The Arab American News
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AAPAC endorses Benson, donates to Dillon and Bouchard
The Arab American Political Action Committee on Wednesday voted to contribute to several state election campaigns and endorse one candidate for Democratic nomination. Jocelyn Benson The group will give $1,000 each to Michigan gubernatorial candidates Andy Dillon, a Democrat, and Michael Bouchard, a Republican, and to...Intense performance by Arab American actor in ‘The Green Zone’
One of the most intense performances in the latest major Iraq War film, "The Green Zone" starring Matt Damon, comes from Arab American actor Said Faraj. Actor Said Faraj in "The Green Zone"Faraj plays Seyyed Hamza, a Ba'athist underling of a top general from the toppled Saddam Hussein regime. He brings an anxiety, anger, pride...Goodbye, Khalil!
AlHajal on assignment in Washington in 2009 The Arab American News reporter/editor Khalil AlHajal has accepted a position at The Flint Journal covering Flint schools and will begin work at his new job next week. AlHajal began his career at The Arab American News in December 2006 and is a graduate of the University of...Iraq election increases women in parliament regardless of vote count
BAGHDAD (McClatchy) — Maysoun al Damlouji has just one word for the male politicians who are sure to be upset when they find out their newly won parliamentary seats will be handed to female candidates under a quota to increase the role of women in the Iraqi government. An Iraqi woman votes at a polling station in Basra,...How will Health Care Reform affect the economy?
March 27th, 20100 (CSM) – President Obama's victory on the new health care bill could provide a modest boost to the U.S. job market starting this year. President Barack Obama signs the healthcare legislation during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House alongside 11 year-old Marcelas Owens in Washington, March 23, 2010. Owens lost his...Lengthy talks fail to resolve U.S.-Israeli tensions
WASHINGTON (AP) — A last-ditch effort to heal the deep dispute between two longtime allies failed when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the United States' main Mideast envoy were unable to resolve a rift over new Israeli housing in east Jerusalem. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) is greeted by Lee...Top ten reasons Jerusalem does not belong only to Jewish-Israelis
March 27th, 20100 Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told the American Israel Public Affairs Council on Monday that "Jerusalem is not a settlement." He continued that the historical connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel cannot be denied. He added that neither could the historical connection between the Jewish people and...Census to count Arabs as white, despite write-in campaign
March 27th, 20100 The Census Bureau says it doesn't matter if Arab Americans write their race in on their Census questionnaire. Even if they check the "other" box and write in "Arab," as many community groups advocate, the Census will still count them as racially white. "Anyone from Europe, North Africa or the Middle East as white," said Roberto...Hyatt’s Giulio & Sons delights travelers and locals alike
With its impressive facade and prime location, the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn has become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. But hidden inside on the second floor also lies what many consider one of the area's true culinary gems in Giulio & Sons Restaurant, which has become a favorite of both travelers and locals...The battle for Al-Azhar
The controversy surrounding the legacy of Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi, the head of the Al-Azhar mosque and university who died last week, is more complex than many would expect. Al-Azhar mosque and university. Some of his critics viewed him as the theological functionary through which the state marketed not only its...How will South Africa handle 2010 World Cup?
JERUSALEM (IPS) — Less than a hundred days to go, and the world looks on, often more with skepticism than anticipation. For five weeks from Jun. 11 to Jul. 11 threats of war will be relegated beyond the global touchlines — the world will be tuned into the battles within ten stadiums at the southern tip of Africa. The first...U.N. slams abuse of emergency law
NEW YORK — Despite diplomatic maneuvering designed to block any review of its human rights record, a United Nations special rapporteur has told the U.N. Human Rights Council that proposed changes in Egypt's constitution "would create a permanent legal state of emergency." Egyptian students protested the Emergency Law recently...NewPolicy.org: A call to action
During the past week, we have witnessed the desolate state of the peace process in Israel/Palestine. We grimaced at the sight of Vice President Joseph Biden landing in Israel, as his host country announced the building of 1600 units in an illegal settlement in East Jerusalem. We have winced in shame as the Lancet journal reported...A fatwa against terrorism that might work
Newark, Delaware — Dr. Tahir ul-Qadri, a Pakistani Islamic scholar visiting the United Kingdom, recently released a 600-page fatwa, or non-binding opinion in Islamic law, against terrorism. This fatwa might actually have an impact. It is comprehensive, direct and does not dodge any of the issues. It has come at a time when there is...Don’t confuse boycott with censorship
On March 5, 2010, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported that producer Shuki Weiss, who has been involved in producing many of the Israeli concerts headlined by international stars in recent years, has attacked human rights activists for calling on the Pixies to cancel their June 9 concert at the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds. Weiss is reported to......
Census: The time is now
Some Arab Americans are pushing a movement to fill in "Arab" under the "Other" category for the question on race. DETROIT — Census forms were mailed this week to homes accross the country. Mayor Dave Bing was at the Arab American and Chaldean Council's Youth Recreation and Leadership Center in Detroit on Thursday speaking on...Man killed in apparent racing accident
DETROIT — An apparent high-speed race between two cars on Warren Avenue near Greenfield Road in Detroit near the Dearborn border on Monday left one dead and local residents fearing for their safety after a black SUV collided with a man attempting to cross the street. The accident happened around 1 p.m. on Warren Avenue near Montrose...Developer pulls out of West Dearborn project
DEARBORN —'For Sale' signs bearing the phrase "The Dream is Over" have been posted on multiple Downtown West Dearborn buildings owned by developer Hakim Fakhoury. One of several 'For Sale' signs posted on multiple buildings owned by developer Hakim Fakhoury in Downtown West Dearborn. PHOTO: Khalil AlHajalFakhoury has blamed...Congressional candidate looks to claim district for Democrats
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — A candidate for U.S. Congress vying to uproot a conservative incumbent in an evolving local district met with Arab Americans Tuesday in Dearborn Heights. Candidate for U.S. Congress Natalie Manoogian Mosher, center, with a group of Arab Americans Tuesday. Natalie Manoogian Mosher, of Canton, is trying to......
EEOC decides Almontaser rights violated
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has found that the New York City Department of Education in 2007 discriminated against Debbie Almontaser, who was forced to resign from her position as principal of an Arabic-language public school in Brooklyn. Debbie Almontaser, former head of Khalil Gibran International Academy,...Attorney general candidate raises funds in Dearborn Heights
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette met with a group of fundraisers that included Arab Americans Tuesday in Dearborn Heights at Antonio's Cucina Italiana. Michigan attorney general candidate Bill Schuette, standing, during a Tuesday campaign fundraiser in Dearborn Heights. He......
Bernero gets union endorsement
The Michigan AFL-CIO endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero last week. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero Support from the coalition of 50 unions, representing some 600,000 workers and retirees, can give the Lansing mayor's campaign a major financial and organizational boost. Bernero, 45, will face fellow...Blues reach out to community
DETROIT — CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Daniel Loepp spoke to the Arab American and Chaldean Council's Board of Directors and Advisory Board on March 8, addressing the state's economic outlook and health care reform. BCBSM and ACC CEOs Dan Loepp and Haifa Fakhouri Loepp described the health care industry as a rare......