A Dearborn, Michigan, resident was publicly told he was “not welcome” in the city after raising objections to street signs honoring Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani, a figure accused of supporting extremist groups.
The exchange unfolded at a city council meeting last week, drawing attention to tensions over cultural representation in the community.
Edward “Ted” Barham, a Christian resident, addressed the council and criticized signs at two intersections commemorating Siblani.
He described the publisher as promoting Hezbollah and Hamas, quoting past statements, including, “the blood of the martyrs irrigates the land of Palestine … whether we are in Michigan and whether we are in Yemen.”
Barham compared the signage to naming a road “Hezbollah Street or Hamas Street,” emphasizing his Christian commitment to peace by quoting Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Council members clarified that the city had no control over the designations, which were approved by Wayne County, but Barham stressed that the signs were visible in the city and mattered to its residents.
Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud (D), a Muslim, responded by labeling Barham “a bigot” and “an Islamophobe,” adding, “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.”
The mayor also suggested Barham avoid Warren Avenue or “close your eyes while you’re doing it,” noting Siblani’s contributions to the community.
Siblani, who was born in Lebanon, has a history of anti-Israel and pro-jihad statements, BizPac Review notes.
According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), he appeared at a September 2024 rally where attendees chanted “death to Israel,” praised Hezbollah, and threatened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Dearborn has the highest percentage of Muslim residents of any U.S. city and has previously been described as a center of pro-terrorist sentiment.
In 2022, during a Nakba Day rally, Siblani encouraged attendees to support Palestinians and fight, reflecting his long-standing record of endorsing armed resistance.
Combat Antisemitism Movement CEO Sacha Roytman criticized Wayne County for honoring Siblani, stating, “Local leaders have a duty to promote the safety and welfare of all residents, yet by celebrating someone who incites violence, Wayne County has done the exact opposite.
The growing normalization of such toxic rhetoric undermines the security of Jewish Americans, who are already facing unprecedented levels of antisemitic hostility.”
The controversy highlights broader questions about civic spaces and whose voices are recognized or silenced.
While the city council did not approve the signage, the dispute reflects ongoing debates over cultural and political recognition, particularly when it intersects with national security concerns and the commemoration of controversial figures.
Fox News reached out to Mayor Hammoud’s office, Siblani and Barham for comment, but none responded by the time of publication.
The episode highlights the challenges local governments face in balancing recognition of community members with public safety and extremist concerns.
For Christian residents like Barham, a minority in the predominantly Muslim city, such situations can raise real worries, especially amid a national rise in hostility and attacks on churches and Christian institutions, including vandalism and arson.
While Dearborn’s population does not automatically lead to persecution, the broader climate of anti-Christian aggression across the U.S. may heighten feelings of tension and vulnerability among local Christians.
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