In Our Opinion
In Our Opinion
Clerks Garrett and Darany: Get the translation done
April 16th, 20220 On March 22, the Dearborn City Council unanimously passed a resolution requiring ballot translation to any language spoken by more than 10,000 residents (or 5 percent of the population, whichever criteria is met first). The resolution also calls for implementation to start as early as the August primary election. This was a historical...
A long journey to a “historic” election
November 5th, 20210 This week, headlines regarding Tuesday’s election across local, national and international media included some version of the word "historic." Not surprising when one takes into consideration that three Arab American candidates in some of the state’s densest cities enjoyed landslide victories for mayoral races: Amer Ghalib in...
Let us make history on November 2
October 30th, 20211 Elections are always important. That is why, in every election since its inception, The Arab American News has encouraged the Arab American community to be involved in the decision-making process and to show up to vote and run for public offices. This local election is no different in terms of importance, but it is also unique in the...
Why we chose not to endorse either candidate for Hamtramck mayor
October 30th, 20210 Endorsing candidates for important offices is a major responsibility for local organizations and newspapers. For an ethnic newspaper, the voice of the community we advocate for has to be taken into consideration, as should the issues that affect it the most. But decisions on endorsements cannot simply come about with a superficial...
Dearborn, beware of rumors, haters and dividers in this election season
October 23rd, 20210 As much as we all hope and work for better outcomes, it seems as though Dearborn cannot have an election season without anonymous and false attacks and rumors. For the last few days, some individuals have been circulating on social media and through chats what they claim is a statement (in Arabic and English) issued by “Arab...
Lebanon: The accusations against Major General Abbas Ibrahim are malicious and politically motivated
July 25th, 20210 By Osama Siblani / Publisher One of the most unfortunate aspects of Lebanon’s continuing crisis is the way criminal investigations into major violent acts are handled. This has been the case since Lebanon was founded last century. Most of these investigations either did not occur at all, were done unprofessionally or were derailed by...
In Our Opinion: Palestine needs us. Let’s not disappoint her
May 15th, 20210 On Sunday, March 16 at 1 p.m., we will be gathering outdoors at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn for an important event, "the March for Jerusalem." This event will be sponsored by New Generation for Palestine, The Arab American News, Students for Justice at Wayne State University and many other...
“Right to travel”: Biden and Congress must keep their promises to Arab Americans
April 3rd, 20210 This week, a federal appeals court in Virginia enshrined the federal government's use of the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB). After a lower court ruling held that the TSDB's application deprived Americans, especially those of Arab and Muslim descent, the right to due process under the law, this appeals court declared that the right...
Reckless behaviors could lead to disastrous consequences
March 20th, 20210 In 2017, The Arab American News published a story titled “Local Yemenis feel marginalized as Lebanese brethren gain momentum.” In it, writer Hassan Khalifeh interviewed multiple Yemeni Americans in Dearborn and Hamtramck about their experiences of marginalization, and in some cases outright discrimination, by other more entrenched...
“An evening of unity” with a fascist criminal is shameful
October 16th, 20201 This Sunday, Michigan's top elected officials will be addressing and attending the virtual event, "An evening of unity", sponsored by Yeshiva Beth Yehuda, the self-described "oldest and largest Jewish educational institution in Michigan." Governor Whitmer, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator Gary Peters, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan...
Ilhan Omar’s signature is more than disappointing, it’s shameful
May 8th, 20202 This week, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, urging him to increase "diplomatic action by the United States to renew the expiring United Nations arms embargo against Iran and United Nations travel restrictions on those Iranian individuals involved...
Dearborn’s mayor should’ve been transparent about having COVID-19
May 1st, 20201 On Wednesday, Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly announced on Facebook that he and his wife were dealing with the coronavirus and the city’s many residents were happy to hear that they had recovered from the terrible virus, safe and strong. “Although I am a public figure, I am someone, like many of you, who values personal and family...
With justice and equality as central issues, Bernie Sanders is the best choice for president
March 6th, 20200 As of Thursday, there are now three candidates vying for the position of 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and on March 10, Democratic voters in Michigan will decide which of these candidates they want to lead the nation in the White House. The Arab American News has been fortunate enough to be the community's voice for more than 35...
After Whitmer’s visit, Benson’s trip to Israel is another slap in the face
December 21st, 20190 This week, another prominent member of the Michigan government, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat and public figure who has shown support for the Arab American community, with the community reciprocating that support, took a publicized trip to Israel. After the outrage sparked by last month’s Israeli trip by Governor...
Haley Stevens should focus on serving her constituents in Michigan, not Israel
November 8th, 20191 This week, four members of the United States House of Representatives sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General expressing their "concern about the continuing, serious violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and the resulting threat our ally Israel faces on its northern border." Resolution 1701 led to......
It’s election time: Exercise your right and perform your duty
November 2nd, 20190 The following editorial is a collaboration between our newsroom and our editorial board: Voters from Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Inkster, Hamtramck and many of the surrounding communities in Southeast Michigan will go to the polls this Tuesday to exercise their constitutionally protected right and to perform their duty of voting on...
Let’s talk about the new “Bollywood” Aladdin
June 13th, 20190 A remake of Disney’s Aladdin movie has remedied a lot of its cultural mistakes from the 1992 animated musical film, but what’s with the Bollywood features that were supposed to be symbolic of a fictional Arab country called “Agraba?” From the characters' clothes, to the dance moves that are typical of Bollywood’s dancing...
A special thanks to our supporters and sponsors
March 29th, 20190 It was a great 35th anniversary celebration for The Arab American News last Friday. Thanks to everyone who took the time to attend the event. We had around 700 friends and guests. We appreciate all of our sponsors and supporters. Special thanks to Papaya Fruit Market and Midwest Recycling and their respective CEO’s, Khalil...
After 35 years of ups and downs, the story is about successes and challenges
March 15th, 20191 As we approach our 35th anniversary celebration on Friday, March 22, we can't help but reflect on the challenges we've faced, the successes we've achieved and the issues we've reported on and overcome together as a community. Running a media publication has always been difficult, challenging and complex, especially in ethnic......
It’s a new day on Capitol Hill
March 9th, 20190 On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution by a vote of 407-to-23 to condemn both anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred, among other forms of bigotry, including those of White Supremacists, a development Democratic U.S. Reps Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Andre Carson of...
Netanyahu has gone too far right for the right
March 1st, 20190 After all these years, we are now seeing politically what followers of the cruel occupation of Palestine have known for many years: Benjamin Netanyahu has gone way too far to the right, and his political career is finally now careening toward its dramatic end as a result. The Israeli prime minister has been indicted in three cases......
Omar was right about AIPAC, her apology is a mistake
February 15th, 20190 This weekend, just hours after U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) posted a tweet implying that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) pays off American politicians to defend Israel, she had already apologized, in response to a swift rebuke from House Democratic leaders. In two separate tweets, Omar called out AIPAC as a...
The shameful senate vote that endangers our free speech
February 8th, 20190 On Tuesday, the Senate passed S.1, the "Middle East bill" that included the “Combating BDS Act of 2019”, a measure that encourages state and local governments to enact legislation that bars state agencies from contracting with individuals or companies who support boycotts of Israel, more commonly known as the Boycott, Divestment and......
