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Learn about Hamtramck, the first and only city in the US with a Muslim government. Discover its history, diversity, and challenges.
Historical Background
Hamtramck is a small city in the state of Michigan, United States, that has an area of about 5 square kilometers and a population of about 28 thousand people. This city has a unique and interesting history, because it was once the center of the automotive industry in America and a home for many immigrants from different countries.
In the early 20th century, Hamtramck was dominated by residents of German descent who worked in car factories. However, with the arrival of Polish immigrants who were looking for blue-collar jobs, the city changed into “Little Warsaw” and became a base for the Polish Roman Catholic community. In 1970, about 90 percent of Hamtramck’s population was of Polish origin.
However, during the economic crisis and the decline of the automotive industry in America, many younger and wealthier Polish Americans began moving to the suburbs, leaving Hamtramck in a poor and neglected condition. But this also opened up opportunities for new immigrants from various countries such as Bosnia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Pakistan, India, and others to settle in the city at a cheap price.
Demographic and Cultural Changes
With the arrival of these new immigrants, Hamtramck experienced significant demographic and cultural changes. According to the 2010 census, about 24 percent of Hamtramck’s population were Muslims, 19 percent were Polish Roman Catholics, 12 percent were Eastern European Orthodox Christians, and the rest were Protestants, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews, and others. Here, about 30 languages are used in daily life.
Hamtramck also became a multicultural city that lives up to its slogan “The world in two square miles”. On the main streets of this city, Polish sausage shops and Eastern European bakeries are seen alongside Yemeni department stores and Bengali clothing shops. Church bells ring out along with the Islamic call to prayer. Muslim residents queue up to buy paczki, a kind of custard-filled Polish doughnut. It is not unusual to see some people with miniskirts and tattoos and some in burqas walking on the same street.
Political Achievements
In November 2021, Hamtramck made new history in American politics. This city became the first in the country to have a government that is entirely Muslim. Amer Ghalib (42), a Yemeni immigrant who worked as a civil engineer at the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, was sworn in as the first Muslim mayor of Hamtramck. He defeated Karen Majewski (63), the incumbent mayor who had served for 16 years.
In addition, the Hamtramck City Council also consists of six members who are all Muslim. They are Nayeem Choudhury (38), a Bangladeshi immigrant who works as a lawyer; Mohammed Hassan (37), a Bangladeshi immigrant who works as a teacher; Mohammed Alsomiri (38), a Yemeni immigrant who works as an entrepreneur; Fadel Al-Marsoumi (24), an Iraqi immigrant who works as a community coordinator; Saad Almasmari (32), a Yemeni immigrant who works as an accounting manager; and Abu Musa (40), a Bangladeshi immigrant who works as a pharmacy technician.
Challenges and Hopes
Although they have achieved remarkable political achievements, the Muslim leaders in Hamtramck also face great challenges and hopes from their community. They have to be able to meet the needs and aspirations of the city’s diverse population in terms of religion, culture, ethnicity, race, gender, age, education, occupation, and others. They also have to be able to improve the economic and social welfare of the city that is still one of the poorest cities in Michigan.
Moreover, they also have to be able to maintain harmony and tolerance among religions and cultures amid rising Islamophobia and discrimination in the United States. They have to prove that Islam is not a radical or extremist religion, but rather a peaceful and moderate one. They have to show that Muslims can be good and contributive American citizens.
Hamtramck is a real example that the United States is a multicultural and pluralist country. This city is an important case study for America’s future of increasing diversity. Will Hamtramck be an exception or a rule? Only time will tell.
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