Let us not forget Qana and the victims of terrorism
It is often said that Western governments and media consider Arab lives less valuable than those of their own citizens. Civilians in the Arab world killed by foreign aggression are seen as collateral damage. Their murderers are excused, and their deaths turn into a number, flashing briefly on a TV screen. But that should never be...ACCESS’ honoring of LaHood was a bad choice
Last weekend, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) held its 43rd annual dinner in downtown Detroit at the Renaissance Center. Much was to be celebrated at the event, including the announcement of a $2 million endowment to be awarded to the Arab American National Museum from Arab American...Irresponsible Free Press coverage misleads readers and misrepresent community
A Detroit Free Press article titled "Muslim parents upset over flyer promoting church's Easter egg hunt" was published on Thursday, April 3. After reading the story, however, one discovers that the “worry” expressed comes from only one Muslim father, Dearborn resident Majed Moughni.Niraj Warikoo, the article’s author, quoted only...Guilty until proven innocent
A federal judge acknowledged on Monday, March 31, that Mohammad Hamdan, who was allegedly planning to leave the country to join Hizbullah's fight in Syria, had no intention to harm America or Americans. The judge described the suspect as a "confused young man" yet denied him bond on the premise that he might flee.However, a question must...Free Press article misleads public; smears Dearborn Muslims
A recent Detroit Free Press article, titled "Muslim parents upset over flyer promoting church's Easter egg hunt," was published on Thursday, April 3. After reading the story, however, one discovers that the “worry” expressed comes from only one Muslim father, Dearborn resident Majed Moughni.Niraj Warikoo, the article’s author,...President Obama misses opportunity in Saudi Arabia
Last week, President Obama made an overnight trip to Saudi Arabia, wrapping up a weeklong trip to Europe and the Gulf state.He visited with Saudi leader King Abdullah in an effort to alleviate any concerns the Saudi leadership might have with America’s current foreign and economic policies. Things are changing quickly, both in...Severstal’s $8M should be used to benefit South End residents
Of all the pressing issues Dearborn residents are concerned about, the renovation of a new city hall certainly isn't one.The drastic decline in housing values since the 2008 recession considerably affected the city's greatest source of income. As property values went down, major cuts were made to public safety, and the number of...Homage to #UMDivest
After the Central Student Government at the University of Michigan voted against a resolution to set up a committee to investigate international corporations that do business with the Israeli military in order to divest from them, there was a sense of both disappointment and pride among the students.UMDivest, a group of students who...
Hamdan’s arrest: Disagreeing with the law is not an excuse to break it
March 21st, 20140 The recent arrest of Mohamad Hamdan, 22, by the FBI on charges of terrorism should serve as a stark reminder for the Arab and Muslim communities that regardless of where we stand politically, we have to be mindful and observant of the United States' laws. Mr. Hamdan is accused of providing material support to Hizbullah after he...Palestine unites us, let’s not forget its cause
Arabs are divided, drifting in disagreement over Syria, Bahrain, Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Lebanon and the Gulf. Sectarianism, ideology and politics have turned us against each other. But as divisive conflicts in the Middle East dominate our headlines, little attention has been given to the cause that unites us all: Palestine.The...
People on the ‘No Fly List’ have a right to due process
March 14th, 20140 As spring break and summer approach, many people in the community will be looking to vacation or travel overseas. But some of them might not be able to board an airplane with dignity or even get on one at all, depending on what FBI list they are on.Community members on the No Fly List will be confronted by Homeland Security agents at...Arab business owners in Detroit bear responsibilities
Most gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores in Detroit are owned by Arab Americans. As the 2010 United States Census tells us, Detroit’s population is almost 83 percent African American, higher than any other major American city. There is no doubt that Arab American entrepreneurs have contributed to the economy of...Dumping the A-word and moving on
Arab and Muslim Americans have launched something, and this time, it’s actually good. What I’m talking about is a new social media campaign to end the use of the word “abed.” The movement hopes to finally convince Arab Americans that using “abed” (or its plural form “abeed”) is just plain wrong.The literal...Confronting mental illness could save lives
In the past month, the Arab American community has witnessed the suicides of two young, promising individuals. On January 21, Asil Srour Makki took her own life, and on February 7, Shady Bazzi killed himself. Both were residents of Dearborn. Both committed suicide in their own home. And both used guns.It has been...We should select our public servants based on qualifications, not ethnicity
Last week's municipal election in Dearborn was historic by more than one measure. Having an Arab American as Council President for the first time is by itself a milestone in Dearborn's history. And having a woman president is also remarkable. It was, however, disappointing to see only one woman elected out of seven council members......
Why you should vote on November 5
We live in a community that prides itself on its pursuit of the American Dream. However, although voting is an essential part of the American experience, it remains a low priority for many local Arab Americans. Nevertheless, there is simply too much at stake in the elections this year to stay at home. Our cities are going through a...In the interest of justice
The phrase, “justice delayed is justice denied,” is well known and has been repeated many times by judges and others in the legal profession. This phrase carries significance with regards to the events that have taken place, surrounding Wayne County and the current investigation by the federal government.For the record, anyone......
ADC turned its back on the community and its mission
October 11th, 20130 According to its own mission statement, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) "is a civil rights organization, committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage."However, the current leadership of the organization has turned its back on many Arab American women, who...
Celebrating our twenty-ninth anniversary, quietly
September 13th, 20130 It is our 29th anniversary. Although the occasion is worth celebrating, talk of war has overshadowed anything else. September 7, 1984, marks the birth-date of The Arab American News. On this day, the first word was written in the first story that would go into the first edition of a publication that would make history in this...Obama has no authority to attack Syria
Despite his own recent statements to the contrary, President Barack Obama has no legal authority to assault the government of Syria, even as “a warning shot.” Neither the United States Constitution, nor the War Powers Act of 1973 gives him such authority in the absence of an emergency that allows Congress no time to react.Obama...
Not another immoral, illegal war in our name
September 6th, 20130 Without a doubt, the wars on Afghanistan and Iraq will be remembered as shameful and devastating events in our nation’s history. One would have hoped that the worldwide criticism of the U.S. for entering these wars would prevent the same mistakes from happening again. However, that is clearly not the case, as the U.S. government......
U.S. air strikes on Syria will not serve U.S. or Arab interests
The media continue to beat war drums for a new war in the Middle East: Washington is about to launch an air and sea strike on Syria. The White House is convinced that the Syrian government is responsible for the use of chemical weapons on the opposition and that it is time for the U.S. to respond militarily. The intervention is intended...Garage ordinance is a safety issue, not an Arab issue
Controversy over the City of Dearborn’s newly proposed garage ordinance is growing, as the measure could be approved at the next City Council meeting Sep. 10. Many Arab Americans plan on attending the meeting and voicing their opposition to the ordinance. The Arab American News, however, would urge these residents not to take that......
Helen Thomas stayed true to herself until the end
A few months ago, I was out to lunch with a friend, who asked about my most memorable moment as a reporter. Without thinking, I immediately responded that I was lucky enough to have interviewed, twice, legendary White House Correspondent Helen Thomas, an icon in American journalism. I’ll never forget those two unique...The Arab turmoil: Where do we stand?
Seasons come and go, yet Arab countries remain in ongoing turmoil. They called it an ‘Arab Spring,’ but even if that ‘spring’ had ever existed in the shape and form that the media portrayed it to be, it never really lasted. It has now morphed into something far more complex.But it is not an ‘Islamic winter’ either; a......