USCIS updates projected naturalization case processing and name check times
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will finish more than one million naturalization cases during fiscal year 2008 — far exceeding the number of cases completed last year. This update comes following a thorough analysis of the work completed during the last six months. ...Community Foundation supports ACC refugee outreach
Detroit — The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has awarded a grant of $150,000 over two years to the Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC), a non profit organization, for support for refugee acculturation outreach services. ACC's Community and Family Strengthening and Integration Project will target the Metro Detroit...Detroit gas station owner charged in rival’s slaying is shot to death
DETROIT — According to The Detroit News, police are investigating the killing this week of a gas station owner who was charged last year with killing a rival gas station owner during a price war. "Hassan Masbouth, 52, was shot to death outside his home in the 1600 block of Infantry on the city's southwest side at about noon. He...Granholm signs booster seat legislation
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm this week signed legislation that will require the use of approved booster seats for children who are between the ages of four and eight and less than 4 feet 9 inches tall. The bill takes effect July 1. "I am pleased today to sign into law a bill that protects...AANM founder honored at ACCESS dinner
DEARBORN — Ismael Ahmed, a driving force behind the creation of the Arab American National Museum, will be honored for his long and varied service to the community at the ACCESS 37th Anniversary Dinner on May 10 in downtown Detroit. Ahmed, who currently serves on the Museum's National Advisory Board, is also a founder of ACCESS; he...Grand success for Ollie’s
DEARBORN — The popular new Dearborn Middle Eastern restaurant Ollie's held a grand opening celebration Tuesday. The restaurant, 16351 Ford Road at Mercury Drive, began serving food in late 2007, but hadn't yet held an official opening ceremony. Ollie's has already gained a loyal following of customers. Customers said Tuesday...Israeli peace activist sees little hope
DETROIT — Israeli peace activist Neve Gordon spoke at Wayne State University on March 26 about prospects for peace in the Middle East, offering a fairly pessimistic perspective on the likelihood of a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said that while Palestinians believe that establishing their own state will create...5th Annual ACCESS environmental leadership celebration
Dearborn — The Environmental Program at ACCESS has been a leader on environmental issues in Southeast Michigan since its inception, promoting community health protection, environmental advocacy for vulnerable communities, and youth leadership development. For over a decade, ACCESS has brought a unique and important voice to the...Guantanamo’s child is America’s and Canada’s shame
"For me, Omar's age has always been the greatest factor." Omar Khadr, a Canadian citizen, was 15 at the time of his capture in Afghanistan in 2002. That's the bottom line for Michelle Shephard, the Toronto Star reporter who has covered the Khadr story since his capture. And indeed his age is an issue on more than one...
A useful guide to racist Hollywood
April 4th, 20080 As any Muslim will tell you, one of our biggest enemies is the image makers of Hollywood, who for years have advanced bad policies and encouraged stereotypes and discrimination against a community already caught in the vise of foreign policy. Anti-Muslim, anti-Arab propaganda existed long before 9/11, but the images continue to...Canada tries to change immigration rules
Canada's minority Conservative government is trying to change the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The changes are in accord with the government's over-all style. When elected, the Conservatives pledged a more open government, but in fact everything is tightly controlled by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He...Two Muslim scouts attain Eagle status
DEARBORN — Two local Arab Americans have earned the rank of Eagle Scout after being part of the Muslim Scouts of Michigan for more than a decade. Adel Makki and Abraham Baydoun, both 18, are set to receive their badges at a code of honor ceremony to be held on March 28, 7 p.m. at Bint Jbeil Cultural Center. Makki, a student...SMART debuts bilingual bus service
DEARBORN — SMART, the Detroit-area's bus system, announced its first bilingual transportation program along with Dearborn city officials Wednesday. Two new Arabic-speaking employees, a bus driver and dispatcher, were hired to enhance services in the Arab American community, offering translation for residents who need help when...Interfaith effort launched at ICA
DEARBORN — People from various faiths and backgrounds joined together for a gathering held by the Interfaith Partners of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion (MRDI), on Tuesday, March 25, at the Islamic Center of America. Interfaith Partners is a grassroots network made up of over 30 board members representing...Speaker conflates Islamism, terrorism
ANN ARBOR — On March 10th, Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser spoke at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on the subject of "Understanding Islamism: The Ideology Fueling Terrorism." Jasser's lecture was sponsored by the pro-Israel campus group, StandWithUs and drew approximately 50 attendees. Throughout the lecture, Jasser described his......
EFHS staff wear their support for sophomores
DEARBORN - Once again the staff at Edsel Ford rallied the school in a show of support for 11th grade students during the all-important MME testing days that took place during the week of March 10. The entire staff at Edsel Ford wore matching blue shirts with the slogan: "Get into Gear to Make a Great Year." "A few years back we...Free throat cancer screenings
ANN ARBOR — Can you live without your voice? What about your jaw? Would you miss it if you couldn't swallow food? Throat cancer can take all of those things away, along with your ability to eat, talk and breathe normally. These debilitating problems can be prevented, but you have to catch cancer early. The University of...Camp Invention returns to Dearborn
DEARBORN — Camp Invention, an exciting week-long, full-day experience for children entering grades one through six, will once again be back in Dearborn. This year, Miller Elementary School will host the camp during the week of August 4 through August 8. Children will have the opportunity to be inspired, express their...District presents educational series on young children
DEARBORN — April is the Month of The Young Child, and Dearborn Public Schools is pleased to announce a series of educational sessions designed to bring important information to parents and caregivers about the behavior and growth of their young children. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all primary caregivers of......
Dearborn libraries offer programs for children
DEARBORN — Dearborn's public libraries are offering upcoming programs for children. • Preschool Storytime – Children can join us for fingerplays, stories, songs and a simple craft. For ages three through five. Registration is required. Choose from these dates, times and locations: Tuesdays through May 6 at 2 p.m. or Wednesdays...“Trapped in Gaza” urged moral investing
DEARBORN — This week Students for Ethical Investments (SEI) employed their creativity and passion to promote awareness of the on-going crisis in Palestine by hosting an event called "Trapped in Gaza." SEI is a student-led humanitarian and environmental advocacy group at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Their aim is......
Maples students featured in new book
DEARBORN — Maples Elementary School and the City of Dearborn have been chosen to be featured in the book "Children of the U.S.A." published by the Global Fund for Children. "Children of the U.S.A." visits fifty-one cities — one in each state, as well as the nation's capital, Washington D.C., celebrating the diversity of...USCRI offers bilingual health toolkit
In their new communities in America, USCRI empowers and educates refugees and immigrants to promote better healthcare systems. Washington — The United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) is pleased to announce the availability of its health promotion toolkit in Arabic for use by Arabic-speaking refugees and immigrants......