Governor Rick Snyder visits the Arab American National Museum

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(DEARBORN, MI) — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder visited Dearborn on Monday to tour the Arab-American National Museum and meet with Middle Eastern community leaders and businesspeople.

ACCESS, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, co-hosted the governor for a town-hall style event following the tour. Snyder called10403775_10153003023904569_8127142933425621827_o ACCESS a “national treasure,” touting its continued efforts to help Arab-Americans in the workforce and in other human services. Executive Director Hassan Jaber delivered remarks thanking the governor for visiting and recognizing Arab-Americans.

Snyder, who used to live in Dearborn, said he was proud of his efforts to “diversify” the state over the last four years.

“Immigration is truly something that has made us unique,” he said. “We come from many different places, but we’re more powerful when we come together, and we learn from one another.”

Photos courtesy of the Arab American National Museum Facebook page.

Christian Lebanese Foundation in the World hosts nationwide campaign to register Lebanese citizens

(WARREN, MI) — The Christian Lebanese Foundation in the World (CLFW) hosted a nationwide campaign this Sunday to register Lebanese-Americans as citizens. CLFW representatives in Houston, TX, Jacksonville, FL, and Warren, MI distributed promotional material and offered registration assistance to Lebanese-American parishioners nationwide, in an effort to increase Christian citizenship in the country.

CLFW is a non-profit organization that aims to re-connect Lebanese-Americans with their roots, by hosting citizenship drives and promoting civic engagement. This latest effort promises to register individuals and families free-of-charge.

The organization teamed up with the Lebanese Embassy and Consulates, the National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM), and several Lebanese-American organizations and clubs to promote the weekend citizenship drive. According to their Facebook page, those who register are entered into a chance to win free airline tickets to Lebanon.

Nano Rached, the regional coordinator for CLFW says it is particularly important to register because the Christian population in Lebanon “is going down.”

Watch the full video below for more information:

For those living in Metro Detroit, CLFW is hosting another registration opportunity at the Basilica of St. Mary in Livonia on June 22nd starting at 10am.

Arab American museum to host visit by Governor Rick Snyder

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(DEARBORN, MI) – The Arab American National Museum plans to host Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder for a tour, meetings with community leaders and town hall-style event.

The museum in Dearborn says the visit is planned for Monday, including remarks by Snyder around midday.

Dearborn has large Arab and Muslim populations. The museum says Manal Saab, who is on the museum’s National Advisory Board, invited the governor to visit.

6 Reasons to Attend the Michigan Fun Fest

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1. Affordable Food

“They have chicken shawarma, meat shawarma, falafel, gyros. It’s delicious,” said Ayda Mughannem, one of the festival volunteers. “We wanted to introduce outsiders to our community. We have great food, great people, and nice entertainment.”

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2. Wade Show Amusement Rides

Dozens of Wade Show amusement rides and carnival food stands continue through the weekend. Wade Shows was founded in 1912 and has since become a nationwide carnival company.

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3. Free Admission

Admission to the festival is free. Parking is $3.

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4. 11 Live Entertainers

“We are bringing the American culture and Middle Eastern culture together,” said festival chairman Freddy Sackllah.

Entertainers include:

  • The Bahu Band
  • Usama Baalbaki
  • Abu Sumayah
  • Nasser Deeb
  • Livonia’s Earth Angels
  • The Infatuations
  • Habib Zaatar
  • Bristol Street

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5. Casino

Casino and card games are available for adults over 18.

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6. Fun for All Ages

20,000 people will attend the Michigan Fun Fest this weekend at 18100 Merriman Rd. Livonia, MI 48152. For more information, click here.

The proceeds from the Michigan Fun Fest will be used to help build the Mariam Center, a two-story, 30,000 square foot family and youth enrichment center in Livonia. The land has been purchased, and the center will be built in five years, according to the festival chairman. Other donors have already pledged financial donations for the project.

St. Mary Michigan Fun Fest appears on Fox 2 News

(SOUTHFIELD, MI) — Freddy Sackllah and Michel Khoury appeared on Fox 2 News in Detroit this morning to talk about the 2014 Michigan Fun Fest hosted by The Basilica of St. Mary in Livonia.

Click here to watch the full video. For more information about the Michigan Fun Fest, visit http://michiganfunfest.com/.

Lebanese Cultural Reception Co-Hosted at House of Lebanon

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House of Lebanon opened its doors on May 7th, at 6:00pm and welcomed International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA) for a spirited evening celebrating the arrival of twelve honored guests representing four major Universities in Lebanon.

The universities represented include Beirut Arab University, Notre Dame University of Beirut, Haigazian University, and Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. The representatives, who hold high managerial positions at the mentioned institutions, are participating in the USAID Expand Your Horizons project on Higher Education.

“We are happy to be able to support IVCLA and its guests from Lebanon and contribute to the cultural reception”, said Judge James Kaddo, Chairman of Board of Directors.  “House of Lebanon supports IVCLA’s mission, which is to create international understanding through professional meetings and cultural activities.”

A number of House of Lebanon Board Members attended the event to welcome the special guests and to support their program.

Article written and provided by House of Lebanon. For more information, click here.

Lebanese Forces Detroit discuss presidential void

(WARREN, MI) — The Lebanese Forces Detroit Chapter met for their monthly general meeting on Saturday. Following the meeting, the organization hosted a member barbecue and gathering.

President Tony Malouf announced the conclusion of his term this upcoming October. He encouraged current members to consider running for what he called a “very rewarding” position.

The group also began the planning stages for the Lebanese Forces Detroit Annual Banquet and Scholarship Dinner, which will take place on September 20.

The Lebanese Forces members also discussed the ongoing political turmoil in Lebanon, after the country plunged into a presidential void on May 25. Former President Michel Sleiman’s term ended without a successor, leaving no candidate able to garner enough votes to win the election.

“It’s a sad time for people in and outside of Lebanon. The number one post belongs to the Christians and unfortunately, some of the Christians along with the March 8 movement are boycotting the election,” Malouf said. “They wont nominate anyone from their side to go against the nominee from March 14 and they won’t attend and vote for anyone.”

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea challenged his Christian rival MP Michel Aoun to run against him in the next presidential election on Wednesday. Members of the Lebanese Forces in Detroit say they have moved beyond party lines, now they just want a new president.

“Lebanese Forces wants for all Lebanese to come and do their duties, nominate and elect a president. We don’t want a vacancy in the Christian post.”

 

LebaneseExaminer.com does not affiliate, endorse, or support any political organization, group, sect, or institution. We simply report on community events, which may include political coverage.

St. Laba Hasroun Society host Annual Maintenance Day

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(WARREN, MI) — The Saint Laba Charity Society of Hasroun pulled out their working gloves and tools on Saturday, to pull out weeds, paint, and install new solar lights at the St. Laba praying area in Warren.

“The St. Laba praying area at St. Sharbel is in need of some clean-up/maintenance,” Maurice Farah, president of the society, wrote on Facebook. “We would be delighted to have you all come out and join us for this great bonding opportunity.”

Several volunteers spent the morning and early afternoon on the cleanup project. According to Farah, floodlights and solar lights were newly added to the religious outreach project.

Hasroun is a village located in the Bsharri District in the North Governorate of Lebanon. It is situated in the Valley of Qadisha, overlooking the southern branch of this valley, the Qannoubine Valley.

The local Detroit organization works to promote the “spirit of understanding and love” of the people of Hasroun. For more information, click here.

Click here for more photos.

Food in the spotlight at annual Lebanese Festival in Roanoke, VA on May 30

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Roanoke’s annual Lebanese Festival kicks off Friday, May 30 at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church and lasts all weekend.

Now in its 16th year, food and festivities begin at 11 a.m. each day and continue until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday – with food served until 9 p.m. – and 8 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking are free, and the event will continue rain or shine with plenty of indoor seating in the church’s banquet hall.

Come out to enjoy authentic Lebanese food and drinks, live Arabic music and traditional dances led by the youth group. For children, there will be a moon bounce, inflated obstacle course, face painting, hot dogs and cotton candy.

Festival-goers can learn about the country of Lebanon via artifacts, musical instruments, clothing and paintings that will be on display. The church will also offer tours so that visitors can experience some of the beauty and history of Maronite Catholicism. There will be a silent auction, featuring Oriental rugs and goods from local vendors, as well as cultural items on sale.

The star of the Lebanese Festival, though, is truly the food. Located on the Mediterranean, Lebanon’s cuisine shares an affinity for olive oil, garlic and lemon juice popular in Greek and Italian cooking. There will be plenty of grilled kabobs, kafta – a spiced ground beef specialty – and meat pies. The vegetarian options include tabbouleh – a parsley-based salad with tomatoes and bulghur wheat, refreshing yogurt and cucumber – Lebanese potato salad, a new fava bean salad and everyone’s favorite: hummus. This year’s Friday Feature Dish (limited supply) is an eggplant, meat and tomato casserole. There are many desserts to choose from, such as baklava, pastries and Lebanese versions of cheesecake and funnel cake.

The full menu is available on the festival website (www.lebanesefestival.steliaschurch.org). The church will accept to-go orders online. Some items are also available frozen in bulk.

If you have any questions, contact the church office at secretary@steliaschurch.org or (540) 562-0012.

Submitted by Jennie Salamoun

Lebanese Collegiate Network to host Detroit Mixer with LACOM and LAHC

Summer 2014 Detroit Mixer

(DETROIT, MI) — The Lebanese Collegiate Network (LCN) will host a “Professional Summer 2014 Michigan Mixer” on June 5th at SkyBar Detroit. LCN says it partnered with the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC) and the Lebanese American Club of Michigan (LACOM) to host this networking event.

The Lebanese Collegiate Network is a nationwide 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that aims to help Lebanese collegiate clubs, students, and alumni connect, network, and grow as Lebanese-Americans.

“Through these mixers, the LCN strives to empower Lebanese in the academic, professional, and social realms,” LCN wrote on Facebook.

The Detroit networking event promises to connect “Lebanese professionals, leaders, board members, corporate associates, and active friends” in the Metro area.

For more information, visit the LCN Facebook page.

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