Abdullah Hammoud's election as the first Muslim mayor of Dearborn was a watershed moment for this city, an automaking hub home to the highest concentration of Arab-Americans in the United States.

But while his early focus was on upgrading sewer infrastructure and investing in parks, he has now been thrust into the national spotlight for his outspoken criticism of fellow Democrat Joe Biden, over the president's support for Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

"I'll be the first to say that we don't want to see (Donald) Trump reelected to the White House," Hammoud told AFP in an interview. "But people want to be inspired to come out."

Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit famous as the birthplace of Henry Ford and home of the Ford Motor Company's headquarters, has a population of around 110,000 residents, of whom 55 percent claim Middle Eastern or North African heritage.

In 2020, Dearborn voters overwhelmingly supported Biden and their ballots could tip the scales in Michigan -- a crucial swing state that may ultimately decide the White House winner in November's election.

Hammoud's profile surged in January after he declined an invitation to meet with Biden campaign officials seeking to shore up the........

© Al Monitor