Dearborn, Michigan – The city of Dearborn issued a strong rebuttal on Saturday to a federal lawsuit that accuses municipal leaders of favoring Muslim holidays while neglecting Christian and Jewish observances. In a written statement, the city emphasized its “longstanding commitment to serving all residents fairly and equitably, regardless of faith or background,” and rejected the claim that its “welcoming nature” has become a liability.
Details of the lawsuit
The complaint, filed by journalist Margot Cleveland of The Federalist, alleges that Dearborn spent $1,500 on Ramadan banners and $5,000 on a crescent‑moon display in Peace Park, as well as selling Ramadan‑themed police shirts, while failing to mark Easter or Passover in a comparable manner. Cleveland argues that the city has created a hostile environment for Christians and Jews, citing a September 2025 City Council clash in which Mayor Abdullah Hammoud allegedly told pastor Ted Barham he was not welcome in Dearborn.
City’s response
Dearborn’s spokesperson countered that the lawsuit “does not reflect the reality of how the city operates.” The statement highlighted that the city’s actions are guided by constitutional principles, including the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and that any public displays are intended to celebrate the cultural diversity of a city that is over 100,000 residents strong and majority Arab‑American.
“Our city has increasingly come under attack precisely because of its welcoming nature and the diversity of the people who proudly call Dearborn home,” the statement read. “That will not change who we are. Dearborn will continue to uphold the rights and dignity of every resident and remain a city where everyone is treated with fairness, respect, and equal protection under the law.”
Mayor Hammoud’s perspective
Mayor Hammoud, a Democrat, previously told The Guardian that his comments were taken out of context and that a single bad‑faith actor should not be blamed for an entire faith community. “People misconstrue my words and my frustration with an individual who is a bad‑faith actor in our community, and apply it to a whole faith, when everyone knows the city of Dearborn is a place where everyone is welcome — Christian or Jew or whatever your background,” he said.
Legal context
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and asks a federal judge to find that Dearborn violated the Constitution, ordering the city to comply with the First Amendment’s free‑exercise clause and the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal‑protection guarantee. The complaint also references a prior incident in September 2025 when the mayor opposed a pastor’s criticism of a street naming after Osama Siblani, a figure linked to organizations designated as terrorist by the U.S. government.
Community reaction
The case has drawn attention from conservative commentators, including Cam Higby and Jake Lang, who attended a November rally in Dearborn to voice concerns about perceived religious bias. However, city officials stress that the lawsuit does not change the everyday reality for residents of all faiths who use city parks, libraries, and services without discrimination.
What’s next?
The federal court will review the complaint and determine whether Dearborn’s holiday displays constitute unconstitutional favoritism. In the meantime, the city says it will continue to celebrate the cultural traditions of its diverse population while ensuring that all faith communities receive equal respect under the law.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
