The Arab American News
Author's Posts
Aging Arab Americans: The invisible elders
The decision to apply for the MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellowship last summer was not difficult. As an Arab American journalist with a keen interest in community affairs and empowerment, I know that the elderly segment of the Arab American population is, like the entire community, in need of more resources, services...U.S. health worse than nearly all other industrialized countries
WASHINGTON (IPS)— U.S. citizens suffer from poorer health than nearly all other industrialized countries, according to the first comprehensive government analysis on the subject, released Wednesday.Of 17 high-income countries looked at by a committee of experts sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the United States is at or...The depressing ‘Zero Dark Thirty’
When I watched the get-bin-Laden movie Zero Dark Thirty at a theater just outside Washington D.C., I was struck by how silent the audience was from beginning to end with almost no reaction to the climatic killing of the terrorist leader or to the film’s lame stabs at humor.For instance, the screenwriters apparently thought they had...
Arab American charged with alleged criminal enterprise
January 18th, 20130 WAYNE COUNTY — In a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Wayne County Prosecutors Office with state, county and federal agencies, an Arab American man has been arrested for an alleged real estate fraud scheme. 32-year-old Samer Salami, a licensed agent for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, has been charged with conducting an...The Pentagon as a global NRA
Given these last weeks, who doesn’t know what an AR-15 is? Who hasn’t seen the mind-boggling stats on the way assault rifles have flooded this country, or tabulations of accumulating Newtown-style mass killings, or noted that there are barely more gas stations nationwide than federally licensed firearms dealers, or heard the renewed...
New Arab owned businesses look to boost local economy
January 18th, 20130 DEARBORN/DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Arab American entrepreneurs are offering new and exciting options for residents who are looking to dine out or order take out in the nearby area. Below are three locations that have recently opened or are under new ownership (Lava Java). Each has created a positive buzz and strong word-of-mouth, hoping...Once strong Syria industry is crumbling
ALEPPO, Syria — Once cogs in a dynamic industrial engine that helped power Syria's economy, the factories in a sprawling zone in the heart of battle-ravaged Aleppo now stand largely silent, the workers mostly fled.In their place, thousands of people sheltering from the violence that has swept Syria's northern commercial capital since...Saudi clerics protest female Shura Council appointments
RIYADH — A group of hardline clerics protested outside the royal palace in Riyadh against the king's decision to appoint 30 women to the kingdom's top advisory body, a YouTube video posted on Wednesday showed.The footage of Tuesday's demonstration showed clerics protesting what they said were "dangerous changes in the country and these...Group collects clothes for needy families
DEARBORN — If you have additional clothing items you’re not planning to wear again, there’s a fast and easy way to get them to needy families. The Lebanese American Heritage Club located here is continuing to collect clothing items for needy families in the region as part of its Winter Clothing Drive. Donations are being sent to...Iraqis reject divisiveness among religious sects in their homeland
DEARBORN — More than 50 Iraqi Americans rallied outside city hall on Saturday, Jan. 12 in support of the country they trace their roots to. The demonstrators called for unity among all religious sects in the Iraq, and rejected the idea of division among Iraqi civilians. They held up signs in support of Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Al...State Department denies Syria’s use of chemical weapons despite media reports
A classified State Department cable relayed US officials’ beliefs that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against opposition rebels but an investigation on Monday concluded that Assad was in fact using riot-control gas.Foreign Policy’s “The Cable” reported Tuesday that a secret diplomatic cable provided...Number of low-income working families increases Michigan ranks 26th in the number of low-income working families
MICHIGAN — The number of low-income working families continues to grow, with nearly a third of all working families in the United States now struggling to earn enough money to meet basic needs, a new report by the Working Poor Families Project shows.In Michigan, the data found there were 308,000 low-income working families in 2011,...
A peaceful but difficult farewell
January 12th, 20130 It was an extraordinary Monday morning by all measures. The sun was shining and there wasn't a single cloud in the crisp, bright sky. At the same time, it was a day that I never wanted to come. It was 10 in the morning and time for the countdown for Kay Siblani's funeral services, then to the grave site where she would be laid to...Dearborn Police seek help finding missing woman
Dynasty MylesDEARBORN — Dearborn Police are requesting the assistance of the community in locating a missing person. Twenty-three-year-old Detroit resident, Dynasty Myles has been missing since approximately 10 p.m. on Jan. 1. She was last seen near Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn. Dynasty left her young child...Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano ordered to give deposition
DETROIT — On Wednesday, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano was ordered to give a deposition in connection to a lawsuit filed by his former aide, James Wallace, a graphic artist for the county who was let go last year, and claims he was fired for refusing to do political work. Ficano must answer questions under oath about the......
Man arrested in connection to multiple lottery ticket thefts
Joseph DemarteDEARBORN — On Jan. 6 at approximately 8 p.m. Eric Joseph Demarte, an Ohio resident, was arrested for the multiple lottery ticket thefts which occurred at the Dearborn Liquor, Sunoco Gas Station, 7-11 and Joseph’s Market in the City of Dearborn. On January 09, 2013, the Wayne County Prosecutors Office charged Demarte...Federal Judge allows plaintiffs to include Chamber in Arab festival lawsuit
DETROIT — A federal judge has ruled that the American Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) can be named as a defendant in a civil rights lawsuit involving the arrest of Christian missionaries in the city of Dearborn, which occurred during an altercation at the 2010 Arab International Festival.The four Christian missionaries, Dr....Carnival company sues former Dearborn officer for claims of rigged games at Arab Festival
DEARBORN — A retired Dearborn police officer who has been claiming certain carnival games are rigged, including those at Dearborn's annual Arab International Festival and Dearborn Height's Spirit Festival, is now being sued by the carnival company North American Midway Entertainment. Richard Margittay, 67, a former Dearborn Police...Take a stance against breast cancer, participate in Komen Detroit Race for The Cure
DETROIT — On May 18 metro-Detroiters will have the opportunity to take a stance against breast cancer by participating in the Komen Detroit Race for the Cure at Comerica Park. Registration for the event has already opened and special pricing is being offered through Feb. 1. Team registration will close May 3. After that date......
Group calls for release of American Muslim in Iran
SOUTHFIELD — The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations this week renewed its call for due process for a Michigan Muslim on the 500th day of his indefinite detention in Iran. Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine, has been detained in Iran since August of 2011 on allegations of espionage. Family members say...Petitions filed to run for Dearborn City Council
DEARBORN — Two city residents have already filed petitions to run in the upcoming city council race. The elections for the city council, mayoral and city clerk are nearly one year away. The city’s current clerk Kathy Buda has also reportedly filed a petition to run for re-election. To date no one has filed a petition to run for......
A community bids farewell to one of its greatest advocates
January 11th, 20130 WARREN — “People don’t know the amount of work Kay put behind some of the things that led to advances in this community,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Abed Hammoud said speaking at a funeral service here Monday for Kay Siblani, the longtime executive editor of The Arab American News (TAAN). Siblani was one of the paper’s...Remembering Kay Siblani
Heartfelt condolences on the passing of longtime executive editor of The Arab American News, Kay Siblani continue to be sent, and show the mark she left on journalism and the community. Siblani succumbed to cancer on Jan. 1, 2013 “We are so deeply saddened to learn of Kay’s death. She was a truly wonderful woman in every......