A confrontation in Dearborn, Michigan, has ignited national controversy after Democrat Mayor Abdullah Hammoud told a Christian resident he was ‘not welcome’ in the city for objecting to renaming a street after Arab American journalist Osama Siblani, who has publicly defended designated terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
The exchange occurred during a recent city council meeting when Edward Barham criticized the sign on Warren Avenue, saying it effectively honoured terrorist groups. ‘I feel like having that sign up there is almost like naming a street Hezbollah Street or Hamas Street,’ Barham said. He recalled Hezbollah’s 1983 bombing of US Marine barracks in Beirut, which killed 241 Americans, adding: ‘He talks about how the blood of the martyrs irrigates the land of Palestine. As a Christian, I want to encourage peace. Blessed are the peacemakers.’
Mayor Hammoud interrupted, accusing Barham of spreading anti-Muslim bigotry in past online posts. ‘Although you live here, I want you to know that as mayor, you are not welcome here,’ Hammoud declared. ‘The day you move out of this city will be the day that I launch a parade celebrating the fact that you moved out.’ He called Barham a ‘bigot, racist, and Islamophobe’, suggesting he should close his eyes if offended by the sign.
