Oakland University holding debate for GOP presidential candidates
ROCHESTER, MI — Oakland University will be the site of a debate this fall between Republican candidates for president wishing to run in the 2012 election. The debate will happen on Nov. 9 from 8-10 p.m. About 15 people, including Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan and more have...Help for heating bills could halt this winter
LANSING — A recent court decision outlawing a $90 million state assistance fund could have a dramatic effect on families struggling to pay heating bills this winter.A July 21 suit filed by large utility customers and former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox in the Court of Appeals asserted that the Michigan Public Service Commission...ACLU, MIRC warn Michigan jails of costly, illegal immigration holds
DETROIT — The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center sent letters to all Michigan jails this week clarifying the obligations of local law enforcement with regards to "immigration detainers," requests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hold people in jail who would otherwise...Pittsfield academy denied rezoning request to build Islamic school; final vote expected soon
Recently some residents in Farmington filed a lawsuit against the Farmington School Board for authorizing the sale of Eagle Elementary to the Islamic Cultural Association (ICA). While the ICA was successful in their bid, Pittsfield Township-based Michigan Islamic Academy (MIA) was rejected by their city's...
Yemeni Americans twist in the wind waiting for spouses’ visas
August 5th, 20110 DEARBORN — While local Arab Americans and Latino Americans of various denominations have all had major struggles with the United States' immigration system, perhaps no group has faced as many difficulties as the Yemen American community. Long lines of Yemeni Americans asked Ambassador Feierstein for help in January but most...
More than 500 journalists from America’s leading news agencies to visit Dearborn in August
July 29th, 20110 More than 500 Journalists, editors and publishers from national publications such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and People magazine along with TV anchors from CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS and local channels as well as noted authors will visit the Arab American community in Dearborn on Aug. 10 for an exclusive event...
U.S. Boat to Gaza passengers stunned at ship impoundment
July 29th, 20110 After many months of planning and fund raising from all corners of the country, the U.S. Boat to Gaza organization prepared to set sail on its ship "The Audacity of Hope" from Athens, Greece to the besieged Gaza Strip, its cargo consisting only of letters and drawings of encouragement and solidarity according to passengers.But on June...Magistrate Elhasan named to 20th District Court
Zenna Faraj ElhasanDEABORN HEIGHTS — Zenna Faraj Elhasan, a partner of the firm Allen Brothers, Attorneys & Counselors, PLLC, has been appointed Magistrate and Probation Director of the 20th District Court in Dearborn Heights. Elhasan was appointed by the court to the position and confirmed by the Dearborn Heights City...Abercrombie & Fitch found guilty of religious discrimination over hijab
TULSA, OKLA. — The popular clothing company Abercrombie & Fitch was found to have committed religious discrimination earlier this month after they refused to hire a Muslim teen who was wearing hijab (head scarf) when she interviewed at their store in the city. Samantha Elauf was turned down in June 2008 because of her scarf...Mayor Bing outlines short-term strategy for Detroit Works Project
DETROIT — Mayor Dave Bing released information about the Detroit Works neighborhood revitalization project Wednesday at the Odd Fellows Great Room here. He said a short term intervention strategy will be implemented in the next 14 days as part of the project using data and input from the community to guide decisions about where to...American Arab Chamber leads delegation of business leaders to D.C.
WASHINGTON – The American Arab Chamber of Commerce led a group of Arab American business owners to the nation's capital on Wednesday, July 27 to discuss economic development and investment opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa. The delegation was led by Executive Director Fay Beydoun and Chairman Ahmad Chebbani. The...Gov. Snyder signs tenure changes into law
LANSING — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a new law making it easier for school districts to get rid of teachers in classrooms where scores are low. He has said in the past that the system was outdated in using seniority to determine which teachers should be laid off first or if they should be transferred to other...Borders officially closes, more than 10,000 to be laid off
ANN ARBOR – The bookstore chain Borders has thrown in the towel after attempting to find a buyer interested in keeping the chain in business. The Michigan-based company declared bankruptcy earlier this year.It will now sell itself to Hilco and Gordon Brothers, a company that liquidates businesses. About 10,700 people will lose their...Average household incomes in Michigan dropping
LANSING — Over the past decade, the average income for Michigan households dropped by more than $9,000 according tot he U.S. Census Bureau. In 2009, the average household income was $45,255 but the 2000 income level was $54,651 when adjusted for inflation. Only Hawaii has seen a bigger loss in income in that time. Some...Michigan’s unemployment rate continues to rise
LANSING — Michigan's unemployment rate has risen higher to 10.5% for the month of June, with a total of 8,000 more unemployed people compared to the month of May. This marks the fourth consecutive month in a row where the unemployment rate has risen.In total, 496,000 people are left unemployed and looking for jobs in the state. Job......
DOJ expresses interest to help CAIR-MI probe decision on Islamic School
SOUTHFIELD – The U.S. Department of Justice has expressed interest in helping the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Michigan to investigate whether local planning officials in that state are violating the religious rights of Muslims by denying a permit to build a school on property they purchased.On June 16, the Michigan Islamic...Arab American Museum receives $150,000 grant for traveling exhibit initiative
DEARBORN – Five Michigan museums including the Arab American National Museum will receive more than a half million dollars in federal money total through the Museums for America grant program.The announcement was made by the office of U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Detroit) on Tuesday. The AANM will get $150,000, the maximum amount and......
ACLU’s Elmir continues the fight for civil liberties in Detroit
DETROIT — Rana Elmir began her career in the field of journalism with the hopes of telling the important stories that the media had ignored, particularly surrounding her own community. But after graduating from Wayne State University, her career took a different path than she had imagined. "I was reporting on things like...Director uses art to educate about his culture
There is no doubt that the majority of the world is unaware of who the Assyrian people are or where they come from. But Detroit director Andre Anton has dedicated his career to educating the world about his culture and the fact that Assyrians are still very much alive and active. He created Lamassu Productions to help enlighten the world...
Snyder: It’s time to embrace immigrants
July 23rd, 20110 DETROIT — Speaking at the conference, Immigration and Michigan's Economic Future, Gov. Rick Snyder said in addition to cultural diversity, immigrants bring jobs to America. "Make no mistake about it, they are job creators, and we should be embracing that," he added. New Michigan Media members pose with Governor Rick Snyder...
Community mourns Hassan Zeidan
July 23rd, 20110 Community vows not to forget Zeidan, lessons learned as mourning continues DEARBORN – Just over a week since the shooting death of 23-year-old Hassan Zeidan rocked the local Arab American community, mourners have continued to cope in their own ways while support for Zeidan's family has continued to pour out from all......
Jewish activists launch campaign supporting divestment from Israel
DEARBORN — Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) held a protest on Tuesday evening in Dearborn outside of the Veolia Environmental Services plant on Schaefer Rd against TIAA-CREF, for investing in companies that profit from Israeli occupation in the West Bank. Jewish Voice for Peace protesting in Dearborn outside of the Veolia plant on Schaefer...Dearborn kicks off “master plan” initiative, seeks resident ideas
DEARBORN – Residents have the chance to play city planner this summer as part of a new "master plan" initiative designed to create a vision for the city's future.On Tuesday, July 19, the kick-off meeting for all residents was held at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center during which about 40 residents took surveys, held......
Awaited One Foundation event brings 2000 to Hemlock Park
DEARBORN — Last Sunday, July 17, members of the community came together at Hemlock Park in Dearborn, Michigan to celebrate the birthday of Imam Mahdi, who Shi'a Muslims consider to be the Awaited Savior along with Jesus.The event was attended by 2000 people according to its organizers and included a diverse range of people from...
Dearborn’s Saad makes the leap to Major League Soccer
July 23rd, 20110 KANSAS CITY – Soony Saad, the 18-year-old former University of Michigan forward from Dearborn who led the NCAA in scoring last fall with 19 goals, was acquired by Sporting Kansas City of the professional Major League Soccer organization early this month after the team won a lottery for the rights to sign him. Saad had......