The Arab American News
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AMECC issues statement regarding resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
Ramsey DassOAK PARK — Dr. Ramsey Dass, the president of the American Middle East Christians Conference issued the following statement regarding the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI: “There are those who have underestimated the influence, charisma, and intellectuality of the retiring Pope Benedict XVI. His contribution to the...Inside the 19th District Court with Judge Sam Salamey
DEARBORN — It's been almost two full months since Chief Judge Sam Salamey began his term at the 19th District Court. On Tuesday, Feb. 26, The Arab American News chronicled Dearborn's first Arab American judge and his day-to-day duties at the courthouse.A typical day for Salamey begins at 8 a.m., when he comes in to prepare for his...Arab youth make an impact at Michigan Democratic convention
DETROIT — Several Arab Americans attended the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) convention Feb.23, but it was the youth who made the Arab community more visible to the more than 3,600 delegates there. About 35 members of the Arab Student Union (ASU) from the University of Michigan Dearborn and Fordson High School (FHS) engaged...Twenty-five students awarded scholarships at ADC’s 14th Annual MLK reception
DEARBORN — The legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. shined through this past Friday at Byblos Banquet Hall when the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Michigan (ADC-MI) hosted their 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Awards Reception, co-hosted by American Citizens for Justice (ACJ).For 14 years now, the ADC has...Arabs in the media: National journalists briefed at AANM
(L-R): Rana Elmir, Osama Siblani, Imam Al-Qazwini and Robert Foley. PHOTOS: Laura FawazDEARBORN-Nearly 20 journalists from around the world who're part of the prestigious Knight Wallace journalism fellows program visited the Arab American National Museum (AANM) Tuesday where a panel discussion on reporting about Arabs living in and...Mayor O’Reilly discusses crime prevention, budgeting, and Dearborn’s future at annual address
DEARBORN — On Wednesday evening Mayor Jack O'Reilly held his 2013 State of the City Address at city hall, where he discussed the city's recent developments and upcoming projects. Dignitaries and officials at the event included Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad, 19th District Court Judge Sam Salamey, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano,...Dehumanizing the Palestinian cause on campus
Last week, StandWithUS and I-LEAD brought two Israel Defense Forces soldiers to campus with the goal of humanizing the IDF because they felt that the “media presented a skewed portrait of them.” How did the soldiers attempt to do this? By dehumanizing the Palestinian narrative — its culture, politics and people. The discourse used...Department of Defense reinstates security clearance of Muslim woman
DALLAS — Representatives from the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), a national civil liberties defense organization, is applauding administrators at the Department of Defense for reinstating the long-held security clearance of Linda Mahmoud, a hearing-impaired civil servant of Palestinian descent who had her clearance pulled because...The Tehran I remember
As someone who lived in Tehran, Iran back in the 1970’s, I especially enjoyed seeing the movie Argo win the Best Picture Oscar. It’s a great story, with compelling characters and lots of suspense. The fact that the story is true makes it even more incredible because the plot is like something that would spring from the...State recognizes Dearborn Public Schools for its anti-bullying efforts
DEARBORN — The Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) recognized Dearborn Public Schools (DPS) for its anti-bullying program, which is now being used as a model in other school districts. According to the district, MASA awarded DPS the Winners’ Circle award this year for its anti-bullying program. ...Border Patrol’s new policy praised by immigrant rights leaders
DETROIT – This week, the Alliance for Immigrants Rights and Reform and Michigan Organizing Project praised the release of a new policy memorandum from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The memo explicitly provides guidelines and some protection for people attending places of worship, schools and human service...Will Washington reciprocate? The Iranians and unconditional friendship
TEHRAN — Truth be told, this American observer has attended his share of international conferences and has traveled in more than 70 countries. But never has he visited such a complex, evolving, striving and energized society, populated by idealistic people of great warmth, sense of humor and caring for those in need...EU urges sanctions against Israel
Israel's construction in east Jerusalem is a deliberate strategy to prevent the city from becoming capital of two states, an internal EU report found Wednesday, urging members to block funding for any settlement activities.In its Jerusalem Report 2012, a copy of which was seen by AFP, the European Union said Jewish settlement...
Nasrallah refutes rumors of ill-health, Hezbollah in Syria
March 1st, 20130 BEIRUT — Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah debunked rumors regarding his health as well as reports of his deputy Naim Qassem's assassination in a televised speech Wednesday evening, while renewing calls to ward off "Sunni-Shia strife in Lebanon" and “plans to partition Syria.” Reports of Nasrallah's...FBI: Convicted killer targets two community leaders
Richard SchmidtDETROIT — According to the FBI, a convicted killer, and reported neo-Nazi sympathizer who was arrested last year with an arsenal of weapons in Ohio had compiled a list with the names of two local leaders, Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit Branch NAACP, and Scott Kaufman, CEO of the Jewish Federation......
Civil rights groups challenge judge’s gag ruling in McDonald’s non-halal case
DEARBORN — Dearborn attorney Majed Moughni, who earlier this month tried to intervene into the McDonald’s non-halal settlement and was denied by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen MacDonald, now has the backing of two civil rights groups in hopes to have the judge rescind an order which prohibited him from speaking publicly on...Officials plan on making sex between students and school officials illegal
LANSING — Elected officials in Lansing are planning on making sexual intercourse between students and school officials illegal regardless of the student’s age. The state’s senate passed SB 135 which would make sex between school officials and students a felony, and considered, “criminal sexual conduct in the third...Dearborn residents now eligible for energy savings grant program; deadline Mar. 31
DEARBORN-Residents can benefit from reduced energy bills and potentially save hundreds of dollars by participating in a BetterBuildings for Michigan program available to them for the first time because of a new partnership with the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office.The deadline for residents to sign up for the cost-savings...Hundreds gather in Kalamazoo to demand immigration reform
KALAMAZOO — Nearly 400 people packed the St. Jo Gym in Kalamazoo. They were there to tell U.S. Rep. Fred Upton that now is the time for immigration reform, and that it's time he met with immigrant advocates to make real commitments on the issue. Members came from across Upton's district - Kalamazoo, Sturgis, Hartford, Fennville,......
Courting catastrophe in Syria
The United States and Saudi Arabia appear to be ramping up aid to the Syrian rebels. Here we go again on the road to debacle. Why? The media never holds anybody to either their predictions or their results — officeholders, politicians, and of course their own pundits. And it’s a good thing for people like Bill Kristol, John McCain,...Singer Janet Jackson marries Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana
In a statement released to Entertainment Today last month, singer Janet Jackson, one of America’s biggest superstars confirmed that she and Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana were officially married. The statement read: "The rumors regarding an extravagant wedding are simply not true. Last year we were married in a quiet, private,......
Top five home improvement projects that increase your home’s value
Selling a home in today’s aggressive marketplace can be challenging. The good news is there are a few tweaks that can give homeowners a serious leg up on the competition.With the warmer months being the most active time of year to buy and sell real estate, it’s important to ensure your home is seen in the best light...Beirut infrastructure among world’s worst
The Lebanese capital’s infrastructure is among the worst of cities across the world. According to a ranking by Global Investments reported by Byblos Bank’s Lebanon This Week, Beirut placed 204th out of 221 cities worldwide and 21st out of 25 in the Middle East and Africa region. Out of 42 middle-to-high income cities,......