The Arab American News
Author's Posts
Syria’s new game: The Russian factor
Many US media commentators were fairly accurate in labeling some of the language used by Russian President Vladimir Putin in a New York Times article as "hypocritical." But mainstream U.S. media should be the last to point out anyone's hypocrisy, as it has brazenly endorsed every military intervention unleashed by their country since...Fellow humans are not “abeed”
I was prompted to write this after a recent Facebook discussion, which I weighed in on, when the term “abeed” (slaves) was used in a thread, in reference to a news story about an African American woman, who flashed an Arab American businessman in Detroit, during a verbal dispute. What was disturbing about the initial thread, before...Arab Americans roots run deep in Detroit
An excerpt of this original piece first aired on the BBC World Service program, The Fifth Floor, on September 13, 2013. The program provides an insider's view on the heart of the World Service, looking at the stories that enrich and add color to the understanding of world reporting. This piece takes the reader on a journey to...Hypocrisy and high treason: Why we should stay out of Syria
As I write this, President Obama and the militant wing of the U.S. Congress have been temporarily deflected from a war with Syria by events beyond their control — in this case, the actions of Vladimir Putin. But we must have no illusions. They will be back, stronger than ever, if given the slightest opening. Assad...Eight teens and 10-year-old arrested in Houston robberies
HOUSTON — Nine juveniles, including a 10-year-old, were arrested in a string of sometimes brutal robberies along a downtown Houston bicycle trail, police said.The suspects, all boys, told police they were an offshoot of a local gang, although police Capt. Glenn Yorek said Wednesday, Sept. 18, no official ties to the gang were...Terry Jones arrested ahead of planned Quran burning
FLORIDA — Sheriff's deputies in Polk County, Fla., arrested Pastor Terry Jones, 61, and his associate pastor, Marvin Sapp Jr., 44, each on a felony charge of unlawful conveyance of fuel, after pulling the two men over in a pickup truck that had been carrying close to 3,000 Qurans. Jones had said he was heading to a nearby park in...Indian American wins Miss America, backlash ensues
On Sunday, September 15, the "Miss America" pageant crowned its first Indian-American, Nina Davuluri. The 24-year-old Fayetteville, New York, native was on the dean's list and earned the Michigan Merit Award and National Honor Society nods, while studying at the University of Michigan, where she graduated with a degree in brain...
For women, getting an Islamic divorce can be difficult
September 20th, 20130 DETROIT — Recalling the day her Islamic divorce was finalized, Olivia a Dearborn woman, said, "I was more than ecstatic, because it was almost like having a noose around your neck, and just relieved that somebody doesn’t have that power over you, and you’re out of such a hostile situation."Olivia chose not to use her real name. She...HFCC begins semester with a projected financial turn-around, despite enrollment drop
DEARBORN — Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) may have faced a near crisis a few months ago, as it ended its winter semester with a vacant presidential seat and a $10.5 million deficit that left its large body of faculty torn over the direction of the College's future.Now, however, newly appointed HFCC president Stan Jensen says the...Arab American National Museum to expand through rehabilitation project
The Arab American National Museum (AANM) will rehabilitate and occupy the former Zamboni Room bar and Dynamic Mortgage office, located directly east of the Museum. Both spaces have been vacant for several years and are considered blighted; they will now comprise a 4,200-sq.-ft., single-story expansion of the existing...Centennial Library launches reading series on Islam
DEARBORN — The Henry Ford Centennial Library recently launched a reading and discussion series about the Islamic faith, culture, history and people. The program, which is titled “Let's Talk About It: Muslim Journeys, Connected Histories,” kicked off Tuesday, Sept. 18, with a lecture by University of Michigan Professor Stewart...Jenin Freedom Theater: Art as resistance
Ashraf wanted to be "the Palestinian Romeo." He was a student of Arna Mer, an Israeli activist, who started a theater group, as alternative education, for Palestinian children in the West Bank, during the first Intifada in 1989.Ashraf never had the chance to pursue an acting career, though. Instead, he grew up to become a fighter...
Dearborn citizens honored for crime prevention in City
September 19th, 20130 DEARBORN — The Dearborn Police Department and the City of Dearborn recently honored two Dearborn residents for their honorable actions, resulting in the prevention of crime in the City. Douglas Berry (center) is flanked by his son, Patrick, and Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad.Residents Douglas Berry and Ahmed Adam were...
City Council candidate Mike Sareini holds fundraiser
September 19th, 20130 Dearborn City Council candidate Mike Sareini held a campaign fundraiser on Tuesday, September 17 at Greenfield Manor, where over 200 attendees gathered to show their support. Sareini discussed his dedication in reaching out to residents and addressing their concerns through door-to-door knocking. Residents will have an opportunity...Gov. Snyder signs Medicaid expansion bill into law in Dearborn
DEARBORN – On Monday, Sept. 16, Gov. Rick Snyder signed the Healthy Michigan plan into law. The law is expected to expand Medicaid to nearly a half million Michigan residents. Snyder signed the landmark bill, HB 4714, into law at Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center in Dearborn, surrounded by people whose lives have been affected......
Dearborn Police ask for public help in capturing gas station robber
September 19th, 20130 DEARBORN — On September 12, 2013, a male entered the Marathon Gas Station located on Ford Rd east of Telegraph. The suspect approached the on-duty attendant, exposed a handgun, and demanded money. The attendant complied and the suspect fled the business carrying the stolen money.The suspect is described as a black male...
Two local men arrested for allegedly robbing Dearborn gas station with bug spray
September 19th, 20130 DEARBORN — On Thursday, September 12, two men were arrested by Dearborn Police for allegedly robbing the Marathon Gas Station at 23645 Ford Road, in west Dearborn, this past July, using bug spray as their weapon of choice.Joe Fawaz, 19, and Collin Kyle Peterson, 21, were arraigned at the 19th District Court for armed robbery....Thieves target charity donation boxes at local businesses
DEARBORN — Thieves are continuing to target donation boxes that are on display at local businesses. Recently, some were caught on camera, stealing the Dearborn-based Wyoming Bakery’s Sadr Foundation donation box. A video, posted on Youtube, titled “Thieves steal from orphans, take donation box at Wyoming bakery in Dearborn,”...Louisiana mayor says twerking ban a hoax
DEQUINCY, La. — The mayor of a Louisiana town falsely reported to have banned the "twerking" dance move said a misleading news release is the latest in a long line of pranks.DeQuincy Mayor Lawrence Henagan said the town's government was not behind a release that indicated it was implementing legal penalties against those caught......
Dearborn’s latest fad: The E-hookah
September 19th, 20130 DEARBORN — In recent years, argeileh (AKA hookah) smoking has become quite prevalent among Arab Americans around metro Detroit, as an upsurge of hookah lounges continue to attract young customers on a daily basis. However, what has been known to be tradition among the elderly in the Middle East for the past 800 years, is now moving in...Seven confirmed dead, 1,500 homes destroyed in Colorado floods
DENVER — Seven people were confirmed dead, and at least 1,500 homes destroyed in Colorado after a week of rare, torrential rains along the eastern slopes of the Rockies. Helicopter search-and-rescue flights resumed this week in flood-stricken areas.Much of the evacuation effort was focused on remote foothill and canyon communities of......
U.S. poverty rises despite economic recovery
WASHINGTON — The number of U.S. residents living in poverty edged up to 46.5 million last year, the latest sign that an economic recovery, marked by a stock market boom, has not trickled down to ordinary Americans.The figures from the Census Bureau this week highlighted the lingering scars from the 2007-2009 recession and added fresh...U.S. court defends its support for NSA collecting phone data
WASHINGTON — The surveillance court that oversees the U.S. government's massive collection of telephone data gave its fullest defense, to date, this week of why it considers the program lawful, despite the uproar it received after its existence was exposed earlier this year. Britain's Guardian newspaper disclosed the telephone......
