Arab American Community

Metropolitan Detroit's Arab-American community is the largest in the nation, with around 500,000 in the region. The City of Dearborn is the center of the Arab-American community, home to the largest mosque in North America, the Islamic Center of America, as well as the Arab American National Museum. Seeking work in automotive factories, large numbers of Arabs immigrated to the metro Detroit area in the early 1900s. A second wave of immigration followed the Lebanese civil war in the 1970s. Today, Arab-Americans in Michigan are heavily involved in the state's economy as entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders.
The Arab American News is the largest publication serving the Arab community.

Arab American Community Features

Upper floor housing rehabs spur neighborhood growth

Natalie Burg / Model D Friday, December 21, 2012

When shopping in your favorite downtown store, ever wonder what's upstairs? For decades, the answer has been "not much" for many Michigan cities. Take a look at how that trend is changing across the state, in communities like Manistee, Portland and Detroit's Eastern Market, where local property owners are redefining downtowns by reviving upper floor residences.

Hatched: La Feria using $50k prize to open tapas kitchen on Cass

Noelle Lothamer / Model D Friday, October 26, 2012

Food writer Noelle Lothamer gets a sneak peek at classic Spamish ala carte dishes like empanadas, tortilla de patatas, montaditos, salmorejo, and croquetas. Marvin Shaouni snaps some tasty pictures.

Our Economic Diversity: Where Middle East Meets Midwest

Natalie Burg / Metromode Friday, October 12, 2012

More than just hookah bars and falafel joints, Metro Detroit's Arab-American economy has become a vital and increasingly intertwined part of our community. From halal pizzerias to hijab boutiques, a new generation of business owners is helping to blur our cultural and geographic lines.

Immigration: An Old Solution for the New Economy

Dennis Archambault / Metromode Friday, July 13, 2012

Yousif Ghafari is the living embodiment of the American immigrant success story. He was born in Lebanon, earned multiple college degrees in the U.S., and spent decades building a business from scratch. The result has been wealth, community status, political connections, and a reputation for philanthropy. Needless to say, Ghafari has some strong opinions about the role of immigrants in our region's success. Dennis Archambault gets the story.

Freight forwarder company 'Seastar' implements unique business model

Samer Hijazi Monday, March 19, 2012

Fida Mourtada and his wife Zainab have been married almost as long as they have been in the transportation business together. Today, Mourtada and his wife run Seastar, a freight forwarding company that specializes in ocean, inland & air transportation. While the couple has been able to successfully manage their own business, the road to this point in their success was a long one.

Dr. Chad Audi: The Detroit Homeless Community�s Ambassador

Natasha Dado Monday, March 19, 2012

Dr. Chad Audi never thought his professional career would be spent providing needy families and individuals with hope, and an opportunity to get back on their feet, but once he saw how the Detroit Rescue Mission Missionaries changed the fate of one poverty stricken woman, there was nothing else he could imagine doing.

Detroit�s upscale cigar lounge offers patrons just what they need

Nick Meyer Monday, March 12, 2012

From restaurants to casinos, downtown Detroit offers plenty of entertainment options. But for a long time, the city had lacked an upscale cigar bar where some of its 160,000 or so workers could relax at the end of the day. The new La Casa De La Habana lounge changed all that roughly two and a half years ago when it opened its doors for the first time in historic Harmonie Park.

Go-to attorney for civil rights grievances

Nick Meyer Sunday, March 11, 2012

As a prominent civil rights attorney, Michigan Civil Rights Commissioner, and the founder of the new Arab American Civil Rights League in Dearborn, Michigan, attorney Nabih Ayad is one of the leaders of the movement for equal rights and protections for Arab Americans and people of all backgrounds.

Boutique provides trendy, modest Islamic wear

Natasha Dado Sunday, March 11, 2012

While metro Detroit is home to several Muslim clothing stores that cater to the region's high concentration of American Muslims, it's hard to imagine there could be one trendier than Hija.Bee of Dearborn Heights.

Dr. Mohamad: A Big Heart for Cardiology

Samer Hijazi Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Dr. Tamam Mohamad is a fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist from Wayne State University. He received his medical degree from Damascus University School of Medicine in 2003 before coming to the U.S to do his internship and residency. He currently practices at the Detroit Medical Center, where he is the Director of the Cardiac Care Unit and certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine for six different specialties.

Byblos: Dearborn�s �generous� banquet hall

Samer Hijazi Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Youssef (Joe) Bazzi has been known around the Dearborn community as “Mr. Generous,” after opening up his Byblos Banquet Hall in 2005. Since then, Byblos has quickly become a prime location for events such as weddings, dinners and parties with its fancy interior décor and its wide menu of food options.

Coffee, customer service a way of life for Qazzaz family

Nick Meyer Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning is a normal part of the day for millions of people, but for one Dearborn, Michigan father-son duo, coffee has been a way of life. It's been that way for over 46 years for Abu Dawood Qazzaz, who founded the Qazzaz Coffee Company in Kuwait before moving to Dearborn, Michigan in 1994.

Arab American engineer receives patent for invention that prevents auto accident injuries

Natasha Dado Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Dearborn Heights resident Mohamed S. Hamieh has received a patent for his invention of a seat that is expected to protect those involved in auto accidents from whiplash injuries. Hamieh, an engineer at Ford Motor Company, says about one million auto accidents occur annually that are related to whiplash.

Entrepreneurs use business to provide free footwear and accessories to needy people locally and over

Natasha Dado Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Both men are the owners of Mid America Shoes and Accessories, a worldwide footwear distributor founded in 2001. Their philanthropy extends beyond Africa, into Detroit, other states and various continents where free shoes are shipped out to assist those living under poor conditions.

GEE co-founder is passionate about getting students to pursue college degrees

Natasha Dado Monday, December 12, 2011

The charter school system, Global Educational Excellence (GEE), has helped pave the road to success for several working professionals who hold advanced college degrees in southeast Michigan. “I want to see every child graduate from GEE and earn a minimum of a four year degree,” said GEE co-founder Mohamad Issa.