Tariq Ramadan to visit Detroit MuslimFest
DEARBORN - Tariq Ramadan will be the keynote speaker on April 11 in Detroit. He will address a Sound Vision benefit speaking on the topic of "Jihad within young hearts: Toward positive engagement." The event organizer, Sound Vision, says that young Muslims today face tremendous pressures. These pressures arise from a variety of sources:...Wayne Law to break ground on Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights
DETROIT - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will speak at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University Law School, 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 17. Judge Damon Keith The ceremony comes on the heels of two generous gifts made to the Law School, including a combined gift...Students look to represent diversity at UM-Ann Arbor
With so much already on his plate at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, freshman and Dearborn Fordson graduate Jaber Saad could be excused for using his down time to relax. Jaber Saad But Saad, who came to Michigan with both a full tuition scholarship and his expected medical school tuition paid for, thanks to1947...Barakat wears Palestine on his sleeves
At most every local gathering of advocates for Palestinian rights, one figure always stands out - a 74-year-old, Haifa-born firebrand always wearing colorful skull caps, wristbands and knee-high boots over baggy pants. Yusif Barakat with a group of young Gazans "I've been unique my whole life. I've always dressed different,...Cut off the cash and Israel might behave
Israelis are not renowned for their good manners, but their treatment of Vice-President Joe Biden during his recent visit to their country went beyond chutzpah. Biden is one of Israel's staunchest supporters in Washington, and the purpose of his visit was to prepare the ground for the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the...Student group hosts Cynthia McKinney
DEARBORN – Former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney addressed a crowd of Arab American students and their families on March 19, relating stories about her career as an unrelenting, anti-war human rights activist and politician. Arab Student Union President Rashid Beyound, left, and Director of Recruitment Mahde Abdallah...Top honors student nets coveted scholarship
DEARBORN - In the city of Dearborn, few scholarship awards are more hotly contested than the Dearborn Rotary Club Harry A. Sisson Scholarship Award. Michael Makki With only the elite students from six Dearborn schools (Advanced Technology Academy, Dearborn, Divine Child, Edsel Ford, Fordson and Henry Ford Academy) all...Israeli intelligence, our constant companion
Another big week for Israeli spies - new and old. In the latest chapter of the Dubai assassination drama, Britain gave the boot Tuesday to an Israeli diplomat, asserting that Israel was involved in the forgery of U.K. passports used in the January killing of a senior Hamas operative. Meanwhile, declassified FBI documents from a...Will hookah lounges survive state smoking ban?
With dozens of area hookah lounges facing major transformation when the state’s smoking ban takes effect on May 1, business leaders are to meet with officials on March 30 to hash out details of the law. The Arab American Chamber of Commerce organized the 5:30 p.m. meeting at the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn with representatives from...AAPAC endorses Benson, donates to Dillon and Bouchard
The Arab American Political Action Committee on Wednesday voted to contribute to several state election campaigns and endorse one candidate for Democratic nomination. Jocelyn Benson The group will give $1,000 each to Michigan gubernatorial candidates Andy Dillon, a Democrat, and Michael Bouchard, a Republican, and to...Intense performance by Arab American actor in ‘The Green Zone’
One of the most intense performances in the latest major Iraq War film, "The Green Zone" starring Matt Damon, comes from Arab American actor Said Faraj. Actor Said Faraj in "The Green Zone"Faraj plays Seyyed Hamza, a Ba'athist underling of a top general from the toppled Saddam Hussein regime. He brings an anxiety, anger, pride...Hyatt’s Giulio & Sons delights travelers and locals alike
With its impressive facade and prime location, the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn has become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. But hidden inside on the second floor also lies what many consider one of the area's true culinary gems in Giulio & Sons Restaurant, which has become a favorite of both travelers and locals...NewPolicy.org: A call to action
During the past week, we have witnessed the desolate state of the peace process in Israel/Palestine. We grimaced at the sight of Vice President Joseph Biden landing in Israel, as his host country announced the building of 1600 units in an illegal settlement in East Jerusalem. We have winced in shame as the Lancet journal reported...A fatwa against terrorism that might work
Newark, Delaware — Dr. Tahir ul-Qadri, a Pakistani Islamic scholar visiting the United Kingdom, recently released a 600-page fatwa, or non-binding opinion in Islamic law, against terrorism. This fatwa might actually have an impact. It is comprehensive, direct and does not dodge any of the issues. It has come at a time when there is...Don’t confuse boycott with censorship
On March 5, 2010, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported that producer Shuki Weiss, who has been involved in producing many of the Israeli concerts headlined by international stars in recent years, has attacked human rights activists for calling on the Pixies to cancel their June 9 concert at the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds. Weiss is reported to......
Census: The time is now
Some Arab Americans are pushing a movement to fill in "Arab" under the "Other" category for the question on race. DETROIT — Census forms were mailed this week to homes accross the country. Mayor Dave Bing was at the Arab American and Chaldean Council's Youth Recreation and Leadership Center in Detroit on Thursday speaking on...Man killed in apparent racing accident
DETROIT — An apparent high-speed race between two cars on Warren Avenue near Greenfield Road in Detroit near the Dearborn border on Monday left one dead and local residents fearing for their safety after a black SUV collided with a man attempting to cross the street. The accident happened around 1 p.m. on Warren Avenue near Montrose......
Developer pulls out of West Dearborn project
DEARBORN —'For Sale' signs bearing the phrase "The Dream is Over" have been posted on multiple Downtown West Dearborn buildings owned by developer Hakim Fakhoury. One of several 'For Sale' signs posted on multiple buildings owned by developer Hakim Fakhoury in Downtown West Dearborn. PHOTO: Khalil AlHajalFakhoury has blamed...Congressional candidate looks to claim district for Democrats
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — A candidate for U.S. Congress vying to uproot a conservative incumbent in an evolving local district met with Arab Americans Tuesday in Dearborn Heights. Candidate for U.S. Congress Natalie Manoogian Mosher, center, with a group of Arab Americans Tuesday. Natalie Manoogian Mosher, of Canton, is trying to...Attorney general candidate raises funds in Dearborn Heights
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette met with a group of fundraisers that included Arab Americans Tuesday in Dearborn Heights at Antonio's Cucina Italiana. Michigan attorney general candidate Bill Schuette, standing, during a Tuesday campaign fundraiser in Dearborn Heights. He...Bernero gets union endorsement
The Michigan AFL-CIO endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero last week. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero Support from the coalition of 50 unions, representing some 600,000 workers and retirees, can give the Lansing mayor's campaign a major financial and organizational boost. Bernero, 45, will face fellow......
Blues reach out to community
DETROIT — CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Daniel Loepp spoke to the Arab American and Chaldean Council's Board of Directors and Advisory Board on March 8, addressing the state's economic outlook and health care reform. BCBSM and ACC CEOs Dan Loepp and Haifa Fakhouri Loepp described the health care industry as a rare...Upscale and down home at the same time
With so many people looking for both new tastes and healthier food choices, the spread of Lebanese cuisine in southeast Michigan has occurred at a rapid pace. Le Chef offers authentic Lebanese cooking in an elegant, upscale setting. But when owner Edward Bitar decided to open his new Lebanese restaurant Le Chef in Farmington......
Afghanistan can’t be war in a box
The event on the House floor Wednesday afternoon was monumental — the first major Congressional debate about U.S. military operations in Afghanistan since lawmakers authorized the invasion of that country in autumn 2001. But, as Rep. Patrick Kennedy noted with disgust on Wednesday, the House press gallery was nearly empty. He aptly...Ten ways to react to attacks when going against the grain
Last week a colleague who has been facing repeated and unfair attacks in the media and the blogosphere (for making arguments that cut against the conventional wisdom) sent around an email asking a number of friends and associates (including me) for advice on how to deal with the attacks. Having been smeared in similar fashion myself, I......