A Dearborn, Michigan, town hall became a heated confrontation Tuesday after a local pastor accused the city of operating under "Sharia law" and demanded officials take stronger action against what he described as growing Muslim influence.
According to Fox News, Lorenzo Sewell, pastor of 180 Church, made the remarks during the city council meeting as protesters gathered to voice concerns about the treatment of Muslim residents and recent clashes involving demonstrators.
"America, we have lost this city. This is a city that is no longer up under American laws; we are up under Sharia law. We will not have it anymore," Sewell said.
"Enough is enough."
Sewell's comments were not based on legislation formally establishing Islamic religious law in Dearborn.
Instead, he and other critics pointed to what they described as unequal treatment of Muslims by local authorities.
One dispute involved political activist Jake Lang, who was involved in a confrontation with Muslim counterprotesters during the city's annual Arbaeen March earlier this month.
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Video showed Lang being struck from behind while carrying a sign and later being pursued toward his vehicle.
Police said one person was arrested during the altercation and remained held without bond while prosecutors reviewed possible charges.
Lang has continued to criticize Muslim communities in Dearborn through social media, while Sewell has argued that the response to the confrontation demonstrates what he views as a double standard.
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The pastor and other demonstrators organized their protest around Tuesday's meeting, calling on city officials to address what they characterize as the growing influence of Islamic culture and Sharia law.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud rejected those claims during the meeting, saying criticism aimed at the city's Muslim and Arab population also affects residents of other faiths.
"When people portray Dearborn as some place that has been overtaken by Muslims, they aren’t simply attacking our Muslim and Arab communities," Hammoud said. "They’re also trying to erase our Christian brothers and sisters who have contributed immeasurably to the city and folks of other faiths."
Hammoud said the rhetoric goes beyond any single religious community, arguing that residents of different backgrounds can belong to the country at the same time.
Dearborn has become a national focus because of its large Arab American population. Census data from 2020 showed that roughly 54.5% of the city's residents reported Middle Eastern or North African ancestry.
The dispute comes as Dearborn continues to draw national attention over questions surrounding religion, immigration, political activism and the role of Muslim Americans in civic life.
"Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud rejected those claims" - is anyone surprised? They have a fox guarding the hen house!