Graduation Day: Layla Sareini
Layla Sareini with her familyDEARBORN— Every year, thousands of college students enthusiastically return their textbooks and dispose of their notes in anticipation of graduation. As the Arab American population continues to establish itself in local communities, the names of an increasing number of Arab American graduates are read out...Graduation Day: Ali Beydoun
Ali Beydoun with his familyDEARBORN— Every year, thousands of college students enthusiastically return their textbooks and dispose of their notes in anticipation of graduation. As the Arab American population continues to establish itself in local communities, the names of an increasing number of Arab American graduates are read out...Graduation Day: Fatima Fahs
Fatima Fahs with familyDEARBORN— Every year, thousands of college students enthusiastically return their textbooks and dispose of their notes in anticipation of graduation. As the Arab American population continues to establish itself in local communities, the names of an increasing number of Arab American graduates are read out loud...Graduation Day: Rafa Khansa
Rafa KhansaDEARBORN— Every year, thousands of college students enthusiastically return their textbooks and dispose of their notes in anticipation of graduation. As the Arab American population continues to establish itself in local communities, the names of an increasing number of Arab American graduates are read out loud at...Celebrating mothers: Amira Kassem
Amira KassemAmira Kassem is a teacher at home as much as she is a mother in the classroom, according to her daughter Julia Kassem, who teaches advanced English at Dearborn High School. Julia Kassem was taught the dual nature of the Arab American identity by her mother, who embraced American values without forgetting her...Celebrating mothers: Ensaff Sabbagh Jawad
Ensaff Sabagh JawadEnsaff Sabagh Jawad lost a husband and two sons during her lifetime. But she never let setbacks dictate her life.Ensaff Jawad was the mother of nine children, including Ali Jawad, the founder of the Lebanese American Heritage Club. The resilient mother, who passed away earlier this year, was born in the southern...Celebrating mothers: Fatima Elabed
Rashida Tlaib and Fatima ElabedThey say it takes a village to raise a child. Fatima Elabed has raised 14— seven boys and seven girls. She is the mother of former State Rep. Rashida Tlaib and prominent activist Rachid Elabed. Tlaib said humor was her mother's secret to achieve the difficult task of caring for so many children."My...Celebrating mothers: Zinat Shatila
Zinat ShatilaShatila Bakery is a symbol of the Arab American dream— a far reaching entrepreneurial success that stems from a mix of innovation and tradition. Zinat Shatila, widow of the legendary Riad Shatila, is the president of the company. She is also a hard-working mother who helped raise three women: Nada, Tanya and Batoul.Nada...Community celebrates passing of $35 million Crestwood School District bond
Dearborn Heights community members celebrate following the announcement of a passing resolution of the Crestwood School District bond. DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The efforts of community members involved in engaging residents to vote "yes" on a ballot to revamp the Crestwood District schools has paid off – and their cheerful celebration...
Trump supporter attacks Muslim woman at D.C. Starbucks
April 30th, 20160 WASHINGTON — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is asking the Metropolitan Police Department to preserve any surveillance video they may have of a Trump supporter attacking a Muslim woman. According to CAIR, a Muslim woman - who is African-American - was wearing a hijab outside of a Starbucks in Northwest, Washington on...Local Arab actor lands key role in new “Criminal Minds” spin-off
New Criminal Minds spin-off features local actor Atif HashwiHOLLYWOOD— In his first major television role, Atif Hashwi, a Dearborn native, will guest star in the CBS series “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders”, airing on May 4.The show, which debuted in March, is a spin-off of the popular “Criminal Minds”, now in its 11th...Iranian Americans: Rich culture, common challenges
Iranian Americans gather at a Taste of Iran event in Detroit.DEARBORN — As local Arab Americans go about their lives, they may or may not be aware of a smaller and equally rooted neighboring community that shares their struggles, but strives to retain its unique identity – Persian Americans. The Arab and Iranian cultures are...
Survey reveals turmoil within Dearborn Police Department
April 29th, 20160 DEARBORN- A survey reported by 7 Action News, is painting an ugly picture of life inside the Dearborn Police Department.The survey was mailed out to 180 officers, lieutenants and sergeants who work for Dearborn police. Of the 180, 124 responded to the 78-page document. 109 members of the department...Michigan House votes to study marijuana limit for drivers
LANSING - Lawmakers are tackling the topic of driving while high. They're aiming to determine how much marijuana is safe in a person's system, while behind the wheel. The House is expected to vote next week to create a commission to research the threshold of THC for driving. Currently, a bill is up...Proposal to turn unfinished Wayne County jail into soccer stadium
DETROIT — Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert and Pistons executive Arn Tellem announced a $1 billion plan to turn Wayne County's unfinished jail site into a project that includes a Major League Soccer stadium. Detroit does not have a team the competes in the MLS. The planned site is essential for Detroit to secure an MLS franchise,......
ACCESS honors Flint-area notable Arabs at annual dinner
Ghassan and Manal Saab (c ) with ACCESS officials.DETROIT — ACCESS recognized notable Arab Americans from the Flint area at its 45th annual dinner on Saturday, April 23. The social services organization gave its first "Champion of Justice" award to Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician who discovered elevated lead levels in the...
ADC-MI annual MLK banquet calls for unity, end to silence
April 29th, 20160 Dr. Mona Hanna Attisha accepts and award from ADC-MI and friends.DEARBORN — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Michigan's (ADC-MI) 17th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Banquet reflected on an overwhelming year of hate rhetoric targeting minority groups across the country. The event, held Wednesday,...Local artist wants to present Bible verses in Arabic calligraphy
Fidel Charaf.With religious restrictions on various forms of artistic expressions, including music, sculpting and painting, calligraphy became the Islamic art. The walls, columns and domes of the world's biggest mosques are decorated by skillfully crafted words and sentences. Lebanese American artist Fadel Charaf is presenting bible...Fordson students win state contest, to compete in Boston for nationals
Aya Beydoun and Mariam Makki.DEARBORN — Two Fordson High School seniors won a state contest in Grand Rapids for displaying their Arab American heritage during a broadcast production assignment; and will now be moving forward to a national contest in Boston. Aya Beydoun and Mariam Makki submitted their assignment for the......
“Hairspray Jr.” revives performing arts at Dearborn’s public schools
"Hairspray Jr." performed by students from Dearborn Public Schools.DEARBORN — The performing arts are alive and thriving at Dearborn Public schools— a fact made evident by five packed houses at performances of the musical "Hairspray Jr." at Stout Middle School. The one hour and 40 minute spectacle involved the strenuous...
Federal agency to work with Dearborn Police to improve community relations
April 29th, 20160 DEARBORN — It's been a tough few months for the Dearborn Police Department. On top of criticism over the fatal shootings of two African American residents—currently under investigation by Michigan State Police and the Wayne County Prosecutor's office— the department is also facing backlash from the Arab American community......
Michigan church’s website hacked with ISIS propoganda
Raheel Siddiqui, of Taylor.WASHINGTON — Following the death of Muslim Marine recruit Private U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell is joining three congress members from California in introducing a bill to require the Pentagon to track and make annual reports on the problem of hazing in the military. Siddiqui, 20, died on March 18,...
Arab American cops leaving Dearborn police force
April 26th, 20160 The Dearborn Police DepartmentDEARBORN — Middle Easterners in Dearborn call the city the capital of Arab America. That is evidenced by the demographics of the neighborhoods — Arabic signs on storefronts, and an abundance of Middle Eastern businesses.The city’s culture and appearance have shifted over the past 30 years, but the......
