The Arab American News
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Voters’ rights advocate seeks secretary of state seat
As candidate fields become clear and campaigns gear up months ahead of November elections, several major candidates have been reaching out to Arab Americans for support, including Democratic candidate for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Jocelyn Benson Benson is scheduled to meet with local Arab American...
Iran and Israel: Reining in ‘rogue states’
February 13th, 20100 For two decades, the world has been counting on diplomacy to stop Iran's apparent quest for nuclear weapons – a diplomacy shot through, however, with the menace of ultimate recourse to the military alternative. Now, a more serious stage has been reached with the passing of the year-end deadline that President Obama had set for the...Conference explores conflict resolution among Arab American students
DEARBORN — Just about everyone is familiar with the United States Department of Defense, which was formerly known as the Department of War. But few know that there is also a grassroots movement to start a "Department of Peace" as well. Noor Kirdar from USIP presenting on women and peace building. While that movement hasn't...
San Francisco community commemorates Gaza attacks, organizes activist efforts
February 13th, 20100 BURLINGAME, Calif.— Israel's first prime minister David Ben Gurion once said about displaced Palestinian refugees "the old will die and the young will forget." Mariam El Shafei, 16, lost an eye during the Dec. 2008-Jan. 2009 bombardment of Gaza. She was brought to the U.S. by the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund. El Shafei...
Development recognized as crucial for stability in Yemen
February 13th, 20100 WASHINGTON (IPS) — Amid growing concerns here over the threat posed by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a consensus is emerging among U.S. experts that Washington and other donors to Yemen must place at least as much or greater emphasis on promoting sustainable development in the Arab world's poorest country as on...2010 Census hits the road with “Be Counted” message
In January, the Census Portrait of America Road Tour started its journey across the United States to educate communities about the 2010 Census. One national and 12 regional vehicles drive around targeting high-attendance events, celebrations and ethnic community gatherings to reach out to the diverse U.S. population. To connect with...
Peaceful Palestinian resistance paying off
February 13th, 20100 For many, the idea of Palestinian resistance is synonymous with terrorism, conjuring up images of suicide bombings and rockets. This is a distortion shaped by the media and our politicians. Beyond the headlines, Palestinian resistance has always included nonviolent tactics. Today, in rural villages from Bilin and Jayyous to Nilin...Christian Arabs remain the best situated to combat the demonization of Islam
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves…" Matthew 7:15. According to Christian tradition the above quote is attributed to Jesus of Nazareth by Matthew as part of the famous Sermon on the Mount, a compilation of Jesus' sayings epitomizing his moral teachingindus....UN report challenges Israeli version of attack on civilian building in Gaza war
JERUSALEM — A new Israeli report defending the military's conduct in the Gaza war was challenged this week after evidence emerged apparently contradicting one of its key findings. Palestinian children play soccer in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, January 31, 2010. Soccer has always been popular in the Gaza Strip but...Keffiyeh war ahead
First it was the hummus war. Then it was the tabouleh war. Now get ready for the keffiyeh war. A self-described "Jewish music label and promotion company" in the United States has begun marketing a version of the traditional Arab headdress complete with blue embroidered stars of David, the symbol of the state of Israel. Shemspeed,...
Shi’a pilgrims targeted as Iraq bombings intensify
February 6th, 20100 A female suicide bomber walked into a tent full of Shi'a pilgrims on Monday, killing at least 46 people and wounding another 100 in the latest attack in the run-up to Iraqi elections next month. Iraqis mourn relatives during a mass funeral for victims of a suicide attack, northeast of Baghdad February 2, 2010. A suicide...Iraqi Vice President to visit Detroit area
Iraq VP Tariq Al-Hashimi The Chaldean Federation of America announced on Thursday that Vice President of Iraq, Tariq Al-Hashimi, is expected to visit Detroit this weekend. Al-Hashimi is scheduled to speak on Iraqi issues including upcoming elections at the Shenandoah Banquet, Golf and Conference Center, 5600 Walnut Lake Rd....Forum seeks to clarify rights
DEARBORN — The Arab Student Union and Muslim Students' Association held an event on Thursday, January 28 at the University of Michigan-Dearborn entitled "Know Your Rights," with an emphasis on clearing up important questions about law enforcement and civil rights. Detroit FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena, L, local...Corrupt Arab regimes — Who is to blame?
RAMALLAH (IPS) — The Mideast continues to be plagued by autocratic Arab regimes where human rights, democracy and freedom of speech are a pipe dream for the average citizen. But who is to blame and what can be done to amend this situation? While progress towards democratization in previously autocratic regions — including Africa,...Is Obama prepared to exert pressure on Israel?
The recent concerted push to restart the stalled peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis has been complicated by Israel's continual construction of settlements in the West Bank and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand that Israel maintain a military presence along the West Bank's border with......
ADC holds annual MLK scholarship event
DEARBORN — One of metro Detroit's most cherished Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorations marked its 11th anniversary on Jan. 29 as the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Michigan held its MLK Scholarship Awards Reception. ADC MLK Scholarship...Hamas threatens to take fight against Israel beyond Gaza
In the wake of a Hamas claim on Friday that Israeli agents assassinated one of its operatives in Dubai last week, the Islamist movement is vowing to take revenge against the Jewish state for the militant's death – even if it means going abroad. Hamas officials from Damascus, Syria, and the Gaza Strip are threatening to match what they...
U.S., Karzai clash on unconditional talks with Taliban
February 5th, 20100 KABUL (IPS) — On the surface, it would seem unlikely that Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who presides over a politically feeble government and is highly dependent on the U.S. military presence and economic assistance, would defy the United States on the issue of peace negotiations with the leadership of the Taliban insurgency....
Justice Department to investigate shooting death of imam
February 5th, 20100 DEARBORN — After the release this week of an autopsy report that stoked outrage over the FBI's fatal shooting of a Detroit imam in October, the U.S. Justice Department confirmed that it is conducting its own investigation of the incident, according to a U.S. congressman. Jamil Carswell, son of the late Imam Luqman Abdullah,......
Oscar nod for Israeli film
February 5th, 20100 The Israeli movie "Ajami," co-produced by an Israeli Palestinian and an Israeli Jew, was named this week as one of the five Oscar nominees for best foreign-language film. It takes its name from a rough neighborhood in Jaffa, a mostly Arab city just south of Tel Aviv. First it should be said that the film "Ajami" is a masterpiece by...Netanyahu digs into West Bank
MAALEH ADUMIM, Occupied West Bank (IPS) — When Benjamin Netanyahu dug a spade here and in another West Bank settlement this week, some thought the Israeli Prime Minister was actually digging a hole into current United States-sponsored peace efforts. Netanyahu plants a tree in the West Bank on Sunday.Certainly, Netanyahu was......
Iraq commission relents on 59 banned candidates
A decision by Iraq's controversial Accountability and Justice Commission (AJC) on Jan. 25 to remove 59 candidates from a list of over 500 candidates banned from running in the March parliamentary elections appears to be a sign that the AJC is softening its stance following widespread domestic opposition and a visit by U.S. Vice President...PA dictates content of Friday sermons
RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority (PA) is using West Bank mosques as a new battleground in its political offensive against its opponents within Hamas as well as critics from its own Fatah party. PA President Mahmoud AbbasEarlier this month, PA security forces raided several mosques in Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron......
