AAPAC elects new officers
February 20th, 20100 The Arab American Political Action Committee on Wednesday elected a new president and shook up other leadership positions in the group that vets, endorses and supports candidates in local and national elections. AAPAC President Mariam Saad Bazzi Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Mariam Saad Bazzi became the group’s new...BDS movement gains at U of M Dearborn
DEARBORN — As more people join the movement to liberate the beseiged Palestinian territory of Gaza, the need for more direction in finding focused, practical solutions has increased. The Arab Student Union lead efforts during Divestment Week at U of M - Dearborn. One of the most encouraging aspects of the campaign for...FBI searches Dearborn home
DEARBORN — FBI agents on Feb. 11 searched an east Dearborn home on the 5700 block of Appoline Street. FBI agents on Feb. 11 searched an east Dearborn home on the 5700 block of Appoline Street. Several home security surveillance cameras are installed on the outside of the home. Neighbors said they watched officials wearing FBI...Community holds fundraiser for Napoleon
DEARBORN — A largely Arab American crowd of supporters gathered to raise funds for the election campaign of Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon on Tuesday. Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon speaks to an Arab American crowd of supporters. About 300 attended the fundraiser at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn, lead by Maher...“The Future of Islam”
Some books have perfect timing. This is one of them. According to a recent Gallup World Religion Survey, a majority of Americans have little or no knowledge about Islam. Also, the study revealed a disturbing American bias against Muslims. The contagious disease of Islamophobia can be cured, and a strong antidote may be found in John L....
Dearborn football star earns free ride to CMU
February 13th, 20100 DEARBORN — Like many kids growing up in America from Middle Eastern families, Nores Fradi began his athletic career as a soccer player. Fradi signs scholarship to Central Michigan University for...HPV virus: Time to face reality
I recently contacted the Dearborn, Michigan Health Department to see if they provide the HPV vaccine. The receptionist said yes, but that it is only recommended for women ages 11-26. Beyond age 26, health insurance will not cover the vaccine and it is pricey. Depending on the clinic, the cost could range from $140-$180 per shot...Valentine’s Day parties throughout region offer Middle Eastern entertainment
Couples can dance and romance at a number of Middle Eastern-themed Valentines Day parties scheduled this weekend in the Detroit area. Singer Zak Baalbaki performs on Saturday in West Bloomfield at Al Oumara Restaruant, 6123 Haggerty Road, at 10:30 p.m. Call 248.960.0511. Jad Soudah and Mohamad Abu Sumaya perform in Dearborn on...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...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...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....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......
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...
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......
Sanctions, regime change take center stage
WASHINGTON (IPS) — With the United States Senate set to take up major sanctions legislation against Iran by mid-February, neo-conservatives and other hawks are calling on the administration of President Barack Obama to pursue a more aggressive course of "regime change" in Tehran. In recent days, their call was unexpectedly...Local groups send relief to Haiti
As the need for relief persists in Haiti, the Southfield-based Life for Relief and Development charity continues to provide assistance to the victims of the devastated country. Life for Relief and Development workers prepare supplies for Haitian earthquake victims.The group partnered with the Dubai-based Mohammed Bin Rashid......
Scott betrays ignorance of Israeli-Palestinian conflict
State Sen. Martha Scott last week defended her 2009 trip to Israel, saying she met with Palestinian lawyers during her stay there to "hear both sides of the story." State Sen. Martha Scott with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a trip to Jerusalem sponsored by an AIPAC-affiliated group.Scott met with right-wing...
Group leaders meet with attorney general
February 1st, 20100 WASHINGTON — Executives of the Arab American Institute (AAI), American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), met with Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday to discuss issues of concern to the Arab American and Muslim communities. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks to a......