Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Toggle search form
  • Bavaria non-Alcoholic
    Ziyad Brothers congratulates brewers of Bavaria non-alcoholic beer for receiving international award Business
  • ADALAH confronts racist laws
    Civil Society Organizations to the Israeli Supreme Court: Cancel the Racist Admissions Committees Law Activism
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist American Arabs
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees American Arabs
  • Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Wikipedia
    Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support Michigan
  • MBC launches new satellite channel focused on Saudi Culture
    Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture Arab World
  • The names and faces of the 14 Palestinian engaged in an open hunger strike to demand freedom from administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial. Graphic by Samidoun. You can join Samidoun's campaign here and find useful resources.
    Palestinians mount hunger strike campaign against administrative detention Arab World
  • “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights,” McCormick Place, August 14-18, for the largest, worldwide gathering of global, faith-based, and social change leaders. 
    Largest global interfaith gathering coming to Chicago this week Christian & Muslim
  • State rep. Cyril Nichols, Democrat, 32nd Illinois House District
    Relationship between Arab Americans and African Americans needs more balance, Black State Rep says American Arabs
  • Syropotamia Online Magazine logo
    SYROPOTAMIA online magazine launched to Illuminate Arab American Stories American Arabs
  • Detroit’s true freedom fighters, activist, trailblazer, and leader Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson who died on July 10, 2023
    AHRC Mourns the passing of Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson, Freedom Fighter and Detroit Icon American Arabs
  • Abed Ayoub ADC National Director (Aug. 2022)
    ADC launches Arab American Business Advisory Council American Arabs
  • Rev. Jesse L. Jackson celebrates the 35th Anniversary of his 1988 campaign for president, an event which empowered Arab American voters.
    Rev. Jackson to host 35th Anniversary of his historic 1988 candidacy for president American Arabs
  • The grand opening ceremony and special ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Muhammad Ali Park in Detroit was held on Wednesday, June 21 at 12:00 p.m., with H.E. Mr. Meshal Bin Hamad Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to the US; Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit; Mayor Abdallah Hammoud, Dearborn; Mayor Amir Ghalib, Hamtramck; Eric Sabree, Wayne County Treasurer; and a number of civic and religious leaders.  
    AHRC Salutes All Who Made the Muhammad Ali Park in Detroit a Reality  American Arabs
  • Rev. Jesse L. Jackson celebrates the 35th Anniversary of his 1988 campaign for president, an event which empowered Arab American voters.
    Zogby to speak about Jackson’s role in supporting Arab empowerment at Rainbow Push conference July 14-19 American Arabs

Community protests building of mosque in Detroit suburb

Posted on August 28, 2015September 24, 2018 By rayhanania 6 Comments on Community protests building of mosque in Detroit suburb
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Loading

A proposal to build a mosque in Sterling Heights, a suburb of Detroit, has attracted a lot of anger and protests from the public including Middle East Christians who were among the most vociferous in their opposition. The protests included complaints about traffic but also addressed issues of racism and stereotypes against Muslims. Mosque issue will be focus on Nov. 2 election, critics vow

By Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania covering Chicago City Hall (1976-1992)
Ray Hanania
covering Chicago
City Hall
(1976-1992)

Whenever the building of a mosque is proposed in an American community it automatically explodes into a heated public debate characterized by racist, anti-Muslim comments from “Americans” who claim that it will attract terrorism and undermine this country.

But a proposal to build a mosque in Sterling Heights, a suburb of Detroit Michigan, not only drew the same Islamophobia, but also had one unique aspect, a growing number of Middle East and Arabic speaking Christians who joined in protesting and demanding that the mosque plan, for a property located at 4935 15 Mile Road, should be blocked.

The mosque proposal was made by the American Islamic Community Center (AICC) based in the nearby suburb of Madison Heights more than a year ago to the Sterling Heights Planning Commission, but was presented to the public at a Planning Commission meeting on August 13.

Chaldean protestor opposing the building of a Mosque in Sterling Heights holds up image of a woman in a burqa as a reason why (from the Sterling Heights City Video.)
Chaldean protestor opposing the building of a Mosque in Sterling Heights holds up image of a woman in a burqa as a reason why (from the Sterling Heights City Video.)

Hundreds of people attended the Planning Commission, forcing the commission to delay the vote on the mosque for another month. The Planning Commission will reconsider the Mosque plan at its next meeting on September 10, 2015.

The proposal was raised again during the public comment segment at the end of the August 18, 2015 meeting of the Sterling Heights City Council meeting, where more than 25 people spoke against the mosque and only a few said it was disgraceful that with so many Christian Churches, that Muslims could not have a house of worship, too.

One speaker protesting against the mosque told the Sterling City Council board said when he identified himself at the Planning Commission meeting claimed that he was harassed and bullied after speaking out against the Mosque. Several other speakers said they are afraid to identify themselves and give their home addresses because of alleged retaliation.

Mayor Taylor said he would not require speakers to give their home addresses but they have to identify their names.

Speaker after speaker threatened the board members urging them to step in and take over the mosque proposal, although the mayor, Michael Taylor, said that the City Council has no authority over the plan, or face being thrown out of office int he next election. Taylor was appointed mayor to fill the remaining term of former Mayor Richard Notte, who was serving his 11th two-year term as the city’s mayor when he died on October 2014 at age 76 from pancreatic cancer.

The next election is November 2, 2015.

One Chaldean speaker denounced the Muslims as “killers” and warned that the Muslims will do to America “what they did in Iraq.”

Here is the video recording of the Sterling Heights City Council meeting:

August 18, 2015 City Council meeting (The public discussion on the mosque plan begins at the 1 hour 20 minute meeting mark on the video of the 3 hour and 25 minute meeting.)

These videos are segments of the Planning Commission Meeting:

August 13, 2015 Planning Commission, a candidate for office opposes the mosque

August 13, 2015 Planning Commission, a Muslim asking to build the mosque, explains what he is trying to do as residents in the audience belittle him

August 13, 2015, candidate Planning Commission for mayor challenging Taylor speaks

Speaker after speaker yelled about how Muslims pray five times a day “and will be in our face every single day.” And they complained that they were being described as “racist” for opposing the Mosque.

The tragedy is listening to the critics is that it is so clear that they are motivated by racism, hatred driven in some cases by ignorance or fear.

The animosity was disturbing.

The new factor, though, is the involvement of Chaldeans, Christians from the Middle East who are among the largest of the Middle East population in the Detroit region. But Chaldeans, like Assyrians, do not consider themselves to be “Arab,” even though they speak Arabic.

Middle East Christians are a dying breed in the Middle East. They are oppressed by Islamic extremists, targeted by ISIS and they are often bullied by Muslim activists in the Middle East but also in America. Muslim extremists bully Christians like myself and tragically the majority of mainstream Muslims refuse to defend Christians or to speak out against the extremists in their community.

Many of the Chaldeans who call my radio show, which I host on the 2nd Friday of every month, and also during special broadcasts, call constantly and complain about the Muslim community in Detroit. The anger and resentment is deep seated. It’s not the exception. Many Chaldeans are angry with the Muslims, and Muslims don’t want to address it.

========================

[My next shows are Friday Sept. 4, and Friday Sept. 11, 2015 both at 8 am Eastern time (7 am Chicago time) on WNZK AM 690 Radio and in Washington DC on AM 700 Radio. Click here to listen to the live hour-long broadcast where we will discuss this and other issues. Click here to listen to podcast archives of past shows. Call the studio during the show at 248-557-3300.]

========================

Just writing about this topic will provoke attacks against me from haters, racist and bigots in the Muslim community.

The reality is that there are racists, haters and bigots not just in the mainstream American public, but also in the Christian Arab community and in the Muslim American community. But when we discuss the Middle East, Muslims are recognized as the representatives of the Arab World, where most of the Arab countries have declared Islam as their official religion. In fact, in many Islamic countries, it is prohibited to build a Christian Church there, or even a Synagogue for Jews.

Sadly, many Muslims don’t want to address those topics. They want us to just pretend these issues don’t exist. And when you bring them up, they denounce you as anti-Muslim. Yet, they are silent against Muslim who are anti-Christian.

This failure to defend Christians has resulted in the rise of anti-Muslim racism and hatred, like that displayed at the Sterling Heights Planning Commission and the Sterling Heights City Council meeting.

The opposition to the mosque mostly reflects ignorance driven by hatred. As much as some of the speakers deny that they are racist, their views are clearly driven by racism. Some claimed they were only against having a large building in their “quiet” neighborhood, but one Sterling Heights official noted accurately that had this been about building a large Catholic Church, there would be no controversy.

That was the most accurate statement made.

This was a typical comment from one of the Chaldean protestors:

“My concern is the safety of my children. … The future of the city is going. It is not going in the right direction. I know with the background of the country I came from, I know a little about everything of such people. I am not prejudiced … Iraq was owned by Christians. In the 1800s, Islamic Muslims came to the country seeking health, food and shelter. What happened now?” the Chaldean speaker says. As he speaks, a man in the audience said that Muslims are “cutting heads off now.” The speaker continued, “My cousin lives in Saudi Arabia. The (government) found out they were praying and they were kicked out of the country. Can you put a church in any Muslim country? Think about it.”

Here are some good articles from the Arab American News Newspaper based in Dearborn which is covering the controversy, along with other news. Arab News writer Samir Hijazi does a great job of covering the event in this Op-Ed article. Click here.

Clearly, Muslims and Christians need to start discussing these and more issues. And we need to silence the small loudmouthed fanatics who grab the stage and public attention but who do not represent who we really are.

As long as the extremists are the ones who the American people see, we will continue to see this kind of hatred from mainstream Americans, a racist hatred that continues to grow, not subside.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Ziyad Brothers congratulates brewers of Bavaria non-alcoholic beer for receiving international award - September 22, 2023
  • Civil Society Organizations to the Israeli Supreme Court: Cancel the Racist Admissions Committees Law - September 22, 2023
  • CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist - September 19, 2023

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Commentary, Editors Picks, Ray Hanania, religion Tags:Chaldeans, community fears, Dearborn, Detroit, hatred, Iraq, Iraqi Christians, Islam, Islamophobia, Michigan, Middle East Christians, Mosque, Muslim Christian relations, protests, public hearing, racism, Sterling Heights

Post navigation

Previous Post: Turkish soccer supports Erdogan’s war against the Kurds
Next Post: The Middle East: Who says popular quest for change has been quelled?

Related Posts

  • Khorasan exists, Al Qaida leaders say Ali Younes
  • World sees Israel’s brutality in Occupied Palestine Arab World
  • Don’t call me MENA, call me Arab American Arabs
  • A Nonviolent Action to Stamp Out Extremism and Violence American Arabs
  • Obama hosts Iftar in honor of Ramadan American Arabs
  • Its Not So Late Show interview with guest and social media phenom Salem Furrha with Aaron Hanania.
    Salem Furrha guests on the “It’s Not So Late Show” with Aaron Hanania American Arabs

More Related Articles

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board. CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd American Arabs
Martin Luther King, Tom Hayden and April 4 2017 American Arabs
Podcast Interview: Naomi Shihab Nye on books, writing and journalism American Arabs
State rep. Cyril Nichols, Democrat, 32nd Illinois House District Relationship between Arab Americans and African Americans needs more balance, Black State Rep says American Arabs
ADC Panel Discussion Media impact on image of Arabs & Muslims after Sept. 11, 2001, held on Monday August 16, 2021 ADC explores Media coverage of Arabs & Muslims after Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks American Arabs
“Our Fates Are Linked” Arab World

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Ali Mohamed Ahmed Osman Charge d’Affaires Embassy Sudan Tokyo
    The RSF mutiny’s resonance in Sudan: Understanding some of its impacts on regional and global dynamics
    September 23, 2023
  • Windows at many American Arab owned stores were broken the day after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 14 Americans who "looked' Middle Eastern were murdered in the six months after the terrorism by Americans, most of whom were never prosecuted. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims
    September 11, 2023
  • Magdi A. Mofadal is the ambassador of Sudan to Austria
    Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan
    August 28, 2023
  • Arab Americans and other minorities will suffer if automakers eliminate AM radio
    August 28, 2023
  • grab634.jpg
  • Ziyad-300x300FIndStore.jpg
  • NEWS
  • Bavaria non-Alcoholic
    Ziyad Brothers congratulates brewers of Bavaria non-alcoholic beer for receiving international award
    September 22, 2023
  • ADALAH confronts racist laws
    Civil Society Organizations to the Israeli Supreme Court: Cancel the Racist Admissions Committees Law
    September 22, 2023
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist
    September 19, 2023
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees
    September 18, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist
    September 19, 2023
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees
    September 18, 2023
  • MBC launches new satellite channel focused on Saudi Culture
    Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture
    August 18, 2023
  • Abed Ayoub ADC National Director (Aug. 2022)
    ADC launches Arab American Business Advisory Council
    July 14, 2023

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Events

  • Amer Zahr's 1001 Laughs Palestine Comedy Festival returns in 2023
    Amer Zahr's 1001 Laughs Palestine Comedy Festival returns in 2023
    16 Sep 23
  • Light in Gaza: Born of Fire Upcoming Book Tour Dates for Portland & Washington State
    Light in Gaza: Born of Fire Upcoming Book Tour Dates for Portland & Washington State
    30 Sep 23
  • US Council of Muslim Organizations to hold 10th anniversary Fundraiser
    US Council of Muslim Organizations to hold 10th anniversary Fundraiser
    15 Oct 23
    Oak Brook
  • Arab American Democratic Club to host 40th Anniversary celebration Nov. 1
    Arab American Democratic Club to host 40th Anniversary celebration Nov. 1
    1 Nov 23
    Bolingbrook

POPULAR POSTS

  • AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) is pleased to announce its ... posted on September 18, 2023
  • Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims ... posted on September 11, 2023
  • Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan By Magdi A. Mofadal Sudan’s partners are sounding the alarm over the deteriorating ... posted on August 28, 2023
  • Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Salem Furrha and his eight children @theFurrhaFamily on TikTok and Instagram represent ... posted on February 6, 2021
  • CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) ... posted on September 19, 2023
  • Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement ... posted on August 27, 2023

Recent Posts

  • The RSF mutiny’s resonance in Sudan: Understanding some of its impacts on regional and global dynamics
  • Ziyad Brothers congratulates brewers of Bavaria non-alcoholic beer for receiving international award
  • Civil Society Organizations to the Israeli Supreme Court: Cancel the Racist Admissions Committees Law
  • CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist
  • AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land
    February 18, 2023
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Comedian Ahmed Ahmed at The Comedy Bar in Chicago June 9 - 11, 2023
    Comedian Ahmed Ahmed performs in Chicago June 9-11, 2023 at The Comedy Bar
    June 9, 2023
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan 
    April 4, 2023
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme