Author Archives: Arab America

<center><iframe width=”470″ height=”264″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/ueT79ZPY9IM” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe></center> This powerful social experiment set out to show us a glimpse of the disturbing discrimination many Muslims sadly face every day in America. I began watching this video thinking I would be left feeling disheartened and angry, but the words the soldier says at 5:05 are so powerful that … Continued

Sawsan Jabri and Osama Siblani represent the advancement of the Arab community in the Detroit area: Jabri is a doctor from Syria who teaches microbiology at several community colleges, and Siblani came from Lebanon to be an engineer and now publishes the influential Arab-American News. The two share Middle Eastern roots and the American dream. … Continued

This fall, Arab American comedian and musician Amer Zahr is producing and starring in two series at the Arab American National Museum (AANM), 13624 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. Zahr is presenting the two series – Tarab Together and 1001 Laughs at the Museum – in collaboration with the AANM, with dates on each series alternating … Continued

Over the past few days, we have been approached by various media outlets asking for Syrian American perspectives on potential US military intervention in Syria. AAI asked Syrian Americans across the country to share their views by answering this question: “Should the United States respond militarily to the crisis in Syria? Why or why not?” … Continued

  I am opposed to the United States conducting any kind of attack on Syria, so in the interest of full disclosure, I am obliged to say that my wife is from Syria, and her family, who are Alawites, and most of whom are farmers, still live there. Her sister is a medical doctor, and … Continued

Riad Shatila opened his first bakery in a small storefront on Schaefer near Warren some 35 years ago. The founder of the Shatila Bakery would see his business grow to the point where he shipped his famous sweets all over the world. But longtime friends say that success didn’t change him. Mr. Shatila died Sept. … Continued

Riad Shatila, the founder and owner of one of the most noted Arab sweet shops in the U.S., died Friday after battling cancer for years. The Dearborn man was 68. Mr. Shatila’s store on Warren Avenue in Dearborn, Shatila Bakery & Cafe, is popular with Arab Americans across the region; the store also has a … Continued

<center><iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/Ac44SL0VH-o” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe></center> Alpha Lambda Mu is not your typical fraternity. Also known as Alif Laam Meem, it has the distinction of being the nation’s only Muslim fraternity since its founding in February. If “Muslim fraternity” sounds like an oxymoron, a look at a typical meeting reveals how ALM retains classic elements … Continued

ACRL along with National Action Network (NAN), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Council on American-Islamic Relation (CAIR), and Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality held a press conference yesterday, September 5th, 2013 at the ACLU office in Detroit to announce their investigation regarding the two think tanks hired by the Detroit Police Department to train their … Continued

<center><iframe width=”460″ height=”259″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/fVHFNQlkggo” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe></center>   THE CITIZEN is Sam Kadi’s feature film debut and was inspired by actual events. Like the main character (Ibrahim) Sam is also an Arab who became a legal U.S. immigrant with the desire to live the American Dream. This American film was made by a team of international artists … Continued

A Michigan-based philanthropic organization that helps nonprofit groups serving Arab-Americans nationwide has announced a round of grants. The Center for Arab American Philanthropy of Dearborn says it is distributing 12 grants worth a total of $50,000 to recipients in California, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania. Recipients include the San Francisco-based Arab Film … Continued

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is excited to present our third annual cultural event entitled “Turaath: Celebrating Arab Culture in America,” at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 6:00 pm. This year’s event is organized by ADC’s Women’s Initiative and will feature the 2013 Arab Idol winners; acclaimed Palestinian vocalist … Continued