Christmas day crotch bomber tied to FBI, Israel
The Christmas Day "terrorist" is the latest in a series of staged incidents meant to make the "Clash of Civilizations" appear plausible and "the war on terrorism" rational. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab The storyline does not hold together. Not even a little bit. As usual, the source of this media-fueled fear campaign...Unfulfilled promises: Guantanamo and torture
Last April we polled across the Arab World asking what Arabs thought was the most positive early action President Obama had taken to improve U.S.-Arab relations. High up on the list (barely topped by the decision to leave Iraq) was the president's pledge to close Guantanamo and ban torture. That this issue would out-poll Obama's early...Dollars for death, pennies for life
When the U.S. military began a major offensive in southern Afghanistan over the weekend, the killing of children and other civilians was predictable. Lofty rhetoric aside, such deaths come with the territory of war and occupation. Haitians line up during food distribution at the Cite Soleil neighborhood in Port-au-Prince...Director of Oscar-nominated movie visits UM-Dearborn
Most movie directors are perfectionists by nature, so it's no surprise that Robert Kenner had a few regrets about scenes that didn't make it into his critically-acclaimed documentary "Food, Inc." UM-Dearborn Provost Catherine A. Davy, L, helped bring Robert Kenner, the director of the critically acclaimed movie Food, Inc., to...UM-D Student government approves divestment resolution
The University of Michigan—Dearborn's student government body passed a resolution on Tuesday calling for investigation into ethical implications of University investments in companies that do business in Israel. Yusif Barakat, who was displaced from his Palestinian home as a child after Israel was established in the 1940s,...Dingell to seek re-election
DEARBORN — U.S. Rep. John Dingell announced this week that he will seek re-election. U.S. Rep. John Dingell poses with Arab American leaders in 2009. "Congressman Dingell cited Michigan's economic woes and the need to fight to protect the interests of working families as the key factors in his decision," his campaign...Darany to run for state representative
DEARBORN — City Councilman George Darany announced this week he will run for state representative. Dearborn City Councilman George Darany He will try to replace Rep. Gino Polidori, D-Dearborn, who will have exhausted term limits and will not be on the ballot. Polidori currently represents the 15th District, which includes all...Judge Hultgren to seek fourth term
DEARBORN — Judge William Hultgren last week announced he will run for a fourth term in 19th District Court. Dearborn Judge William Hultgren Hultgren served as Dearborn city attorney for 17 years before being elected to his first six-year term as judge in 1992. He ran unopposed in 1998 and 2004. Hultgren's campaign said that...Stand up and be counted
With more than $400 billion in federal grants at stake, the importance of local residents filling out the upcoming 2010 census forms is as clear as day. And with just ten questions to fill out on the census forms, which will be sent out on March 15 and take only about ten minutes to complete, standing up and being counted in 2010...Al Sultan serves mouth-watering dishes
GARDEN CITY – While the restaurant business has changed dramatically in recent years, the success of Al Sultan Restaurant in Garden City since its opening in 1997 is proof that things like attentive customer service, quality food and good value never go out of style. The restaurant, which rests on the first block of Garden City...
Film producers seeking Arab American actors for ‘Detroit Unleaded’
February 21st, 20100 A film production company is seeking Arab American actors for the upcoming full-length film "Detroit Unleaded." Local filmmaker Rola Nashef premiered the original short-film version of Detroit Unleaded in 2007. The film garnered international attention and was screened at 23 festivals, winning three awards for "Best Short Film"...
Sayed headed for the Big House
February 20th, 20100 DEARBORN — As one of the most successful sports programs in the state's history, Fordson High School has sent players from many positions to play in college. Sayed (with football) capped off one of the best receiving careers in Fordson history this past week as he agreed to become a preferred walk-on for the University...Breathing life into the moribund peace process
Peace prospects in the Middle East are bleak. Deeply troubling is Israel's gradual transformation in attitude toward the occupation of Palestinian territories seized after the 1967 war. The incremental change has been from discomfort of being an occupier to perfect ease of being the legitimate proprietor of territory that had been...
Boxing their way to the top
February 20th, 20100 A poster being spread around town by promoters DEARBORN — Knockout Fight Promotions will continue its tour of Dearborn on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Fordson High School in an event designed to showcase the famous Kronk Gym's best young Arab American boxing talent. Tickets for the event are just ten dollars and VIP tickets are also...
AAPAC elects new officers
February 20th, 20100 The Arab American Political Action Committee on Wednesday elected a new president and shook up other leadership positions in the group that vets, endorses and supports candidates in local and national elections. AAPAC President Mariam Saad Bazzi Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Mariam Saad Bazzi became the group’s new......
BDS movement gains at U of M Dearborn
DEARBORN — As more people join the movement to liberate the beseiged Palestinian territory of Gaza, the need for more direction in finding focused, practical solutions has increased. The Arab Student Union lead efforts during Divestment Week at U of M - Dearborn. One of the most encouraging aspects of the campaign for...FBI searches Dearborn home
DEARBORN — FBI agents on Feb. 11 searched an east Dearborn home on the 5700 block of Appoline Street. FBI agents on Feb. 11 searched an east Dearborn home on the 5700 block of Appoline Street. Several home security surveillance cameras are installed on the outside of the home. Neighbors said they watched officials wearing FBI......
Community holds fundraiser for Napoleon
DEARBORN — A largely Arab American crowd of supporters gathered to raise funds for the election campaign of Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon on Tuesday. Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon speaks to an Arab American crowd of supporters. About 300 attended the fundraiser at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn, lead by Maher...“The Future of Islam”
Some books have perfect timing. This is one of them. According to a recent Gallup World Religion Survey, a majority of Americans have little or no knowledge about Islam. Also, the study revealed a disturbing American bias against Muslims. The contagious disease of Islamophobia can be cured, and a strong antidote may be found in John L....
Dearborn football star earns free ride to CMU
February 13th, 20100 DEARBORN — Like many kids growing up in America from Middle Eastern families, Nores Fradi began his athletic career as a soccer player. Fradi signs scholarship to Central Michigan University for...HPV virus: Time to face reality
I recently contacted the Dearborn, Michigan Health Department to see if they provide the HPV vaccine. The receptionist said yes, but that it is only recommended for women ages 11-26. Beyond age 26, health insurance will not cover the vaccine and it is pricey. Depending on the clinic, the cost could range from $140-$180 per shot......
Valentine’s Day parties throughout region offer Middle Eastern entertainment
Couples can dance and romance at a number of Middle Eastern-themed Valentines Day parties scheduled this weekend in the Detroit area. Singer Zak Baalbaki performs on Saturday in West Bloomfield at Al Oumara Restaruant, 6123 Haggerty Road, at 10:30 p.m. Call 248.960.0511. Jad Soudah and Mohamad Abu Sumaya perform in Dearborn on...Voters’ rights advocate seeks secretary of state seat
As candidate fields become clear and campaigns gear up months ahead of November elections, several major candidates have been reaching out to Arab Americans for support, including Democratic candidate for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Jocelyn Benson Benson is scheduled to meet with local Arab American......
Iran and Israel: Reining in ‘rogue states’
February 13th, 20100 For two decades, the world has been counting on diplomacy to stop Iran's apparent quest for nuclear weapons – a diplomacy shot through, however, with the menace of ultimate recourse to the military alternative. Now, a more serious stage has been reached with the passing of the year-end deadline that President Obama had set for the...Conference explores conflict resolution among Arab American students
DEARBORN — Just about everyone is familiar with the United States Department of Defense, which was formerly known as the Department of War. But few know that there is also a grassroots movement to start a "Department of Peace" as well. Noor Kirdar from USIP presenting on women and peace building. While that movement hasn't......