Last year, comedian Davey Jackson and his team conducted an undercover investigation in Dearborn, Michigan, which is the largest city in the U.S. with a Muslim majority. This initiative aimed to explore claims of religious extremism and political intimidation. The documentary, produced by Jackson, captures a series of surprising events that included covertly filming in mosques, entering suspected jihadist locations, and looking into FBI actions related to possible ISIS-related plots.
In a recent episode of “Sara Gonzalez Unfiltered,” Jackson shared insights from his research in an area that has been referred to as “Diabonistan.” Upon arrival in Dearborn, Jackson observed that many residents seemed hesitant to discuss Islam. He recounted an incident where plans to interview a local church member resulted in being asked to leave by an administrator upon discovering their intentions. Jackson reflected on the community’s fears, mentioning that criticism of certain religious aspects can provoke strong reactions. He cited the case of Nick Shirley, a journalist targeted after exposing fraudulent activities in a daycare center operated by Somali immigrants, who now lives under security due to death threats.
Jackson further elaborated that people from certain backgrounds are familiar with intimidation tactics from their home countries. This was evident during a City Council meeting, where after addressing concerns about local street signs honoring individuals with controversial ties, he was told by the mayor that he was “not welcome.” When he raised a question about potential retaliation against residents, he faced threats of removal from the meeting.
The documentary also features Jackson and his colleague, Gary Faust, as they explored a building rumored to be a jihadist hideout. Local residents had warned them about suspicious activity next to a mosque, leading them to investigate. “This looks almost entirely like a meth lab,” Jackson remarked, sharing footage recorded inside. He explained that after speaking to multiple residents, they concluded it was operated by a biker gang, working closely with local Arabs, a situation he suggested was unfortunately not uncommon.
For more details on Sara and Jackson’s discussion, check out the full interview.
