movement, but they now are looking at possible plans to move into an office space on...
FBI on wrongful arrest: Hammoud is a “respected community leader”
November 15th, 20110 DEARBORN – The FBI's Detroit field office issued a statement today reiterating the innocence of Ali Hammoud, President of Bint Jebail Cultural Center President Ali Hammoud, calling him a "respected community leader" and stating once again that he was not the person sought by the federal...Video: Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkul Karman speaks in Dearborn
DEARBORN- Tawakkul Karman, the first Arab and second Muslim to win the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize spoke in Dearborn on Sunday, Nov. 13 about the uprisings in the Middle East. Karman is the co-recipient of the prize and earned it for her efforts in fighting for human rights primarily during the Arab Spring. She first gained......
Lion’s share of ‘hate’ in US directed against Muslim Americans
November 14th, 20110 ‘Hate crimes’ against Muslims rise nearly 50 percent in US as racial, religious violence against other communities goes down. WASHINGTON - So-called "hate crimes" against Muslims rose nearly 50 percent in the United States in 2010, according to FBI statistics released Monday.The figures, part of a report on hate crimes, showed...Anti-bullying bill missing religious, moral conviction clauses, rights group says
SOUTHFIELD — The Michigan State House has yet to vote on a proposed anti-bullying bill, but the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Michigan is telling residents to ask their state reps to oppose the bill because it allows bullying of children based on religious beliefs and moral convictions. The Michigan State Senate recently......
Auction from Wayne County Treasurer Wojtowicz raises $22 million
DETROIT — The October 2011 auction of tax foreclosed properties has been completed and Wayne County Treasurer Raymond J. Wojtowicz has reported sales generated over $22 million. The revenue will support ongoing essential government services. "The last thing I want to do is sell someone's property. However if a taxpayer cannot or...Food stamp rules to be changed Jan. 1
LANSING — According to State Dept. of Human Services Director Maura Corrigan, food stamp applicants will be able to keep two cars to get to work, school, and job interviews as of Jan. 1The agency had been previously telling applicants who owned vehicles with market values of more than $15,000 that they'd no longer be eligible for...
Family searching for second kidney donor after success of first operation
November 11th, 20110 Mohammed Haidar, 19, hopes to follow older brother's path to health DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Brothers Rami and Mohammed Haidar each grew up facing the same struggle against the rare Alport Syndrome kidney disease, but each got a new lease on life when they received new kidneys just a month apart in the summer of 2009.But things...
Hajj after breakfast
November 11th, 20110 DEARBORN — On this Sunday afternoon, the outside of Osama Bazzi's house looks like a typical Muslim family celebrating the Eid. Children and adults sitting outside greeting and hugging each other, Food, sweets and gifts are also visible to the eye. Upon entering her house however, it might surprise you to see a four sided four foot......
MA Engineering has dynamic future, plans D.C. expansion
November 11th, 20110 Salim Sessine has come a long way since 1979, the year he emigrated to the United States from Lebanon where he was born and raised. He was only 20 then, arriving fresh out of high school and eager to pursue a college career. SessineToday he’s married with children and the president of a consulting engineering firm that generates...
New report shows racial profiling at New York-Canada border
November 11th, 20110 Echoes problems identified all across northern borderNEW YORK CITY/DETROIT — A report released on Nov. 9 by the New York University School of Law Immigrant Rights Clinic (NYU), the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and Families for Freedom (FFF) systematically confirms reports of northern border patrol agents engaged in......
Judeh elected to Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame
EAST LANSING — Jumana Judeh was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame last Thursday night at the Kellogg Center for her work with the Arab American Women's Business Council, which she founded. The council promotes and supports Arab American businesswomen. Judeh was also recognized for her work with Vista Maria in...
Yemeni Nobel Prize winner Karman coming to Michigan
November 11th, 20110 ANN ARBOR/DEARBORN – The University of Michigan and the Yemeni American community of Dearborn have both invited 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkul Karman of Yemen to speak about the role of women in the Arab Spring movements. Karman is known as the "mother of revolution" in Yemen after leading protests against President Ali......