At a recent city council meeting in Dearborn, Michigan, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud did not retract his statement to a local Christian minister, a remark that has garnered considerable attention. The mayor had previously informed Minister Ted Barham that he was “not welcome here” and announced that he would “launch a parade” upon the minister’s departure.
Mr. Barham, in response to the mayor’s comment, reiterated his earlier sentiments at the council’s Tuesday meeting, saying, “The mayor, in a way, cursed me, as was seen around the world. And I would like to repeat what I said that day to you, Mr. Mayor: ‘God bless you,’” Mr. Barham has stated he will not be pursuing legal action, despite calls from supporters to do so.
Barham used the platform to share a broader message, urging the council and public to “bless those who curse you… love your haters”. He extended this notion even to international entities, including Hezbollah, Mr. Siblani, and even Israel. Barham also requested that Mayor Hammoud consider issuing a Christian call to prayer in all countries where an Islamic call to prayer is heard.
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Other speakers at the meeting posed direct questions to the council. Anthony Deegan asked the council to clearly state their stance on Hamas and Hezbollah, while Shane Rife expressed shock at Mayor Hammoud’s appearance at a rally praising Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The significance becomes clear when we consider the potential impact on the city’s political landscape. Pastor Jeff Davis and Yemeni-American engineer and mayoral candidate Nagi Almudhegi both voiced their support for Barham. Almudhegi warned that Hammoud’s remarks could perpetuate a false narrative that Christians are unwelcome in Dearborn.
During an interview with Fox, Almudhegi stated, “The United States of America is built on the principles of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. These two principles are sacrosanct,” Almudhegi said. “If I were in Mayor Abdullah Hamoud’s spot at that time, I would not have said anything The gentleman has a right, as an American citizen, to speak his mind.”
This development follows earlier reports that Hammoud, speaking later at the same meeting, did not respond to calls for an apology, nor clarify his stance on Hamas and Hezbollah. Instead, he described Dearborn as a place where “people of all backgrounds, of all faiths, and of all beliefs can live peacefully and respectfully as neighbors.”
The controversy continues to cast a shadow over Dearborn’s upcoming mayoral election, in which Hammoud and Almudhegi are the sole contenders. The face-off over religious freedom and free speech, sparked by Barham’s remarks and the mayor’s response, could become a pivotal point for voters. The facts, as we now know them, paint a complex picture of a community grappling with the balance between free speech and respect for diversity.
Our request for comment from Mayor Hammoud’s office has not yet been returned. As this situation unfolds, questions remain about the future political climate in Dearborn, the impact on religious diversity, and the boundaries of free speech. We will be sure to keep you updated with any new information.