The Arab American News back issues from November 2007:
Palestinians freed after 20 years of legal battles
Nov 03, 2007; ... After a twenty-year legal ordeal, Palestinian-American activists Khader Hamide and Michel Shehadeh can finally rest. The two were part of the "LA 8," a group of seven Palestinians and a Kenyan activist based in Los Angeles. The government wanted to deport them for their activism, saying at first ...
AAPAC kicks off election season with grand banquet
Nov 03, 2007; ... Event dubbed largest Arab American political gathering in state DEARBORN - About 625 people gathered at a banquet hall in Dearborn on Friday to celebrate ten years of services from an influential group of community organizers. The Arab American Political Action Committee's 10th ...
Kucinich seeks honesty, reconciliation in foreign policy
Nov 03, 2007; ... DEARBORN - Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, while meeting with editors of The Arab American News on Sunday at a Dearborn restaurant, said that if elected, he would be willing to meet with anyone in order to work for peace in the Middle East. Even, he said, if it meant ...
Few candidates attend leadership meet
Nov 03, 2007; ... DEARBORN - The importance of the Arab American voice was the recurring topic during day one of the Arab American Institute (AAI)'s National Leadership Conference, on Friday, October 25. The issue was reinforced by several key leaders throughout the many panels, forums and discussions that took ...
Our choices for November 6, 2007
Nov 03, 2007; ... The Arab American News urges its readers to vote for Hussein Berry for the Dearborn Board of Education on Tuesday, November 6, 2007. With the loss of incumbent Mary Lane, who was a good friend to this community, it is more important than ever that we electe another friend to the ...
Last chance for two-state solution
Nov 03, 2007; ... The prevailing worldwide view of how to resolve politically the conflict of two nationalisms in Israel/Palestine is the so-called two-state solution - that is, the creation of two states, Israel and Palestine, within the boundaries of the onetime British Mandate of Palestine. Actually, this ...
Please let's prioritize Palestinian dignity
Nov 03, 2007; ... Mahmoud Jnaid recently doused himself in fuel and tried to set himself on fire before other Palestinian onlookers overpowered him. "I am Mr. Nobody," he said in an October 19th Reuters article. "When I poured the petrol on my body I felt life was the same as death," the 25-year-old said ...
Engaging Hamas and Hizbullah
Nov 03, 2007; ... Nothing could be easier in the present atmosphere than to accuse anyone who calls for recognition of and dialogue with Hamas, Hizbullah and other Islamist movements of being closet supporters of reactionary "extremism" or naive fellow travelers of "terrorists." This tactic is not surprising ...
Conservatives bow to Islamophobia
Nov 03, 2007; ... There are problems with Canada's electoral laws. As currently written, in order to vote a person has to have a street address. The authors of the law did not stop to think that, as written, the law would disenfranchise large numbers of rural voters who have only a post office box number. It ...
'Engaging the Other' focuses on dialogue
Nov 03, 2007; ... People from various backgrounds and cultures came together to participate in open dialogue during the "Engaging the Other" conference, on October 25-28, at the Dearborn Inn Marriott. The conference entitled "The Power of Compassion" included various panels and interactive group ...
Turfe gives to UM-Dearborn
Nov 03, 2007; ... DEARBORN - There's a saying by French mathematician Jean D'Alembert that Al Turfe is fond of passing on to his mathematics students at the University of Michigan-Dearborn: Algebra is generous; she often gives more than is asked of her. Yet, it's Turfe himself who has been generous this ...
Bellydance Superstars to hit Detroit!
Nov 03, 2007; ... Miles Copeland certainly didn't invent bellydancing. Nor does he claim to have discovered the art form in America. But it would be difficult to find anyone better able to take the exotic oriental dance form mainstream. That's because Copeland has a healthy respect for Arab ...
Big entertainment weekend in Detroit
Nov 10, 2007; ... DEARBORN - He strolls through Shatila Pastries with an entourage, and instantly you know something special's going on. Yep, it's Lebanese favorite Marcel Khalife, in town for a weekend of concerts with Al Mayadine Ensemble. The line at the register? A cashier in the middle of a transaction runs ...
A spiritual first in Baghdad
Nov 10, 2007; ... BAGHDAD - There is neither a cross nor a sign on the heavy metal gate to indicate that this is the official residence of one of the country's most prominent Christians, the first in Iraq in modern times to be elevated to cardinal by the Roman Catholic Church. The simple structure, in a ...
Israel escalates campaign against IAEA, ElBaradei
Nov 10, 2007; ... Israel escalated its campaign Thursday against the winner of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize, Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), by describing him as a "danger to world peace" and calling for his dismissal for what it says are his policies towards Iran's nuclear ...
Will a new Lebanese president make a difference?
Nov 10, 2007; ... Today the Christian community of Lebanon retains a political privilege from the past, privilege that comes at a heavy cost. Lebanon is on the verge of collapse if a strong and respected presidential leader does not emerge by November 24. Elections are scheduled for November 12, but they may be ...
Preparing for the inevitable in America
Nov 10, 2007; ... Despite a tragic history of regular disasters - earthquakes, hurricanes, bridge collapses and fires - Americans seem unwilling to prepare for the inevitable. This may have something to do with the forty-year conservative assault on government and the resulting skepticism about things that can't ...
Our apology for inaccurate report
Nov 10, 2007; ... A satire posted on various, webblogs a month ago made it into The Arab American News, posing as a legitimate news story. "Harvard law school expels star student for "holocaust denial," was published on page 8 of Issue 1130, dated October 6, 2007. It turned out that the story was a hoax, ...
U.S. energy challenge is Michigan's economic opportunity
Nov 10, 2007; ... During November, I will be traveling around the state with my economic development team, talking to local business leaders who are growing a new industry right here in our backyard. We'll be visiting cities where the alternative energy sector is growing jobs and helping to reduce our reliance on ...
The importance of a failed summit
Nov 10, 2007; ... Do not belittle the Annapolis summit. Despite all the prophecies of failure, justified as they are, this summit could still make an important contribution to the history of Israeli-Arab negotiations: For the first time, it will become crystal-clear who aspires toward peace and, more important, ...
Great American smokeout coming
Nov 10, 2007; ... New interactive resources available to help smokers quit SOUTHFTELD - The American Cancer Society will celebrate the 31 st anniversary of the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 15. With exactly half of the United States now protected by smoke-free laws, and a variety of ...
Smoking hazards of special concern to women, children
Nov 10, 2007; ... 59% of children face second-hand smoke at home Cigarette smoking kills about 178,000 women each year in the U.S. Smoking shaves an average of 145 years off the lives of female smokers, yet nearly one in five women 18 and older still light up. Each puff of cigarette smoke exposes ...
Dearborn boxer looking to the future
Nov 10, 2007; ... DEARBORN - Wistful fans of old-time boxing like to complain that modem fighters don't fight enough, and in some respects, they may be right. But for up-and-coming fighters like Dearbom's Brian "The Lion" Mihtar, the next challenge is often only days away. The 28-year old, ...
Senate hearing urges engagement with Muslims
Nov 10, 2007; ... WASHINGTON - At a U.S. Senate Homeland security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing held last week about "The Role of Local Law Enforcement in Countering Violent Islamist Extremism," Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) called for enhanced engagement by local law ...
Crime took life of husband, father
Nov 10, 2007; ... DETROIT - Detroit Police are still searching for a man who opened fire in a laundromat on Detroit's west side Sunday, killing one man and wounding another. The suspect entered the business about 7:30 p.m., forced open a door to an office, and started shooting at Hassan Chaaban, 47, owner ...
Low voter turnout frustrates activists
Nov 10, 2007; ... DEARBORN - Dearborn voters approved two ballot proposals Tuesday at the polls, clearing the way for City Council to attempt to sell the Dearborn Towers, and passing revisions to the city charter. Voters also re-elected school board member Joseph Guido and chose 20-year resident Mary ...
Arab youth community summit
Nov 10, 2007; ... ANN ARBOR - It's being billed as the Arab Community Summit 2007, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Sponsored by the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA), the conference is taking place Saturday, November 10, 2007 at the Trotter Multi-Cultural Center, 1443 ...
Gilda's Club to host international visitor leadership program
Nov 10, 2007; ... ROYAL OAK - Gilda's Club in Detroit will host 17 medical delegates from the Near East and North Africa in Michigan as part of an exchange program to explore breast cancer awareness and community outreach. The group that includes high-level medical experts will convene at Gilda's ...
Arab museum has bright future
Nov 10, 2007; ... The National Arab American Museum's fourth annual gala, featuring the Egyptian national Um Kulthoum Orchestra, filled the Detroit Opera House a few weeks ago with more than 2,000 guests. The museum's third annual film festival the following weekend drew large audiences. And a new jewelry ...
Innovative dinosaur show adds performances
Nov 17, 2007; ... DETROIT - By popular demand, a second week of performances has been added to see the smash hit WALKING WITH DINOSAURS - The Live Experience, at Detroit's legendary Cobo Arena, which is playing from Wednesday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Nov. 24. Detroit is the first North American city to feature ...
Hersch gives pessimistic assessment
Nov 17, 2007; ... In keynote speech renowned journalist says there is no hope for Mideast with Bush, Cheney DETROIT - Renowned investigative journalist Seymour Hersh spoke with blunt pessimism about various Middle East conflicts and the Bush administration at a banquet in Detroit on Thursday. The ...
Democracy as a means and an end
Nov 17, 2007; ... Pervez Musharraf is a liar, and not a very good one at that. How suspending the Supreme Court and postponing elections indefinitely will protect his country against Al-Qaeda and its allies isn't exacdy clear, since no known terrorists sit on the court, or for that matter, practice ...
The Sunni in Iraq's Shi'a leadership
Nov 17, 2007; ... BAGHDAD - Tariq al-Hashemi says he cringes when he's described as Iraq's Sunni vice president. Mr. Hashemi, one of two vice presidents - the other, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, is Shi'i - says he is trying to reach out to all Iraqis. In September, he met for the first time with Iraq's most ...
A study in courage and honor
Nov 17, 2007; ... On Thursday, November 8, Hon. Benjamin Settle, a federal court judge, issued a preliminary injunction halting any further court-martial proceedings of 1 st Lt. Ehren Watada and effectively ruling against the Army on virtually every issue in the case. This injunction not only extends the stay ...
A moment before the lights go out
Nov 17, 2007; ... Alan Johnston, me BBC corresponded kidnapped in Gaza, related in an interview that at a relatively early stage, he started suffering from all kinds of aches because of the water he drank. This was the same water mat the kidnappers drank, but Johnston's unaccustomed body sent warning signals: ...
Hello: Iraq is not our country
Nov 17, 2007; ... A few reminders: Iraq is not our country. Our invasion and occupation are dlegal, being in violation of both international law and our own traditions. We were lied into war. We are still being lied to. Both the Bush administration and the Democrats intend to maintain American troops in Iraq ...
LAHC observes 25th anniversary
Nov 17, 2007; ... A local soccer club put together in 1982 is now a 25-year-old cultural organization dial's given about $15 nullion to Arab American students in scholarship money. The Lebanese American Heritage Club will celebrate its 25th anniversary Nov. 21 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts ...
Top GOP contender alienates Arab Americans
Nov 17, 2007; ... The leading Republican candidate for President, Rudy Giuliani, is not trying to win any friends in the Arab American community. He is ramping up "war on terror" rhetoric aggressively, opposing Palestinian independence and allying with some of the most stringent neocons, some of whom were ...
Foreign language study increases across country
Nov 17, 2007; ... Study of Arabic language has grown 127% The Modem Language Association of America (MLA), the world's leading organization dedicated to language and literature study, released a comprehensive new survey showing significant increases in foreign language study at U.S. colleges and ...
Jahanagir defends religious freedom
Nov 17, 2007; ... Speaking recently at the University of Ottawa, Asma Jahanagir, UN. Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, expressed cynicism about how religions treat women. She remarked sardonically that efforts at mutual understanding among religions might be possible because they can find common ...
Fight over gas prices ends in death
Nov 17, 2007; ... DETROIT - The owner of a Soutiiwest Detroit gas station was shot and killed by the owner of a competing gas station at about 10:30 a.m. Friday morning, according to Detroit Police. An argument over gas prices was said to have escalated into a physical confrontation involving a baseball ...
Two area mosques burglarized
Nov 17, 2007; ... DEARBORN - Money from donation boxes was stolen from two mosques broken into this week in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, according to officials from the Islamic House of Wisdom (IHW) and the Islamic Center of America (ICA). An ICA employee said Dearborn police have been given ...
Cultural festivities mark club's 25th anniversary
Nov 24, 2007; ... Two days before Lebanese President Emile Lahoud declared a state of emergency and ordered the army to take over security powers in the country, a 25 year-old Lebanese American organization celebrated its anniversary with pride and optimism. Despite the rising tensions in their homeland, ...
Fear of civil war stalks Lebanon
Nov 24, 2007; ... Country unable to elect a president, vote delayed for another week BEIRUT - Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Friday handed over the task of securing law and order in Lebanon to the country's army commander until a political consensus is reached and a new president is elected, after ...
Iraq spending bill stalls in Senate
Nov 24, 2007; ... Former Iraqi commander says bring the troops home The Senate remains deeply divided over whether to give President Bush all the money he wants - without limitations - for continuing the war in Iraq, as two opposing war funding measures failed to pass Friday morning. Republicans ...
Averting violence is everyone's job
Nov 24, 2007; ... A crime wave has hit the Arab American community with sudden force, leaving us to wonder where it came from and how we can stop it. The recent shootings that resulted in the tragic deaths of local two Arab Americans have emplaced a dark cloud over the heads of everyone in the ...
More couples' therapy in Annapolis
Nov 24, 2007; ... Here we go again with another meaningless "couples' therapy" session with no concrete goals or meaningful substance. Palestine is the spouse who wants to discuss tangible issues. Israel appears to be the spouse who doesn't really want to be there but wants to say, "Hey, I showed up. Isn't that ...
Hands off Iran or forget my tax money
Nov 24, 2007; ... I will not pay my income tax if we go to war with Iran. I realize this is a desperate and perhaps futile gesture. But an attack on Iran - which appears increasingly likely before the coming presidential election - will unleash a regional conflict of catastrophic proportions. This war, and ...
The untold story of HAMAS
Nov 24, 2007; ... The untold story of HAMAS "Inside Hamas: The Untold Story Of The Militant Islamic Movement," by Zaki Cheab. Hardcover: 240 pages; Nation Books (2007); ISBN-10:1845113896; ISBN-13: 978-1845113896 When the Holy Land Foundation was acquitted of funneling money to terrorist organizations, it ...
Film, play showcase Arab issues
Nov 24, 2007; ... DETROIT - Local audiences will have a rare opportunity to view "Detroit Unleaded," a new and notable short film by Lebanese-born filmmaker Rola Nashef. The fictional film is set in an inner city gas station and provides a unique perspective into the lives of young Arab Americans who operate the ...
Proud history of Islamic medicine
Nov 24, 2007; ... Many people are unaware of the tremendous contribution to medical knowledge made in Islamic culture between the 9th and 13th centuries. It was Professor Ingrid Hehmeyer's task to open up this chapter of medical history at the recent gala dinner held by the Canadian Islamic Congress in Ottawa ....
Imams filing airline suit claim victory
Nov 24, 2007; ... WASHINGTON - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed a ruling this week by a federal judge in Minnesota that rejected almost all of the arguments made by U.S. Airways and the Metropolitan Airports Commission in the case of six imams, or Islamic religious leaders, removed from a ...
New businesswomen's group launched
Nov 24, 2007; ... DEARBORN - The Arab American Women's Business Council (AAWBC), newly founded in the Detroit area as a 501c6 nonprofit professional organization, will hold its kickoff breakfast on Tuesday, December 4, 2007, at By bios Banquet Center, 7258 Chase Rd. in Dearborn. Denise Roberts, president ...
Okdie appointed as EMU regent
Nov 24, 2007; ... DETROIT - Mohamed Okdie, a retired social worker for Detroit Public Schools, has been appointed to the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents. Okdie, 58, succeeds Ismael Ahmed, who resigned last summer to lead the state's Department of Human Services. Gov. Jennifer Granholm ...
Public invited to Dearborn events
Nov 24, 2007; ... Christmas benefit party on Dec. 13 will raise funds for Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive DEARBORN - The Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive, a local charity organization created by members of the Dearborn Fire Department, is holding a Christmas beriefit party on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 6 ...
Peace with justice banquet scheduled
Nov 24, 2007; ... DETROIT - The Central United Methodist Church of Detroit will hold its annual Justice and Peace Banquet here on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. The church is looking for sponsors to assist it in meeting the needs of many - seniors living on fixed incomes, the ...
Local doctor provides holistic healthcare
Nov 24, 2007; ... DEARBORN - Michigan is behind the rest of the country when it comes to alternative medicine, according to local acupuncturist Mostafa Belkhalfia. The state implemented laws regulating acupuncture just last year, becoming the 41st state to do so. Belkhalfia came to Dearborn from ...
Community pays tribute to slain station owner
Nov 24, 2007; ... DEARBORN - The body of Jawad Bazzi, a victim of a gas station shooting in Detroit November 16, was held for viewing at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge Sunday and Monday, November 18 and 19, as the local community paid tribute to the well-known and well-liked husband and father of ...
Suspect in rapes arrested
Nov 24, 2007; ... DEARBORN - A Dearbom Heights man was arrested Monday and arraigned Wednesday in 19th District Court on multiple charges related to the home invasion/rape of a West Dearbom mother on Sept. 5. Kenneth Gunther, 26, is also suspected of a second rape of a mother in Dearborn Heights that ...