Concerns Raised Over Street Signs in Dearborn
A resident of Michigan is speaking out after being told he is “unwelcome” in his own city for voicing concerns about street signs honoring a controversial figure in Arab American media.
Christian pastor Ted Burham, who lives in Dearborn, expressed his opposition at a city council meeting earlier this month regarding the naming of an intersection after Osama Siblani. Burham accused Siblani of supporting terrorist groups and promoting violence both abroad and in the U.S. “When his name is linked to Hezbollah and now Hamas, I just don’t think it’s appropriate for him to be recognized publicly in an American city,” Burham stated emphatically.
During the meeting, he highlighted comments made by Siblani, a Lebanese-American, suggesting he had encouraged violence in the Middle East and within the United States. Burham recounted a specific instance where Siblani talked about “marist blood” nourishing Palestinian land. In a 2022 address, Siblani allegedly stated that everyone should fight “within his means.”
Siblani dismissed Burham’s claims as unfounded, asserting he is the “only person” against the street sign initiative. He noted that support for the honor is widespread, claiming it represents the recognition of over 40 years of service to the community.
The mayor of Dearborn, Abdullah H. Hammaud, defended the decision to honor Siblani, emphasizing his contributions over decades. He told Burham to “close his eyes” if he didn’t want to see the signs, which Burham wryly suggested wasn’t great advice, adding that doing so while driving could lead to accidents.
Burham expressed he didn’t want to foster hostility towards Muslims, but his faith drove him to speak out regarding the intersection. He stated, “I want to encourage my love for my Muslim friends,” indicating a desire for community unity, despite pointing out the current tensions.
According to Burham, he is now facing backlash online, including being permanently banned from Facebook and losing 16 years of personal content. He suspects that this retaliation could be linked to his previous video urging Muslims to convert to Christianity, with some community members, perhaps even the mayor, claiming he played a role in this punishment.
