Once known for its Polish immigrants, Hamtramck, Michigan is now recognized as the first city in America with a Muslim-majority City Council – four out of six members are Muslim, three of them are immigrants.
Since the election last November, there has been some concern that the council members will only focus on Muslim issues, but council-members like Saad Almasmari deny the assertion, saying the council’s focus will be on economics and attracting new businesses and investors to the city.
“We’re going to represent everyone,” says Almasmari, who immigrated from Yemen to America in 2009. “We’re going to help all the community. … We’re all going to be under the Constitution, that’s going to be our roof. Whatever Hamtramck or Michigan law allows them to do, we’re not going to stop them.”
Hamtramck comprises of 22,000 citizens, the biggest ethnic group are Yemeni-Americans who make up 24% population, and almost all are said to identify with the Muslim faith.
For even more on this story, please read: Detroit Suburb Elects Muslim Majority City Council.
