Dearborn, Mich., is home to the largest Muslim population per capita in the nation. Yet it didn’t elect its first Muslim mayor until 2022 with the victory of Abdullah Hammoud, a 33-year-old who has big plans for his hometown.
Hammoud, a former member of the Michigan House, is rising within the ranks of a Democratic party that shocked the nation when Democrats flipped control of the state Legislature last year, handing the party a ruling trifecta for the first time in 40 years. Michigan and the rest of the Midwest are crucial to the success of Democrats’ 2024 electoral strategy.
“We have to be talking about these wins in a much more tangible way for people to actually see,” Hammoud said. “Let’s go city to city and say, ‘Hey, that highway you constructed, that sinkhole you had fixed, this new water or sewer infrastructure that came in to help prevent water coming into your basement, that was funded because of Democratic leadership and their priorities putting you first above politics.’ We have to be bolder in our messaging.”
Hammoud applied his background in epidemiology early on by creating a local health department, the first city in the state to voluntarily do so. He sees a future for Dearborn that draws upon its diversity to be more fair and effective in policing, advanced in technology and savvy about climate change.
We’re seeing a lot more assistance in terms of dollars coming down to the municipalities. As mayor and as a former legislator, what I will tell you is those closest to the problem are best positioned to tackle the issue. When you’re in Lansing, you’re several degrees away from what’s actually happening on the ground. So the fact that we’ve been getting additional resources and revenue sharing and grant opportunities, that’s helping us do our jobs on a daily basis.
My time in Lansing, I really became fond of appropriations and the budget. That has a far more direct impact than just legislation. What we saw right now was record-breaking budgets for our public school system. We had one of the largest per-pupil increases in history, and that is going to have a direct impact on educating the youth and people of tomorrow.
What I would love to see more of is more resources allocated to water and sewer infrastructure for the purpose of mitigation of flooding. That to me is the highest priority here in the city of Dearborn. We were devastated by floods in 2021. Almost two-thirds of our homes were underwater.
That is largely attributed to the fact that we’re a welcoming city, and we’re the capital of immigration in the state of Michigan. So what you see is a very diverse group of residents coming to live and they understand that Dearborn has this welcoming feel.
What we’re trying to do is make sure we’re making the right investments and what we’ve dubbed “the Dearborn advantage.” What is the advantage to being a Dearborn resident? We’re trying to lay down that value argument.
So we’re doing free books for kids between the ages of 0 and 5 mailed to your doorstep every month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Foundation. We have 45-plus parks, five community pools, so probably more parks.
I didn’t know Dearborn had the largest Muslim population. That’s really interesting!
Could you provide more details about the floods in 2021? How did the city handle it?
As a resident of Dearborn, it’s so refreshing to have a mayor who understands the needs of the community. I appreciate the emphasis on diversity and inclusivity. Keep up the good work!
Wow, it’s great to hear about the positive changes happening in Dearborn under Mayor Hammoud’s leadership! I’m curious to know more about the city’s plans for addressing the flooding issue after the devastating floods in 2021.
This is ridiculous! Why are we talking about the first Muslim mayor like it’s some kind of achievement? It should be about their qualifications and ability to govern, not their religion. This kind of identity politics is dividing our country!
Why is he talking about Democratic leadership and politics? Can’t he just focus on doing his job?
Wow, this is such an inspiring story! It’s great to see a mayor who is focused on improving the city and addressing important issues like flooding. I think it’s important to acknowledge milestones like being the first Muslim mayor, but you’re right that qualifications and ability to govern should always be the priority.
I wonder how Abdullah Hammoud plans to make Dearborn more fair and effective in policing. It’s an important issue.
I’m not convinced that the increase in funding for schools is solely the result of Democratic leadership. There are a lot of factors at play.
I’m curious to know what other investments and advantages Dearborn is focusing on. It sounds like they’re doing a lot for their residents.
I’m confused, what does being a diverse city have to do with flooding?
I love the idea of free books for kids! Education is so important, especially at a young age. It’s wonderful to see initiatives like this that promote literacy and learning.
I can’t believe they elected a Muslim mayor. What’s happening to this country?
I am so proud to see Abdullah Hammoud become the first Muslim mayor of Dearborn! It’s about time we have representation that reflects the diversity of our community. I believe he will bring positive change and prioritize the needs of the people above politics. Let’s support him in his mission to make Dearborn a better place for everyone!
It’s great to see investment in infrastructure, but I wonder if there is enough evidence to support the claim that being a Democratic city is the main reason for these improvements.
I don’t see why this is such a big deal. Electing a Muslim mayor shouldn’t be a headline. It’s 2022, let’s focus on real issues.
Dearborn is truly lucky to have Abdullah Hammoud as their mayor. His dedication to creating a more fair and effective policing system, advancing technology, and addressing climate change is inspiring. I love his idea of the ‘Dearborn advantage’ and the initiatives he’s implementing, like providing free books for kids. This is the kind of leadership that will make a real difference in our community!
It’s great to see a mayor who is focused on improving the city and making it a better place for all residents. I like that he is prioritizing infrastructure and education. That’s what we need!
I find it hard to believe that a Democratic mayor is solely responsible for all these improvements. Sounds like typical political spin to me.
It’s great to see a mayor who is focused on improving infrastructure and addressing the needs of the community. The initiatives like free books for kids and the investment in water and sewer infrastructure are really important. Keep up the good work!
Well, I think the connection between being a diverse city and flooding is that with a diverse population comes a greater need for infrastructure and resources like water and sewer systems. It’s important to address these issues to ensure the well-being of all residents, regardless of their background.
I agree with Hammoud’s focus on water and sewer infrastructure. Flooding can be devastating, and it’s crucial to mitigate the risks. Dearborn’s diversity and welcoming feel are definitely an advantage that should be celebrated.
It’s great to see the positive impact Abdullah Hammoud is making in Dearborn! His focus on infrastructure and education is exactly what the city needs to thrive.
So this guy wants to talk about highways and sinkholes? Really groundbreaking stuff. I’m not impressed.
I didn’t know Dearborn had such a large Muslim population. That’s interesting.
Wow, I love that Dearborn is focusing on education and literacy! The free books initiative sounds amazing and it’s great to see the city investing in the future of its youth. Keep up the good work, Dearborn!
Wow, it’s great to see a mayor who is focused on improving the city and addressing the needs of the community. The diversity in Dearborn is what makes it unique and welcoming, and it’s refreshing to see that being embraced and celebrated.
Wow, I think you missed the point entirely. This story isn’t just about highways and sinkholes. It’s about a young Muslim mayor with big plans for his hometown and how Democrats are making real change in Michigan. Open your mind, dude!
I appreciate Hammoud’s efforts to allocate more resources to education. Investing in the public school system is key to ensuring a brighter future for the youth. The increase in per-pupil funding is promising.
The flooding problem sounds really serious. It’s good to know that the mayor is addressing it as a high priority. Investing in water and sewer infrastructure is crucial for preventing future disasters.
I love the idea of the Dearborn advantage! Providing free books for kids and having so many parks and community pools really shows the commitment to making the city a great place for families.
I think he’s talking about Democratic leadership and politics because it’s relevant to his job as mayor. It’s important for him to highlight the impact that Democratic leadership has had on the city, especially when it comes to funding infrastructure projects and improving education.
I think the connection between being a diverse city and flooding is that with a diverse population, there are more people who are affected by flooding. It’s important for the mayor to address this issue and allocate resources to mitigate it.
Thanks for sharing this story! It’s really inspiring to see a leader like Abdullah Hammoud making a positive impact on his community. It’s great to hear about his focus on infrastructure and education. Keep up the good work, Dearborn!
It’s great to see Abdullah Hammoud working to improve Dearborn and prioritize the needs of the residents. The creation of a local health department and investments in infrastructure are important steps towards a better future.
Thank you for recognizing the seriousness of the flooding problem and the importance of investing in water and sewer infrastructure. It is indeed a high priority for me as the mayor of Dearborn. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It’s great to see the emphasis on diversity and inclusivity in Dearborn. The initiatives like free books for kids and the focus on infrastructure are definitely steps in the right direction. Kudos to Dearborn for their efforts!
Free books for kids? That’s a great initiative!
I understand your concerns about prioritizing funding for Dearborn, but it’s important to recognize the unique needs of different communities. Dearborn’s diverse population and its challenges with flooding make it deserving of support. It’s about finding a balance and addressing the needs of all communities.
This is outrageous! Why are we prioritizing funding for a diverse city like Dearborn? What about the needs of other communities? This is just playing politics and not putting the people first!
I appreciate the emphasis on diversity and inclusivity. It’s important for everyone to feel welcome and supported in their community. I hope other cities follow Dearborn’s example.
Wow, I love the idea of free books for kids! It’s great to see initiatives that promote literacy and education. Keep up the good work, Dearborn!
Wow, it sounds like Abdullah Hammoud is really taking a proactive approach to improving Dearborn! I think it’s great that he’s focusing on infrastructure and education, and it’s important to remember that every community has its own unique needs. Prioritizing funding for Dearborn doesn’t mean other communities are being neglected.