A federal lawsuit was filed on Thursday, claiming that the city of Dearborn used taxpayer money to celebrate Muslim holidays while ignoring a Christian resident’s requests for recognition of Easter and Passover.
Margot Cleveland, a journalist affiliated with The Federalist, has brought this civil rights lawsuit, teaming up with the American Freedom Law Center (AFLC) against the city and its Democratic Mayor, Abdullah Hammoud. The lawsuit alleges violations of her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights concerning religious establishment, free speech, and equal protection under the law.
Robert J. Muise, co-founder and senior counsel of the AFLC, pointed out that the city allocated taxpayer dollars to illuminate its streets and parks for Ramadan, yet disregarded Cleveland’s simple request for equal acknowledgment of Christian and Jewish holidays. “This clearly constitutes a violation of the Establishment Clause, and our client faced retaliation for speaking out, which only exacerbates the constitutional issues at play,” he said in a statement.
Dearborn boasts one of the largest Arab American populations in the U.S., with the 2020 Census reporting nearly 110,000 residents, over half of whom indicated Middle Eastern or North African heritage. The city’s main roads are adorned with businesses displaying Arabic signs and Middle Eastern cuisine, and there are ten mosques located within its limits, according to an online directory.
Hammoud became the city’s first Muslim and Arab American mayor when he was elected in November 2021.
“What makes this situation particularly concerning is the response—or lack thereof—from city officials, including the Mayor, who reacted to a citizen’s respectful request for fairness with silence and, frankly, hostility. The Mayor even told a Christian resident that he was ‘not welcome’ in his own city,” remarked David Yerushalmi, one of the attorneys involved in the case. “Cleveland is merely asking for equal treatment for Christians and Jews.”
Cleveland’s legal team highlighted an incident in September involving Hammoud and Christian pastor Ted Barham, who raised concerns about the city’s choice to rename a street after Usama Siblani, known for his supportive comments regarding Hezbollah. During this exchange, Hammoud referred to Barham as a “bigot” and an “Islamophobe,” telling him, “And although you live here, I want you to know as mayor, you are not welcome here.”
Cleveland’s lawsuit alleges city officials ignored her requests for recognition of Christian and Jewish holidays, especially after noticing extensive Ramadan banners and crescent moon displays in spring 2025. Public records revealed that the city had spent about $1,500 on Ramadan banners and $5,000 on crescent moon decorations. Additionally, the police department sold Ramadan-themed T-shirts.
In her communications to the city, Cleveland expressed her desire for equal recognition rather than asking for the celebration of Muslim holidays to cease. “I much prefer to ensure equality of faith traditions, as opposed to a challenge to the display,” she wrote in an email.
However, the city allegedly continued to overlook her requests and even expanded Ramadan decorations in February 2026 by commissioning additional crescent-and-star lights for municipal streetlights.
“This initiative reflects who we are as a city,” Hammoud stated.
The tension between Cleveland and city officials persisted into April, when she claims she was informed she could attend a community meeting as a resident but not in her capacity as a journalist. The lawsuit also mentions that Hammoud made a “snide comment” regarding residents who criticize the city on social media for profit.
Cleveland maintained that she was simply a concerned resident ignored by the city. “Despite the repeated requests, they treated her as if she were an outsider and not a full member of the political community,” Muise added.
This lawsuit emerges amidst Michigan’s closely watched 2026 US Senate race, where Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, a Muslim with Egyptian immigrant parents, is contesting against Republican nominee Mike Rogers. Issues of religion and antisemitism have sparked contention in the race, with both sides exchanging criticisms. El-Sayed’s supporters have accused his opponents of anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Fox News Digital attempted to reach out to both Hammoud’s office and Cleveland’s legal representatives for comments.
