Abdullah Hammoud, the youngest and first Arab and Muslim mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, is making strides in building a diverse and inclusive community in one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. His efforts have earned him recognition and praise, but he remains grounded and committed to his vision for the city.
Addressing the Needs of a Diverse Workforce
Hammoud has made it a priority to ensure that the government fairly reflects the diversity of its community. As such, he has worked with the city’s powerful unions to grant all city employees paid days off for the two Muslim Ramadan holidays, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. This move is a first in the city and is in line with the paid religious holidays granted to Christians and Jews. By doing this, Hammoud has demonstrated his commitment to treating everyone equally and addressing the needs of a diverse workforce.
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Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees
Dearborn has a history of welcoming immigrants, and Hammoud wants to continue this tradition. He acknowledges that the immigrant population has been integral to the growth and prosperity of the city. Hammoud is particularly keen on welcoming Afghan refugees who have been stationed at the border between Dearborn and Detroit. He believes that they would love to be permanently resettled in Dearborn due to its welcoming nature. Hammoud recognizes that immigrant-owned businesses are proliferating in the city, and this adds to the vibrancy of the community.
ChallengesÂ
Although Hammoud has been successful in creating a diverse and inclusive community, he acknowledges that challenges and discrimination still exist in pockets throughout the city, state, and country. Hammoud believes that discrimination is not a major issue in Dearborn, but he acknowledges that it does exist. He recognizes that some people might think that he is pushing one sub-sector of the community more than the other without validation or justification. To address this, Hammoud ensures that he has a very diverse administration that looks like the community they serve. He also ensures that the agenda that they roll out impacts all the residents in all four corners of the city.
Leadership and Inspiration
Hammoud has shown that leadership is not about the direction in which an individual prays, but about the direction in which an individual leads. He believes that the important part of government is making sure that pathways of trust are built with the residents because that trust is what allows one to manoeuvre, to advance, and to advocate. Hammoud has been an inspiration to many young people, especially those who come from marginalised communities. He has demonstrated that with hard work, determination, and the right mindset, one can achieve anything they set their mind to.
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Mayor Abdullah Hammoud is making a significant impact in Dearborn by building a diverse and inclusive community. His efforts to address the needs of a diverse workforce and welcome immigrants and refugees have earned him recognition and praise. Hammoud remains grounded and committed to his vision for the city, even as he acknowledges the challenges and discrimination that still exist. He serves as an inspiration to many young people, and his leadership is a testament to what can be achieved through hard work and determination.