Dearborn Mayor Speaks Publicly For First Time Since Slamming Resident

DEARBORN, MI — Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud spoke publicly Tuesday for the first time since blasting a resident earlier this month, telling him, "You are not welcome here."

"Dearborn represents the best of America," Hammoud said during Tuesday's city council meeting. "We put into practice the ideal that people of all backgrounds, of all faiths and of all beliefs can live peacefully and respectfully as neighbors, as classmates, as business owners and as congregants. And that is precisely why we have long been mislabeled and targeted, long before the sensationalized headlines of this past week."

Hammoud then went on to say that people have been intent on dividing Dearborn due to its diverse population. He cited incidents of people burning Qurans and harassing families at the Arab American festival.

"Dearborn has often been slandered for simply coexisting peaceably, because the truth is, some people are uncomfortable and frankly upset about seeing church steeples and mosque domes share the same skyline on roads like Alter Road," Hammoud said. "But Dearborn has never fallen for these divisive attempts."

Hammoud did not reference the comments he made toward resident Ted Barham, or speak directly to him.

• Related - 'You're Not Welcome Here': Dearborn Mayor Slams Resident During Council Meeting

Barham did attend Tuesday night's meeting and spoke during public comment. He said he believes Christians face suppression of speech around the world.

"There is nowhere in the world where we’re able to speak completely freely as Christians," Barham said.

Other residents who spoke during the meeting were divided.

Nathan Hayes, a pastor at Solid Rock Church in Dearborn, called Dearborn the greatest city he's ever lived in. He said that "video clips on social media" give a misleading portrait of the reality of Dearborn, and went on to thank the mayor for his leadership.

Dearborn resident Jeff Davis was critical of the mayor, calling his words toward Barham "derogatory and inflammatory."

"As mayor, you hold the highest position of authority and gravitas in the city," Davis said. "He should be a unifier of the different groups here, and not fan any flames of division."

Another resident told councilmembers she values Dearborn for its diversity and leadership.

"Five seconds of a council meeting taken out of context shouldn't define the character of a man who has spent years helping his neighbors," she said.

Dearborn resident Nicole said, "we need a mayor who does not attack Christians."

"I do ask in your official capacity as mayor ... that you speak respectfully to those that you fervently disagree with, and that you ensure all residents are free to engage in our civil duties without any personal attacks," Nicole said.