Dearborn, Michigan Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud has announced an immediate increase in police presence at “all places of worship and major infrastructure points” in response to a Wall Street Journal opinion piece that labeled the city as “America’s Jihad capital.”
The controversial article, written by Steven Stalinsky, director of the Middle East Media Research Institute, claimed Dearborn supports Palestinian and Islamist militant groups, triggering heightened tensions and a surge in online bigotry.
Hammoud, addressing concerns on social media, stated that the article had led to an alarming rise in Islamophobic rhetoric targeting Dearborn.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations Michigan chapter applauded the mayor’s proactive measures to safeguard the Muslim community, while Stalinsky defended his piece, challenging the mayor to point out inaccuracies.
Wayne County Commissioner David Knezek expressed deep concern over the divisive language used in the op-ed, emphasizing Dearborn’s positive attributes.
President Joe Biden also weighed in, calling on Americans to condemn hate in all forms, cautioning against blaming entire groups based on the actions of a few.
Dearborn, with one of the largest Arab American communities in the U.S., has a history of diversity and inclusion. Hammoud, the city’s first Arab American mayor, sees his election as a testament to the community’s acceptance and willingness to embrace leadership regardless of religious background.