As a lifelong resident of metropolitan Detroit and a Jewish person, I am deeply troubled by the decision of home improvement giant Lowe’s to abruptly pull its advertising from the TLC reality TV show “All-American Muslim.”

Regardless of race or religion, all Americans should condemn this blatant bigotry by Lowe’s. This unfortunate reaction to a pressure group, the Florida Family Association, reminds of the nativism, fear and prejudice against others that rears its head periodically.

This show portrays family values. It also helps present our area to a national audience in a more positive light, which is always welcome. Knowledge and familiarity break down bigotry, and that is one of the show’s intents.

America is great, in large part, because of the waves of immigration to our shores, which continue to this day. We are a rich, diverse population that has, and should, welcome contributions from all people. One of these groups is Muslim Americans escaping persecution from the same Mideast countries we see and read about daily in the media.

As a professional in communications, I experience firsthand the contributions that Muslim Americans make to the vitality of our region. Like many immigrant groups before them, first generation Muslim Americans may be small-business owners or work for others. Many of the next generation go on to become teachers, doctors, career professionals or entrepreneurs. It’s called the American Dream.

In Dearborn, the Muslim-American population has enhanced the city’s tax base and quality of life through home ownership, attentiveness to their children’s education and heritage, professional affairs and business growth — just what our entire region aspires to in these difficult times.

Of course, many of those homes and businesses were likely built, restored or outfitted with merchandise purchased from Lowe’s.

Instead of rewarding intolerance, as Lowe’s has, we should work with all groups in our society. We can restore this region’s once-great productivity while achieving a much-needed improved sense of harmony.

By: Mike Layne, West Bloomfield

Published first in the Detroit Free Press