Michigan’s economy showing signs of improvement
Michigan’s economy is beginning to show signs of strength. Although our unemployment rate is still one of the highest in the nation, it is inching downward. These are good signs, but we must be aware of potential shortfalls if we want our state to keep moving forward.One roadblock to Michigan’s recovery is our single-industry,...Navigating Syria: The Impossible, Indispensable Mission
I unfriended another Facebook friend this week. It may seem to be a trivial matter, but for me, it is not. The reason behind my action was Syria. As in Egypt, Syria has instigated many social media breakups with people whom, until then, were regarded with a degree of respect and admiration.But this is not a social media affair. The...Happy Mother’s Day to the lowest-paid workers in America
This Sunday, as we offer praise and gratitude to our mothers, I want to suggest that we acknowledge the millions of mothers earning minimum wage who struggle every day just to provide basic necessities for their families. For these mothers, I would bet that brunch and flowers are low on the list of priorities this Sunday.In her recent...The U.S. government should stop supporting jihadists in Syria
Two weeks ago, FBI Director James Comey visited Detroit as part of a speaking tour he embarked upon to numerous field offices. Our newspaper reported, “Comey said homegrown violent extremists and the emergence of Syria as a new ground for jihadi fighters make counterterrorism the top priority for the bureau throughout the...Interfaith cooperation builds bridges and understanding
While US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew arrived in Detroit this week to "highlight the Obama Administration's continued commitment to the city's revitalization," we were appalled Monday night by Bill O'Reilly's peppering and pressuring of Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, to admit that there are “jihadist mosques” in...New York Mayor Bill de Blasio should be applauded
When politicians publicly speak out against the violations of Arab and Muslim American civil liberties, they deserve applause. It is a courageous move, considering how much hate and misunderstanding there is surrounding both communities nationwide. Most politicians turn their face away from the hateful rhetoric and policies...Triumph of the immigrant American spirit: Meb Keflezighi and the Boston Marathon
Meb Keflezighi.Boston responded on Monday, April 21, with its vigorous spirit of community and transcendence to the cowardly terrorism that marred the Boston Marathon in 2013, coming out in record numbers for the 2014 event. The fastest man in the competition is being touted as the first American male to win since 1983. But of course...Let us not forget Qana and the victims of terrorism
It is often said that Western governments and media consider Arab lives less valuable than those of their own citizens. Civilians in the Arab world killed by foreign aggression are seen as collateral damage. Their murderers are excused, and their deaths turn into a number, flashing briefly on a TV screen. But that should never be...Are Chaldeans Arabs too? I hope so!
Amer Zahr.Before I moved to Ann Arbor in 1995, I had never met a Chaldean. Ok, in truth, I had never heard of a Chaldean. But as a freshman at the University of Michigan, and in no small part due to my curiosity and blind (and sometimes misguided) love for my fellow Arabs, I came to meet many Chaldeans, and some have...ACCESS’ honoring of LaHood was a bad choice
Last weekend, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) held its 43rd annual dinner in downtown Detroit at the Renaissance Center. Much was to be celebrated at the event, including the announcement of a $2 million endowment to be awarded to the Arab American National Museum from Arab American...Easter and America’s hope
They are holding on to the instilled American dream they saw in grandpa or even mom and dad. It's about the attainable dream of living securely with a job, a house, a car and trips to the grocery store. Don't forget a trip to the doctor when necessary. Many Americans can remember people in their family retiring at 55 - 65 years old....Irresponsible Free Press coverage misleads readers and misrepresent community
A Detroit Free Press article titled "Muslim parents upset over flyer promoting church's Easter egg hunt" was published on Thursday, April 3. After reading the story, however, one discovers that the “worry” expressed comes from only one Muslim father, Dearborn resident Majed Moughni.Niraj Warikoo, the article’s author, quoted only...Guilty until proven innocent
A federal judge acknowledged on Monday, March 31, that Mohammad Hamdan, who was allegedly planning to leave the country to join Hizbullah's fight in Syria, had no intention to harm America or Americans. The judge described the suspect as a "confused young man" yet denied him bond on the premise that he might flee.However, a question must...Free Press article misleads public; smears Dearborn Muslims
A recent Detroit Free Press article, titled "Muslim parents upset over flyer promoting church's Easter egg hunt," was published on Thursday, April 3. After reading the story, however, one discovers that the “worry” expressed comes from only one Muslim father, Dearborn resident Majed Moughni.Niraj Warikoo, the article’s author,...President Obama misses opportunity in Saudi Arabia
Last week, President Obama made an overnight trip to Saudi Arabia, wrapping up a weeklong trip to Europe and the Gulf state.He visited with Saudi leader King Abdullah in an effort to alleviate any concerns the Saudi leadership might have with America’s current foreign and economic policies. Things are changing quickly, both in......
The Fort Hood shooting should be analyzed within the larger context of U.S. militarism
On April 2, U.S. Army Specialist and Iraq war veteran Ivan Lopez opened fire at Fort Hood military base in Texas, killing four people - including himself - and injuring 16.According to Fort Hood commander General Mark A Milley, Lopez had "behavioral and mental health issues". He was under evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder...Severstal’s $8M should be used to benefit South End residents
Of all the pressing issues Dearborn residents are concerned about, the renovation of a new city hall certainly isn't one.The drastic decline in housing values since the 2008 recession considerably affected the city's greatest source of income. As property values went down, major cuts were made to public safety, and the number of...Homage to #UMDivest
After the Central Student Government at the University of Michigan voted against a resolution to set up a committee to investigate international corporations that do business with the Israeli military in order to divest from them, there was a sense of both disappointment and pride among the students.UMDivest, a group of students who...Disney, bringing back those oppressive Arabs!
Amer Zahr.This week, ABC Family picked up a pilot episode of “Alice in Arabia.” ABC Family belongs to the family of networks under the umbrella of the Walt Disney Company. The networks encapsulates the show for us:Alice in Arabia is a high-stakes drama about a rebellious teenage girl who, after tragedy befalls her......
Hamdan’s arrest: Disagreeing with the law is not an excuse to break it
March 21st, 20140 The recent arrest of Mohamad Hamdan, 22, by the FBI on charges of terrorism should serve as a stark reminder for the Arab and Muslim communities that regardless of where we stand politically, we have to be mindful and observant of the United States' laws. Mr. Hamdan is accused of providing material support to Hizbullah after he...Palestine unites us, let’s not forget its cause
Arabs are divided, drifting in disagreement over Syria, Bahrain, Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Lebanon and the Gulf. Sectarianism, ideology and politics have turned us against each other. But as divisive conflicts in the Middle East dominate our headlines, little attention has been given to the cause that unites us all: Palestine.The......
People on the ‘No Fly List’ have a right to due process
March 14th, 20140 As spring break and summer approach, many people in the community will be looking to vacation or travel overseas. But some of them might not be able to board an airplane with dignity or even get on one at all, depending on what FBI list they are on.Community members on the No Fly List will be confronted by Homeland Security agents at...Obama should act unilaterally to reduce deportations
Obama has been on the defensive on the issue of deportations lately, being called the "Deporter-in-Chief" by Janet Murguía. The criticism from the immigrant rights community has been quiet for a long time as they tried to press Congress, which seems completely unable to address the issue in the House. Now, pressure on the president is......
