Dearborn’s Muslim mayor tells Christian he’s ‘not welcome’ in debate on honoring pro-terror Arab leader
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

At a Dearborn City Council meeting last week, Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud told local resident Edward “Ted” Barham, a Christian, that he was “not welcome” in the city after Barham raised concerns about new street signs honoring Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani.

FOX 2 Detroit reported that the signs honoring Siblani were placed at intersections on Warren Avenue by Wayne County, not the City of Dearborn. But the mayor escalated the debate, telling Barham, “Although you live here, you are not welcome here.”

Barham introduced himself as “Ted Barham, Dearborn resident,” and objected to two intersections being renamed after Siblani.

He said, “He’s a promoter of Hezbollah and Hamas” before quoting past remarks from Siblani, including, “He talks about how the blood of the martyrs irrigates the land of Palestine … whether we are in Michigan and whether we are in Yemen. Believe me, everyone should fight within his means. They will fight with stones, others will fight with guns, others fight with planes, drones, and rockets.” 

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud at city council meeting

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud speaks during a City Council meeting in Dearborn, Mich., on Sept. 9, 2025. (City of Dearborn)

Mayor Hammoud responded with remarks that shocked many in attendance. “The best suggestion I have for you is to not drive on Warren Avenue or to close your eyes while you’re doing it. His name is up there and I spoke at a ceremony celebrating it because he’s done a lot for this community,” Hammoud said. 

He went further, accusing Barham of being “a bigot, and you are racist, and you’re an Islamophobe,” before declaring: “Although you live here, I want you to know as mayor, you are not welcome here. And the day you move out of the city will be the day that I launch a parade celebrating the fact that you moved out of this city.”

Two veiled Muslim women participate in the voting process inside a school gym

Muslim voters cast ballots at a polling site in Dearborn, Mich., on November 5, 2024. (Adam James Dewey/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Hammoud’s office and Siblani for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication. Efforts to reach Ted Barham by phone were also unsuccessful.

Dearborn, the city with America’s highest-percentage Muslim population, has long navigated debate over cultural and political identity. For many average residents, the moment captured in City Hall begged the question of whether elected officials are willing to listen to all voices or only those they choose to celebrate.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Midtown Manhattan Accident: Truck Collides with Parked Van, Injures 9 as Vehicle Lands on Sidewalk

A chaotic scene unfolded in New York City on Monday when a…

Georgia Man in Custody After Heated Clash Over Trump Banner Escalates to Gunfire in North Carolina

Authorities have apprehended a man from Georgia, accused of tearing down a…

Patrick Warburton’s Hilarious Antics at Disney’s ‘Soarin” Attraction: A Family Affair to Remember

LOS ANGELES — Fans of Disney’s “Soarin’” attractions will be thrilled to…

White House Reacts to Insider Rumor: Trump’s Potential Move to Release Diddy

The White House has strongly criticized a recent report suggesting that Donald…

MAGA Christians Express Outrage Over FBI Head Kash Patel’s Diwali Celebration

Some Christians aligned with the MAGA movement have criticized FBI Director Kash…

Tragic Hit-and-Run Claims Life of Jacksonville Cyclist: Urgent Search for Driver Underway

A young man in his late 20s tragically lost his life while…

Spirit Halloween Unveils First Store Location: Discover Where the Iconic Retailer is Expanding Next

Step aside, Halloween—Spirit Christmas is ready to light up the season. WASHINGTON…

Runner Sets Record at Grand Teton, Faces Legal Action for Unapproved Route

Michelino Sunseri embarked on a daring adventure, navigating past rugged boulders to…