DEARBORN, Mich. (WXYZ) — Community leaders in Dearborn say it’s time to call more attention to hate crimes against the Muslim American community, and they’re calling on elected leaders to take on a larger role.
During a press conference today outside the Dearborn Police Station, we heard a strong message being delivered.
This comes after a young boy was viciously murdered and his mother also attacked in Chicago. Police say it was motivated by their religion and the attacker was a landlord.
“An innocent, 6-year-old Palestinian young boy was stabbed 26 times in Chicago,” says Imam Imran Salha of the Islamic Center of Detroit.
The statements also come after another man was charged with threatening Palestinian Americans in Dearborn.
Khalid Turaani represents the Mich. Task Force for Palestine and says elected leaders must take more of a stand.
“They have nothing to say about that. That’s really alarming and a cause of concern,” says Khalid.
Dawud Walid with CAIR Michigan also spoke out to say, “Dearborn is seen as the epicenter of Islam in the U.S. We’ve had white supremacists come to protest with guns outside our mosque in years past.”
Walid says his office is now receiving more calls about threats and intimidation.
“All sorts of threats and dehumanization on social media against Arabs and Muslims. Talking about Dearborn,” says Walid.
Today, we reached out to several elected leaders for comment at the state and federal level, and are waiting to hear back.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following statement on the threats and violence:
In Michigan, we have so many families who are feeling the trauma and mourning the loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives. There are also countless Michiganders who are trapped overseas during the conflict. We are working with the federal government and members of our congressional delegation to get Michigan families home as soon as possible. Our strength as a state is our ability to bring people together to get through difficult times.
Representative Debbie Dingell issued the following statement as well:
Below, are some of their statements that referenced recent violence in the Middle East, made on social media.
I’m very concerned about the millions of innocent civilians in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis is worsening daily & 2000+ people have been killed, including women & children. The US must ensure adherence to international law to protect lives. https://t.co/e9uY8lGXXs
— Rep. Debbie Dingell (@RepDebDingell) October 15, 2023
I have been in touch with communities impacted by what’s happening in the region. It is abhorrent. My heart is with all those impacted. We need peace in this region.
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) October 7, 2023
My office continues to be laser-focused on getting Michiganders safely home from Israel & Gaza. We are on calls every day with the State Department & will continue to post updates on my social media. My prayers go out to everyone desperately working to get home to their families.
— Sen. Debbie Stabenow (@SenStabenow) October 15, 2023
