DEARBORN – Abdullah Hammoud, a Democratic candidate in the 15th District State Representative race, said he received
an unlabeled envelope over Valentine’s Day weekend containing his campaign
mailer, ripped and defaced with the words “No More Arabs” and “Go Back To
Lebanon.”

His campaign mailer was sent to thousands of Dearborn residents
last month. Hammoud believes the hateful words are not representative of the
greater Dearborn community. He considers such rhetoric to be a product of the
misleading portrayals of Arabs and Muslims in the media and, more recently, a
contested presidential race.

“Given that it is an important election year, Republican
presidential candidates have made anti-Arab and anti-Muslim comments as a means
to attract voters and dollars,” said Hammoud.

Hammoud.

Hammoud said he is not discouraged by the incident and is
continuing his campaign.

“Every American has the right to run for public office and
should not be cast aside because of a component of their identity, whether it
be race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, and/or sexual orientation,” Hammoud
said. “Yes, I am Arab and I am Muslim, but I’m also a proud American who has
always called Dearborn, Michigan home.”

Hammoud filed a police report for precautionary measures.