A recent Detroit Free Press article, titled “Muslim parents upset over flyer promoting church’s Easter egg hunt,” was published on Thursday, April 3. After reading the story, however, one discovers that the “worry” expressed comes from only one Muslim father, Dearborn resident Majed Moughni.
Niraj Warikoo, the article’s author, quoted only one parent, Moughni, but he attributed his opinion to “Muslim parents,” creating drama and conflict to gain readers, because as well know, religious feuds are always a hot topic. Dearborn Muslim social media users overwhelmingly denied being offended by the flyer, which promotes an event at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church.
Manufacturing a conflict like this in Dearborn interfaith community is irresponsible and dangerous. Harmful comments like, “Muslim plead for understanding and acceptance from Christians…but yet can’t or won’t offer the same in return,” were published on the Free Press’ Facebook page, raising negative feelings against the Muslim community, which is already suffering bigotry and discrimination.

Warikoo tried to hide his shortcomings, sensationalism and unprofessionalism by changing one word in the headline from “parents” to “parent” on Friday. However, by then, thousands of people had read the story and were under the impression that all Muslims were offended by this flyer, the egg hunt, and, subsequently, other faiths.

Dearborn Patch had already picked up the story and added to its inaccuracy by stating that “[t]he parents said the incident is deepening their concerns churches are using the school district to convert their children to Christianity.”

What parents?

Even on Moughni’s own “Dearborn Area Community Members” Facebook page, the overwhelming majority of comments were about the absurdity of Moughni’s “concern,” after he and Warikoo made it seem like it was an issue for all Muslim parents.

“You are a joke! A disgrace to our community and disgrace to Muslim religion. It’s bad enough others already have this misconception about us and you choose an egg hunt to attempt to prove a point? You do not represent this community whatsoever,” a user stated on the Facebook page. However, this comment and others criticizing Moughni were deleted by Moughni himself soon after they were posted.

Moughni can delete comments, and Warikoo can change his headline. But what was published is written in ink, unerasable, and affects us all.

The truth is that almost all Muslim parents in Dearborn are not offended at all by the flyer. They are concerned about funding for their children’s schools, education standards and class size, just like all parents.
Moughni was seeking attention, and Warikoo rewarded his efforts, without ever reaching out to other parents, religious leaders, or civil rights groups.

Nobody is rioting. Nobody is angry. In a world where real civil rights issues exist for Arab and Muslim Americans, such actions by Moughni and Warikoo should be denounced clearly.