A pattern of rejecting Islamic institutes; Feds sue Pittsfield Township
October 30th, 20150 MIA's location in Ann Arbor. DETROIT — The Justice Department announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Pittsfield Charter Township, alleging that it denied an Islamic academy a permit to build a school on a vacant land. The Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) originally brought the case...
Unjust deportations still a reality for some Arab Americans
October 30th, 20150 DEARBORN — Many Arab immigrants say they still face unjust deportation and restrictive citizenship opportunities, even after President Obama's executive action on immigration. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services makes it clear that aliens— those who are non-native and non-naturalized citizens— are subject to...
Court of appeals rules for anti-Muslim protestors at Arab festival
October 29th, 20150 CINCINNATI — The Christian evangelists who marched around Dearborn with a pig’s head on a pole and told Muslims they would "burn in hell" were within their rights under the First Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a California group of Christian...
Palestinian activists slam WXYZ for report on “America First” billboard
October 28th, 20150 "Somebody is saying America First, not Israel, in terms of spending money, in terms of priorities, in terms of policy."DETROIT — "America first," reads a billboard on Eight Mile Road in Detroit. "Not Israel.""Is it meant to be anti-Semitic or something else entirely?" asked WXYZ reporters in a segment on Thursday, Oct....
Ilitches to build new business school for Wayne State
October 28th, 20150 Photo: Wanye State University DETROIT — A $40-million Wayne State University business school named after Mike Ilitch will be built near the Red Wings arena. It is part of a string of projects funded by the billionaire Ilitches to expand the area near the city’s downtown. The new Mike Ilitch School of Business will be...
Walmart takes down Israeli soldier costume after outrage
October 28th, 20150 "This is a symbol of militarism, of oppression, of apartheid."DEARBORN — Walmart took down the page for a children’s Israeli soldier Halloween costume after outrage from the Arab American community and Palestinian solidarity activists. The costume, which made international headlines, features a red beret, a plastic gun and a...
Court of Appeals rules in favor of complaint against No-Fly List
October 26th, 20150 Mokdad with Ayad announcing the lawsuit in 2013CINCINNATI — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled Monday that the federal district court should consider a legal complaint against the No-Fly List.The appellate court issued a published opinion in favor of Saeb Mokdad, a concert promoter who sued the federal government...
Dearborn mourns the loss of Michael Berry
October 25th, 20150 DEARBORN - The namesake of the Michael Berry Career Center passed away on Saturday, October 24.Michael Berry graduated from Fordson High in 1938. He went on to graduate from Fordson Junior College and Wayne College, before earning his law degree from MSU College of Law.He became the first Muslim lawyer of Arab decent to practice law in...
Presidential candidate O’Malley on refugees: We can lead the world with compassion
October 23rd, 20150 Martin O'Malley with refugees from Syria and Iraq Photo: Merinda Valley"Assalamu allaykum; marhaba; kif halkum?" Peace be upon you; hello; how are you? Presidential candidate Martin O'Malley greeted a crowd at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in Arabic, and went on to condemn xenophobia and Islamophobia, which he said are...
Dearborn police arrest suspect in home invasion
October 23rd, 20150 KarimDearborn — Shelby Township resident Shady Bin-Emad-Sami Karim, 27, was arrested and charged with Attempted Home Invasion in Dearborn.The Felony carries a maximum 5 year penalty in prison.Based on information learned subsequent to the arrest, the Dearborn Police believe Karim may be responsible for other...
Henry Ford College hosts Michigan Fulbright members October 30
October 23rd, 20150 DEARBORN — HFC will host members of Michigan Fulbright Association and their guests in a day tour on campus Friday, October 30. The guests will attend students performance in Music, Dance, visual art and the production of the Virtual Theatricality Lab. In the afternoon, the guests will attend a panel discussion “Arab...
Wayne State will pay for med school for 10 students
October 23rd, 20150 DETROIT — Ten students will be able to earn their medical degrees for free at Wayne State University each year. The university announced Thursday it will pay for the education of 10 students from undergraduate studies to medical school through a program called Wayne Med-Direct. The program is intended to assist talented...
How does the U.S. resettle refugees?
October 23rd, 20150 Conflicts in the Middle East and other parts of the world are causing an extreme exodus. People are fleeing war-torn countries and struggling to find safety within other nation's borders. The war in Syria alone has displaced more than 12 million people since it began in 2011. The United States has committed to accepting more...State raises awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning
LANSING – Gov. Snyder proclaimed Oct. 19-24 Carbon Monoxide Safety and Awareness Week to warn residents about the gas that kills more than 500 Americans each year. Michigan's carbon monoxide poisoning tracking system found 34 unintentional deaths and 789 non-fatal unintentional carbon monoxide poisonings in 2013, the most recent year...
AAPAC to celebrate political achievements at annual dinner
October 23rd, 20150 Whitmer.DEARBORN — The Arab American Political Action Committee will celebrate the political achievements of Arab Americans at its 18th annual Dinner at the Bint Jebail Culture Center, on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The organization, which aims to empower Arab Americans politically, will honor about 13 officials whom it endorsed and helped......
Domestic violence survivor takes her abuser to court
October 23rd, 20150 Suzanne Lakkis.DEARBORN HEIGHTS — She stood on the courthouse steps, nervous and scared. She was dressed in fashionable clothing, just like she used to wear. She was holding on to a pink rose. It gave her strength and hope. Suzanne Lakkis, 51, was about to enter the courtroom to testify against her ex-boyfriend who was being charged...
Civil rights groups and Advance America Announce settlement in lawsuit over hijab
October 23rd, 20150 DEARBORN — Advance America will be implementing a new policy nationwide after a string of Muslim women had filed discriminatory complaints against the company. The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) and Advance America Cash Advance Centers, Inc. announced on Thursday, October 22 that a...
Yemeni city council candidate encourages Arab Americans to vote
October 23rd, 20150 AlmasmariHAMTRAMCK — According to City Council candidate residents should encourage each other to vote in the Nov. 3 election in order to be better represented and to change the city's current high taxes. "Your vote is your voice," said 28-year-old Almasmari, who was born in Yemen. He says he is the only Arab council candidate...
In pictures: Ashura in Dearborn
October 23rd, 20150 Every year, millions of Shi'a Muslims around the world commemorate Ashura, mourning the death of Imam Hussein – Prophet Mohammad's grandson – during a seventh-century battle.Below is a glimpse of Ashura in Dearborn. Muslim woman watches the Ashura service at the Islamic Center of America."Every tear I cry gives me the energy to......
Second annual Southend cleanup event to take place on October 24
October 23rd, 20150 DEARBORN – Community leaders are gearing up for the second annual Southend Clean Up event, taking place this Saturday. Last year, city officials and local organizations led a spring clean up event in the same neighborhood, which saw dozens of children and volunteers turn out to pick up trash along streets and...
Iraqi-born Army Lt. Col. files complaint against Michigan National Guard
October 23rd, 20150 Lieutenant Awadi (second from right) holds a press conference with the ACRL.DEARBORN — The highest-ranking Iraqi-born member of the U.S. military has filed a discriminatory complaint against the Michigan Army National Guard. On Thursday, October 22, the Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) held a press conference to announce that......
Activists condemn anti-Muslim Hamtramck campaign flyers
October 23rd, 20150 The anti-Muslim flyer that was distributed in Hamtramck.HAMTRAMCK — Hamtramck is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, but an anonymous bigoted campaign ad has agitated tensions in the city ahead of the Nov. 3 municipal elections. "Let's get the Muslim out," the ad reads. "Let's take our city back." The flyer features...
Snyder appoints Harb to circuit court
October 22nd, 20150 Adel HarbLANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Adel Harb to the 3rd Circuit Court, Wayne County, and Lawrence Paolucci to the Wayne County Probate Court.Harb is a magistrate for Dearborn's 19th District Court. Paolucci is a Court Attorney at Wayne County Probate Court."Adel and Larwrence have demonstrated a commitment to......
