Michael Moore to Trump: We are all Muslim
You may remember (you do, after all, have a "perfect memory!"), that we met back in November of 1998 in the green room of a talk show where we were both scheduled to appear one afternoon. But just before going on, I was pulled aside by a producer from the show who said that you were "nervous" about being on the set with me. She...Trump time: They laughed at Reagan, too
Whatever happens with Donald Trump’s candidacy- whether he rides his durable poll numbers to the Republican nomination, runs as an independent or withdraws from the race completely- the ideas he’s introduced to the mainstream political dialogue will have a long shelf life. In the wake of the Paris attacks in November, a lot of...Three cars broken into, one stolen in Corktown; police do nothing
Shattered glass from one of the vehicles that was broken-into - The Arab American NewsDETROIT — On Sunday night, my friend and I decided to celebrate her 25th birthday by grabbing something to eat at a favorite restaurant in Detroit's popular Corktown neighborhood, where locals and visitors alike frequent various bars, restaurants and...
When fighting bigotry, perceptions matter
December 18th, 20150 Right wing social media users are falsely claiming that there was a pro-ISIS rally in Dearborn. And they have a photo of a large group of people with black flags on Warren Avenue to support their fabrication. The crowd in the picture was actually demonstrating against ISIS. However, perceptions often trump reality. Local...Visa Waiver Program overhaul is discriminatory and illegal
We fear discrimination in the name of national securityAt a time when America was busy denouncing Donald Trump's plan to ban Muslims from coming to the United States, Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill that restricts Arabs and Muslims' entry into the country.The bill excludes Iraqis and Syrians from the Visa Waiver Program even if...Elephant in the room: Terrorism and the U.S.-Gulf States alliance
President Obama with King Salman of Saudi Arabia.When it comes to existing discourse on efforts to counter radicalization and the subsequent extremism that arises, it appears that Western policymakers and media outlets want to address everything but the actual long-term causes. The elephant in the room being Gulf States (namely...Everybody condemned Trump, but xenophobia runs deep
Jeanine PirroEven Dick Cheney criticized Donald Trump. The Republican presidential candidate's call to ban Muslims from entering the United States went too far, even for far right ideologues. Despite the general atmosphere of xenophobia and skepticism of immigrants, Americans from both sides of the political spectrum came out to...
‘Muslim Killers’ may just be American terrorists
December 4th, 20150 When the name of the San Bernardino shooting suspect was released, Arab and Muslim Americans felt a heavier sense of grief for the lost lives. The fear culture that politicians and media pundits have been nurturing for years is turning into an abyss of bigotry and hatred that threatens our communities. We are not guilty, and we...Reclaiming Palestine: How Israeli Media Misread the Intifada
A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of tear gas fired by Israeli troops near the West Bank city of Nablus Nov. 28 - ReutersIsraeli commentators Yaron Friedman of Ynet News and Haviv Rettig Gur, of the Times of Israel are clueless about the driving force behind the Palestinian mobilization and collective struggle. In two recent...When will our fellow Americans condemn extremism
Donald Trump (L) whispers across to Dr. Ben Carson during the Republican debate, Nov. 10Muslim Americans are being attacked daily. Their houses of worship are being vandalized; their children are being targeted; their institutions are being demonized. The Republican presidential race has turned into a Muslim-bashing competition. And...Turkey’s downing of a Russian jet was an act of madness
"Russia is acting legally in Syria, while nations backing rebel forces there are in all acting blatant violation of international law."In considering the terrifying but also sadly predictable news of a Russian fighter jet being downed by two Turkish fighters, let’s start with one almost certain assumption — an assumption that no...These critical times require unity
A candlelight vigil at the University of Michigan-Dearborn for victims of terror, Nov. 23. Photo: Merinda ValleyWe live in critical times for our community, country and the world. Last week, terrorism struck mercilessly over three continents. Our homelands are suffering. Many Arab countries are turning into failed states ripped...
On Syrian refugees: We cannot lose our values to fear
November 19th, 20150 "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door."In the wake of the recent attacks in France, Lebanon and other places around the world, our nation has understandably become more...Top 10 reasons governors are wrong to exclude Syrian refugees
A young man carries a child as refugees arrive on a boat on the Greek island of Lesbos, Nov. 7. Photo: ReutersMore than half of U.S. governors have announced their opposition to their states taking in Syrian refugees after the Paris attacks. Although they can bother refugees, they can’t actually dictate to people who are here legally...Washington’s latest deal: Little cause for celebration
You can understand why President Obama and congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle sought to cast their end-of-October budget deal in the best possible light. They avoided a potentially catastrophic national default. They reduced the possibility of a government shutdown. And they raised the debt ceiling until March, 2017,......
Pity the democracy: Media and the election
Sit back and enjoy the ride. U.S. media run our proud American democracy. It’s in their interests to keep Donald Trump in the forefront, then shift to Ben Carson, maybe move to Carly Fiorina—just for a day– with interludes into the cozy nest of Democratic contenders. We are being toyed with by our news outlets — print, radio...Labeling victims of terror benefits ISIS
Terrorism has no religion and knows no mercy. It should be condemned without the slightest rationalization or justification. When two suicide bombers detonated their explosive belts in the crowds in the southern Beirut suburb of Borj el-Barajne, they did not discriminate between Muslims or Christians, Shi'a or Sunnis or atheists......
We’re all on the same team
"Our Olympic teams look like a little United Nations. Despite our differences, we are all one people."I cringed when Dr. Ben Carson said he wouldn't want a Muslim President. And again when Hillary Clinton claimed her biggest enemies are the Republicans. It doesn't get much more polarizing than that. The politicians...“Collateral damage” victims deserve justice
On Oct. 4, Zareena Grewal published a disturbing account of a recent U.S.-led coalition bombing in Iraq in an op-ed for the New York Times. Although the target was aimed at an ISIS weapons storage facility, the strike hit two civilian homes, killing her husband's cousin, a university professor and his young son. Others...
Sterling Heights’ silent majority defeats bigots
November 6th, 20150 Sterling Heights residents, gathered against the mosque, Sept. 10 - Archive"The Muslim religion is not a religion; it's a cult. It's a political," said Sterling Heights City Council candidate Moira Smith at an election forum last month. Her husband, Paul Smith, who was running for mayor, advocated for denying mosques on technicalities...Confronting the obvious truth: Palestinian Authority vs. the People
"The PA has morphed to become a security arm that served as a first line of defense for the Israeli army."Saeb Erekat is an enigmatic character. Despite minimal popularity among Palestinians, he is omnipresent, appears regularly on television and speaks with the moral authority of an accomplished leader whose legacy is rife with......
Homeowners must pay taxes, but government should make it simpler
A petitioner addressing Dearborn City CouncilOwning a home is a part of realizing the "American Dream." It is an immense responsibility and a great opportunity. The security a home provides and prosperity it symbolizes come at a cost. Homeowners must make their mortgage payments, maintain their properties and pay their taxes.Residents...
You should vote on Tuesday
October 29th, 20150 Dave Abdallah is a trusted community leader who can improve Dearborn HeightsArab Americans are growing in numbers and business power across Metro Detroit. Although many local Arabs are first-generation immigrants, our roots run deep here. Michigan is our home. To fortify our presence and safeguard our interests, we should engage in......
No property taxes? No problem
Did you know City Council hears cases allowing tax delinquent landlords to redeem properties lost to foreclosure? Like you, a faithful taxpayer of Dearborn, I don't want to see my neighborhood ruined. Here's the story. The city began buying up foreclosed homes from Wayne County in an effort to reduce the number of...A tale of two cities in one “Islamic capital”
Armed anti-Muslim protesters at Dearborn's Centennial LibraryI pass three stoplights on my way to work. The streets have crosswalks and people drive on the roads. There’s a McDonald’s, Burger King and a BP gas station in my city. You can buy groceries, get your car fixed or watch a movie at the theater. There’s a bowling......
