Dearborn minister says he was branded racist after protest over signs honoring Arab American News founder

A Dearborn, Michigan, Christian minister says he was told he was not welcome in his own city after raising concerns about street signs honoring Osama Siblani, the founder and longtime publisher of The Arab American News. Ted Barham, who lives in Dearborn, spoke at a Sept. 9 City Council meeting to oppose renaming a local intersection in Siblani’s honor and describes a confrontation that he says crossed the line from policy dispute into personal ostracism.

At the meeting, Barham quoted remarks he attributed to Siblani, arguing that the comments could encourage violence not only in the Middle East but also on American soil. He said Siblani had spoken about “the blood of the martyrs” irrigating the land of Palestine and claimed in a 2022 speech that people should fight with various means. Barham asserted that such language, if real, would be inflammatory in a city with a sizable Arab American and Muslim population. Siblani has denied the specific quotations, telling Fox News Digital that he opposed the street sign and that Barham’s claims are false and biased. He said support for the honor has been widespread and cited “thousands of residents” who back the sign honoring his decades of service.

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud defended the decision to honor Siblani, highlighting the founder’s longstanding contributions to the community through The Arab American News. He dismissed Barham’s concerns and, in a moment that Barham described as dismissive, invited him to “close his eyes” if he did not want to see the signs. Barham recounted feeling singled out, telling Will Cain on Fox News that he did not intend harm toward the Muslim community and that his response to the mayor was an attempt at Christian charity: “God bless you, mayor. God bless you, sir.”

Barham said he has faced online retaliation since publicly challenging the signage. He claimed he was temporarily removed from Facebook, losing access to his personal account and media pages after posting a video urging Muslims to convert to Christianity, a claim he said hints at possible involvement by residents or even the mayor.

In the hearing, Hammoud characterized Barham as a “racist,” a “bigot” and an “Islamophobe.” He added, “Although you live here, I want you to know, as mayor, you are not welcome here, and the day you move out of the city will be the day that I launch a parade celebrating the fact that you moved out of this city.” Barham said he interpreted the exchange as another example of hostility toward non-Muslim residents who voice concerns about how public celebrations and honors might be perceived by the broader community. He emphasized that his faith compelled him to respond with restraint and compassion toward his critics.

The controversy centers on whether renaming an intersection to honor Siblani, who built a decades-long platform for Arab American news and advocacy, is appropriate given the broader political and religious tensions it touches. Siblani has argued that the honor reflects his contributions to Dearborn and the region, not endorsement of a particular political ideology or group. He contends that the sign honors a community leader who has helped thousands of residents feel seen and heard.

Barham, who spent time in the Middle East, said the political climate in parts of the world makes him wary of rising hostility toward Western values and Christians in Muslim-majority contexts. He told Cain that his aim was not to provoke anger but to call for respectful dialogue about how public symbols shape community identity. He added that he hopes the city can recognize a broader spectrum of civic achievement without appearing to privilege one organization or viewpoint over others.

Local reaction to the debate has been mixed and has highlighted how debates over commemoration can become proxies for broader national conversations about religion, migration, and public space. Hammoud’s supporters say the sign recognizes a local business and community leader who has worked to serve Dearborn’s diverse population. Opponents argue that honoring a figure with a history of controversial rhetoric risks alienating residents who fear the implications of elevating someone associated with extremism or violence. Barham’s supporters say the city should be careful about public symbols that could be seen as endorsing particular viewpoints.

The episode has drawn attention beyond Dearborn, illustrating how tightly local civic decisions can intersect with national debates about immigration, faith, and tolerance in the United States. While the city continues to defend its approach to honoring civic contributors, Barham’s experience raises questions about how open forums for dissent are managed when individuals feel personally attacked or ostracized for their views. The case underscores ongoing tensions in U.S. politics at the municipal level, where community values, public memory, and questions of inclusivity often collide in accessible civic spaces.

As Dearborn moves forward with its discussion of whether to rename streets or designate new markers, officials say the process will continue to include input from residents and stakeholders across the community. The episode also serves as a reminder that, even in local governance, questions of faith, identity, and freedom of speech can become pressing subjects with tangible consequences for those who raise concerns in public forums.