AHRC honors global and local human rights advocates at 2025 “Spirit of Humanity” Awards Gala
November 1st, 20250 Francesca Albanese recognized for her courage in defending Palestinian rights; event spotlights Arab American advocates for justice and peace DEARBORN — The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) held its annual “Spirit of Humanity” Awards Gala on Friday, October 24, at the Fairlane Banquet Center in Dearborn, honoring...
Hamtramck Police Chief Jamil Al-Taheri resigns in legal settlement
October 31st, 20250 Al-Taheri receives $52,000 severance after city investigation linked him to corruption, domestic violence and abuse of authority HAMTRAMCK — Under a legal settlement with the city, Police Chief Jamil Al-Taheri has voluntarily resigned from his position in exchange for a $52,000 severance payment, following nearly two months of...
Dearborn Heights mourns former Mayor Ruth Canfield, the city’s first female mayor
October 24th, 20250 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — On Tuesday, funeral services were held for former Dearborn Heights Mayor Ruth A. Canfield, who passed away at the age of 85 on October 13 at a nursing home in Lansing, reportedly of natural causes. The city lowered its flags to half-staff in mourning and in recognition of her long career in public service. Ruth A....
Trump appoints Detroit marijuana grower Mark Savaya as special envoy to Iraq
October 24th, 20250 DETROIT — President Trump recently announced the appointment of Chaldean American businessman Mark Savaya, owner of one of Michigan’s largest marijuana production and distribution companies, as special envoy to Iraq. “Mark’s deep understanding of the relationship between Iraq and the United States, and his broad network of...
SNAP benefits paused in Michigan in November amid federal government shutdown
October 24th, 20250 LANSING – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has asked state officials to temporarily pause November food benefits for the roughly 1.4 million Michiganders who rely on them amid the ongoing federal shutdown. Nearly 13 percent of Michigan households receive...
“No child should fear the park”: $50 million lawsuit filed over attack on Arab American girl
October 24th, 20250 On behalf of an Arab American family whose then-7-year-old daughter was the victim of a throat-slashing attempt by a 74-year-old White man in a park in Detroit on October 8, 2024, attorney Nabih Ayad filed a civil lawsuit last week seeking $50 million in damages for the victim’s family. The lawsuit states that the defendant, Gary...
Hamtramck court dismisses election fraud charges against Councilman Muhtasin Sadman
October 24th, 20250 Four felony charges involving election law violations that were pending against a city councilman from Hamtramck, Michigan, were dismissed Monday. This was part of a case filed in August against Muhtasin Sadman, 26, one of the two Council members facing charges, including election fraud in connection with the 2023 elections. State...
Bird droppings help crack attempted hit on Macomb businessman Eddie Jawad
October 24th, 20250 MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Authorities in Macomb County have arrested Jasan Delanta Martin, 32, of Eastpointe, in connection with the October 14 attempted murder of prominent Arab American businessman Eddie Jawad, who was shot outside his gated home in Macomb Township. Martin was arraigned October 22 in 41-A District Court in Shelby...
Arab American businessman Eddie Jawad survives assassination attempt outside his Macomb Township home
October 17th, 20250 Police launch investigation; Jawad says he has no idea who targeted him MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Arab American businessman Eddie Jawad survived an attempted murder outside his house in Macomb Township on the morning of Tuesday, October 14, when a masked gunman opened fire on him as he sat in his vehicle. Jawad was struck in his right arm and...
Arab American community hosts fundraiser in Dearborn for Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist’s gubernatorial campaign
October 17th, 20250 DEARBORN — In the presence of local officials, elected leaders and community figures, the Arab American community in the Dearborn area hosted a fundraising dinner at La Pita Banquet Hall Wednesday evening in support of Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, a Democrat running for governor in next year’s election. Gilchrist is seeking...
“A deal to save Israel, not Gaza”: Arab Americans doubt Trump’s peace plan and Israel’s commitments
October 17th, 20251 DEARBORN — “Cautious optimism and distrust of Israel and the Trump administration” best describe the mood among Arab and Muslim communities in Metro Detroit following the announcement of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which began its first phase on October 9 with the release of Israeli hostages — four days before it was formally...
Adam Alharbi and Muhith Mahmood face off to succeed Mayor Amer Ghalib as Hmatramck prepares for pivotal November elections
October 17th, 20251 HAMTRAMCK — This city, the only municipality in the United States where all elected officials are Muslim, is heading toward an intense election on November 4, featuring a fierce mayoral contest between Yemeni American candidate Adam Alharbi and Bangladeshi American City Councilman Muhith Mahmood, alongside a competitive City Council...
Dearborn bids farewell to the Press & Guide newspaper, final issue will be published on October 26
October 17th, 20250 DEARBORN — On Sunday, October 26, Dearborn’s Press & Guide will publish its final issue, marking the end of more than a century of continuous publication. The newspaper announced the decision in an email to subscribers, citing “changes in the business model and rising operating costs.” Founded in 1918 as the Dearborn Press,...
Lebanese American communities in Michigan welcome Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh Moawad
October 10th, 20250 DEARBORN — In her first trip outside Washington, D.C. since assuming her post in mid-June, Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad visited Lebanese communities across Michigan on Friday, October 3, meeting with numerous community, religious and civic leaders in Dearborn, Clinton Township, Birmingham and...
AAPAC endorses candidates in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights ahead of the November 4 municipal elections
October 10th, 20250 DEARBORN — As absentee voting begins for the November 4 municipal elections, the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) has released its list of endorsed candidates in the local municipality races in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. AAPAC, which elected a new leadership team last month, held a series of meetings and interviews......
Lebanese Consulate in Detroit engages community leaders to boost expat voter registration for 2026 elections
October 10th, 20250 SOUTHFIELD — The Consulate General of Lebanon in Detroit held a meeting at its location in Southfield on Wednesday, October 8, bringing together numerous Lebanese community and religious organizations from Michigan and Ohio to discuss mechanisms for registering Lebanese expatriates wishing to vote in the Lebanon’s 2026 parliamentary...
Wayne County Judge sentences “Rouge Reaper” to 75 years for the murder of activist Bushra Mawry
October 10th, 20250 DETROIT – A Wayne County Circuit Court judge has sentenced Amir Patterson, known by the street name “Rouge Reaper”, to 75 years in prison for the murder of Arab American activist Bushra Mawry, who was shot and killed more than two years ago inside an apartment in Westland while visiting a friend and a co-worker. According to......
Dearborn Police arrest teen gang linked to car thefts and Redford shooting
October 10th, 20250 DEARBORN – After extensive investigations, Dearborn Police have arrested members of a teenage gang involved in the organized theft of vehicles and their contents across the city. On Tuesday, the Dearborn Police Department announced that it had arrested two teenage suspects, aged 15 and 16, while continuing to search for three others...
Dearborn Heights election: Four local races to shape the city’s political future
October 10th, 20250 Mo Baydoun and Denise Malinowski-Maxwell face off for mayor The city of Dearborn Heights will see four distinct local races in the November 4 elections, led by the mayoral race between City Council President Mo Baydoun and Councilwoman Denise Malinowski-Maxwell. Five additional candidates will compete in a tight race for four open...
Two men convicted in the brutal murder of jeweler Hussein “Sam” Murray in Rochester Hills home invasion
October 10th, 20250 PONTIAC — Nearly a year after the brutal killing of Arab American jeweler Hussein “Sam” Murray in his Rochester Hills home, two men — Carlos Hernandez, 38, and Joshua Zuazo, 40 — were convicted by separate Oakland County juries of first-degree murder and unlawful imprisonment for beating Murray to death and restraining his...
Bill Bazzi resigns as mayor of Dearborn Heights, heads to U.S. Embassy in Tunisia, Mo Baydoun assumes acting mayor role
October 8th, 20250 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Following the confirmation of his appointment as ambassador to Tunisia, Mayor Bill Bazzi has announced his resignation. In an eight page letter, Bazzi announced his resignation and his gratitude. “Last night, I was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Tunisia,” the letter read.......
Resilient Neighborhoods: USDA cuts could worsen food insecurity, reverse progress to improve nutrition for most vulnerable
October 5th, 20250 By Layla McMurtrie At a time when many Southeast Michigan families are turning to food banks for help, federal support is beginning to dwindle. Earlier this year, Gleaners Community Food Bank, founded in 1979, learned it would be receiving 1 million fewer pounds of food than expected. The shortfall stems from cuts to USDA programs...
Dearborn, Dearborn Heights step up security after mosque threats amid rising anti-Muslim rhetoric
October 3rd, 20250 DEARBORN, DEARBORN HEIGHTS – As online campaigns and hostile media reports continue to target Dearborn, home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the U.S., concerns are growing about potential violence against the community. Last week, local mosques faced new threats, prompting federal and local authorities to step up......
Dearborn gears up for high-stakes local elections: Hammoud seeks re-election, 13 candidates compete for seven Council seats
October 3rd, 20250 DEARBORN – Voters across Michigan can now request absentee ballots by mail for the upcoming local elections on Tuesday, November 4. The elections will include mayoral races, City Council contests, clerk positions and ballot initiatives in many municipalities across the state. In Dearborn, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud will seek a second...
Grand Blanc Mormon church massacre leaves four dead, eight injured
October 3rd, 20250 GRAND BLANC – A Mormon church in this community was the target of a bloody terrorist massacre during Sunday services, leaving four people dead and eight others injured. The assailant, who rammed his truck into the building before opening fire on hundreds of worshipers and setting the church ablaze, was killed by police. The church was......
