Niraj Warikoo on Muck Rack

Niraj Warikoo

Verified
Detroit
As seen in: Detroit Free Press, MSN, MSN New Zealand, Raiders Wire - USA Today, The Bucs Wire, USA Today, Yahoo Canada, Yahoo News, Yahoo News UK, Aol, The Toronto Star and
Covers:  religion, immigration, occupy, civil rights, michigan, arab-americans, minority groups, counterterrorism, metro detroit
Staff Writer for the Detroit Free Press, a daily newspaper. Reports on religion and immigration. Tips, ideas: DM or email me: nwarikoo@freepress.com

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Niraj Warikoo’s Biography

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Religion Reporter at the Detroit Free Press since 2007.
B.A., Columbia College, Columbia University
M.S., Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University

Niraj Warikoo’s Journalist Portfolio

From Michigan to a violent death in Syria

From Michigan to a violent death in Syria

Profile of a Michigan woman who was the first American to die in Syria's war. Story won First Place SPJ-Detro…

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Undocumented residents anxious as immigration reform debated

Undocumented residents anxious as immigration reform debated

Part 2 of 2. Undocumented residents anxious as immigration reform debated For years, thousands of young undoc…

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With 150,000 undocumented residents, Michigan has stake in U.S. debate

With 150,000 undocumented residents, Michigan has stake in U.S. debate

Part 1 of 2: With 150,000 undocumented residents, Michigan has stake in U.S. debate From picking blueberries …

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Mitt Romney's run for president spurs interest in Mormon faith

Mitt Romney's run for president spurs interest in Mormon faith

As Mitt Romney runs for the presidency, there is growing interest in the Mormon faith, with many curious abou…

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Black churches combine mime and Christian message

Black churches combine mime and Christian message

Onstage in a church on Detroit's east side, Myra Morrison thrust her right fist down in front of her body and…

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Scared for their families and homeland, metro Detroiters aid in Syria's war

Scared for their families and homeland, metro Detroiters aid in Syria's war

Over the last year, Dr. Ammar Sukari of West Bloomfield pleaded with his father to leave his home in the city…

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Articles

Thousands celebrate Eid al-Adha in Dearborn and rally for Lebanon

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By Niraj Warikoo 
| Detroit Free Press
RELIGION Niraj Warikoo Detroit Free Press May 28, 2026, 6:04 a.m. ET Thousands of Muslims gathered on the lawn outside Dearborn's civic center for what organizers described as the largest Eid al-Adha prayer in Michigan, later followed by a march for Lebanon in Dearborn to bring attention to victims of Israeli attacks. The two events were organized by different groups, but linked together with the spirit of the Islamic holiday and its ideas about justice and religious obligations.
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Rally for Lebanon in Dearborn on Muslim holiday calls for peace Original

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By Niraj Warikoo 
| Detroit Free Press
RELIGION Niraj Warikoo May 28, 2026, 6:03 a.m. ET A rally and march for Lebanon at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn on May 27, 2026, which was Eid al-Adha for Muslims. The protesters criticized Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which has affected many in metro Detroit. Niraj Warikoo A march for Lebanon on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn on May 27, 2026, which was Eid al-Adha for Muslims. The protesters criticized Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which has affected many in metro Detroit.
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Detroit Catholic archdiocese restructures as Mass attendance drops 40%

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By Niraj Warikoo 
| Detroit Free Press
Updated May 21, 2026, 6:21 a.m. ET Facing $94 million in unfunded building costs and a 40% drop in Mass attendance, the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit has embarked on a restructuring plan that some fear could lead to the merger or closure of parishes, especially those in Detroit and its inner-ring suburbs.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

A reporter for the daily newspaper at my college, the Columbia Daily Spectator.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes.

What's your favorite social network?

Twitter

Awards

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Society of Professional Journalists Award

2015 - Localization of National Story

First-Place Excellent in Journalism Award from SPJ-Detroit for stories about how the rise of ISIS affected metro Detroiters.

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Society of Professional Journalists Award

2014 - Best Profile

First Place SPJ-Detroit for a profile of the first American to die in Syria's civil war. Judges’ comments: "What an interesting topic. And such a challenging reporting job, given the circumstances of Mansfield's death. I'm sure many reporters in Detroit wish they'd written this piece. Nice detail throughout. Great sources, some of whom surely weren't eager to talk. Some of the father's quotes stuck with me long after I'd finished reading."

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Society of Professional Journalists Award

2011 - Open Government Reporting

First Place SPJ-Detroit award for investigative work on the FBI shooting death of an African-American Muslim leader. Judges said of my work: "The extensive reporting revealed information publicly undisclosed, illuminating a fascinating and complicated case."

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Society of Professional Journalists Award

2014 - Best Localization of a National Story

First Place SPJ-Detroit award for story that explored the lives of undocumented immigrants in Michigan. Judges’ comments: "Excellent story. You artfully tie in the policy-oriented news peg with a story that shows the consequences of those policies. Additionally, the personal stories are not the only way you localize this story, but you use many documentary sources and statistics to show the macroeconomic impact on Michigan. Great job."

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Society of Professional Journalists Award

2015 - Personality Profile

Third-place Excellent in Journalism Award from SPJ-Detroit for a profile of an evangelical Christian pastor in Michigan with changing views on LGBT issues.

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