Egypt jails belly dancers for “inciting debauchery”
Suha Mohammed Ali, the "Egyptian Shakira"CAIRO — A court in Egypt has sentenced two belly dancers to six months each in jail for inciting debauchery.Suha Mohammed Ali and Dalia Kamal Youssef - known as the Egyptian Shakira and Bardis - were arrested over their scantily-clad performances in videos.Lawyers filed complaints, saying they...Poetry corner: The note
This poem by Iraqi poet Ahmad Matar is translated from Arabic The note The thief has left us A note On the shelf of the pantry. It said: May god curse The prince. He has left Nothing for us To steal Except the snoring -Translated by Ali Harb ...Poetry corner: The note
This poem by Iraqi poet Ahmad Matar is translated from Arabic.The noteThe thief has left us A noteOn the shelf of the pantry.It said:May god curseThe prince.He has left Nothing for us To stealExcept the snoring-Translated by Ali Harb ...Breaking stereotypes, Arab rapper “Yung Tokes” pursues law degree
Mohamad Tokko Dearborn — In the classroom, Mohamad Tokko is an aspiring attorney; in the studio, he goes by "Yung Tokes", a hip hop artist with a message to pursue your dreams. Working to merge the two worlds, Yung Tokes' performance aims to engage the listener both musically and lyrically. "Hip hop is the best form to get my...Famed Egyptian actor Nour el-Sherif dies
CAIRO — Famed Egyptian actor Nour el-Sherif died on Tuesday. He was 69. The Egyptian state news agency said he died after battling an unspecified long illness.El-Sherif’s big break was in the late 1960s when he played a supporting role in “The Palace of Desire,” the screen adaptation of one of the novels in a trilogy by...Legendary actor Omar sharif dies
Actor Omar Sharif, best known for his portrayal of Doctor Zhivago in the hit 1966 film and for his work in "Lawrence of Arabia", died of a heart attack on Friday. He was 83.Sharif's agent Steve Kenis confirmed the death of one of the few Arab actors to make it big in Hollywood. "Omar Sharif died in Cairo of a heart attack sometime this...Activism through art brought to light at community forum
DEARBORN — Spoken word artists with roots in metro Detroit participated in a panel on the role of art in community activism on Wednesday at the Arab American National Museum. The estimated 185 diverse attendees reflected the solidarity that the panelists discussed, as people of all races, ages and religions joined the...The ‘evil eye’ and the power of Turkish coffee readings in the Muslim community
DETROIT — Belief in the “evil eye” and Turkish coffee fortunetelling readings are popular in Muslim communities; however Muslims are not supposed to engage in such superstitious beliefs and practices, according to religious leaders. “Islamically, we don’t believe in all of this superstitious stuff like the evil eye,...Comedian Nemr: Laughter brings people together
Language, food, clothes and lifestyles vary across ethnic groups and geographical regions, but to Lebanese American comedian Nemr Abou Nassar, humor transcends all cultural barriers; it is universal.That is why, throughout his career, Nemr has been able to make people across the world— from the United States to the Middle East—...Michigan film incentive positively impacts Arab actors and minority filmmakers
"Home Again," shot in Pontiac this month, involved a diverse group of local actors and producers. DETROIT — Filmmakers have been increasingly capturing Michigan’s unique ambiance with the help of a diverse group of locals— both in front of and behind the camera— since the state approved a film incentive in 2008. Michigan’s...Renowned controversial Lebanese poet Said Akl dies at 102
Said Akl.Renowned Lebanese poet and writer Said Akl passed away on Friday, Nov. 28, at the age of 102.Akl was born in 1912 in the eastern town of Zahleh, and quit school at the age of 15 to help his family after financial difficulties. He later pursued studies in literature in the 1930s after moving to Beirut.Famous for his radical...Arab Museum hosts ‘1001 laughs Dearborn comedy festival’
Zahr on stage at the comedy festival. DEARBORN — "It was an English class, but I learned Spanish instead," Arab comedian Moe Amer quipped to a crowd at the Arab American National Museum, describing his awkward transition into the Houston Public School System after his family moved to Texas from Kuwait."It's great because I'm brown and...Iconic Lebanese star Sabah dies at age 87
BEIRUT — The legendary Lebanese singer and actress Sabah passed away on Wednesday at age 87 of an unspecified illness in Beirut.Born Jeanette Gergis Al-Feghali, the artist spent most of her career acting in Egypt during the golden age of Egyptian cinema in the 1950's and 60's.Sabah released more than 50 albums and acted in 98 movies...Story about fear and destruction: Palestinian artist captures Gaza pain in clay
Iyyad Sabbah's sculptures in the Shejaiya district of Gaza City.GAZA CITY — Among the mountains of rubble littering Gaza after a deadly summer war, clay outlines emerge of men, women and children with a story to tell about fear, flight and destruction.Through his sculptures, which are made of fiberglass and covered with clay, Iyyad...Iraqi American wins first place in national body-building competition
Haider Ali. DEARBORN — Haider Ali, an Iraqi American and Dearborn resident, won first place in the Central States Championships on Saturday, Oct. 18. Ali thanked his coach Imad Alabdly, friends, family and supporters for his victory. Ali is a longtime professional pro-bodybuilder. ......
Poetry corner: A lonely man
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani.In this poem, Qabbani describes a bizarre encounter where he knocks on a stranger's door and asks her to host him. A lonely manIf I knew what I...Kelsey Museum of Archaeology to feature Islamic art show
ANN ARBOR — A medieval Egyptian water filter decorated with a prancing rabbit is just one of many intriguing objects in the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology’s upcoming special exhibition, “Pearls of Wisdom: The Arts of Islam at the University of Michigan”, opening October 15. Other objects range from medieval cut-glass...Dearborn bus tour showcases artwork
DEARBORN — The art world meets the outside world, with paintings and sculptures on display around Dearborn. The Detroit Institute of Arts and the Midwest Sculpture Initiative currently have a combined 22 pieces of art throughout the city. These replica paintings are on display until October, while the sculptures will be...French organization to celebrate North African culture
BROOMFIELD HILLS — The Alliance Francaise French Institute of Michigan (AFFIM) will celebrate North African cuisine and belly dancing at the Congregational Church of Birmingham in Bloomfield Hills on Saturday, Sept. 13.The program will include a show and a class by belly dancer Azziza and a dinner of couscous. North African desserts......
Detroit native Paul Elia inspiring youth to pursue their dreams
Elia.DETROIT — When metro Detroit native Paul Elia moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting he inspired others to follow their passions. Elia, a Chaldean American, is often approached by people asking for advice about taking risks and pursuing their dreams. It is not common for Chaldeans to go after careers in the...Arab American woman pursing photography career
Jessica Kobeissi photographing BMG Chicago's signed model Miranda Cerny.DEARBORN – Photography is an art form that has been around since the 1800s and it continues to grow in the 21st century.It is a career that has become more accessible for everyone, but it remains a competitive field.Jessica Kobeissi is just one of the female Arab......
Sally Howell discusses her new book ‘Old Islam in Detroit’
Muslims have a long and rich history in Greater Detroit, but it has not been thoroughly documented – until now. Dr. Sally Howell brings this history to life in her new book, “Old Islam in Detroit: Rediscovering the Muslim American Past” (Oxford University Press, 2014). In her book, she intends to “lay groundwork for a new...President of E! Entertainment urged to fire Joan Rivers over remarks about Palestinians
Rivers.MICHIGAN — The pressure to get Suzanne Kolb, the president of E! Entertainment, to fire the host of the network’s popular show, “Fashion Police” is mounting. “Please write to the president of E! Entertainment and demand that she fire Joan Rivers as host of “Fashion Police” for her horrifying hate speech about......