Community leaders silent on Iran bombing

By Charles Sercombe
President Trump ran as a “peace” candidate in 2024, and many Arab-Americans in Hamtramck believed that.
Trump campaigned to bring an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia, as well as Israel and the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. On “Day One,” he promised.
Both of those wars are still raging on, and now Trump ordered the bombing of three nuclear facilities in Iran – bringing the U.S. closer to becoming a full-on participant in war in the Middle East.
That’s on top of Trump’s administration bombing of Houthi militants in Yemen.
But, back in 2024, under the influence of Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, many Arab Americans switched from voting Democratic to supporting Trump and other Republicans, believing they would usher in an era of peace.
Ghalib took part in a rally at that time and denounced then-President Biden and his ongoing support of Israel and its military invasion and bombing of Gaza to wipe out Hamas militants, that has also killed thousands of Palestinian civilians and children.
Also at that time, at a campaign rally in Warren, local Imam Abo Belal Alzuhairi praised Trump as the peace candidate.
“We, as Muslims, stand with President Trump because he promises peace – not war,” Alzuhairi said, on stage with Trump and Hamtramck Yemeni-American community leaders.
He continued: “We are supporting Donald Trump because he promised to end war in the Mideast and Ukraine. The bloodshed has to stop all over the world. And I think this man (pointing to Trump) can make that happen.”
The Review reached out to Alzuhairi for comment, but he did not respond.
The Review also reached out to Mayor Amer Ghalib for comment, who also did not respond. After Trump became president, he nominated Ghalib to be the next ambassador to Kuwait.
Ghalib is still waiting for confirmation to that post by the U.S. Senate.
Although Ghalib did not comment, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud posted this comment on Facebook:
“Donald Trump’s decision to bomb Iran is not just reckless — it’s lawless, dangerous, and a disgraceful betrayal of the American people.
“This isn’t leadership. It’s a desperate act by a failed president trying to ignite war to cover up his own incompetence. Once again, he’s choosing foreign warmongers over the will of the American people. Once again, he’s putting lives at risk for ego, headlines, and political distraction.
“America is not safer. Our families are not more secure. Our future is not brighter. What Trump has done is put us on the path to more bloodshed, more chaos, and more suffering — all while our people struggle for basic dignity here at home.
“This is not strength. Donald Trump is a coward hiding behind bombs.
“Enough with the forever wars. Enough with using our military to serve corrupt agendas. Congress must step in. The people must speak out. And, when history asks who stood on the side of peace and justice, let our answer be clear and unapologetic.”
Posted June 27, 2025