HAMTRAMCK – A Muslim candidate is trying to make history in mayoral election next Tuesday in Hamtramck city in Michigan, knowns as the US first-Muslim majority city.
“This used to be a ghost town here,” Councilman Mohammed Hassan told Detroit Free Press on Sunday, pointing to the commercial street outside Aladdin Sweets & Cafe that is filled with businesses owned by Bangladeshi immigrants.
Today, “there’s not even one store empty.”
Bangladeshi-Americans like Hassan and other Muslim groups in Hamtramck say they’ve helped revitalize the aging city historically known as a center of Polish Catholic life.
About 44 percent of the city are immigrants, the highest percentage of any city in Michigan.
Almost 28 percent of the city is of Asian descent, most of them with roots in Bangladesh, more than 24% is Arab, most of them Yemeni, 15 percent are African-American, and 1% Hispanic, according to the US Census.
A city councilman for 8 years and a mechanical engineer with math degrees, Hassan said he has the skills to cut spending, by merging police and fire services.
“She’s a good lady, but not a good administrator,” Hassan said referring to incumbent Mayor Karen Majewski, who is running for her 4th term.
“What did you get in 16 years from Karen? … Try the guy who has all kinds of degrees, experience, and 8 years of council experience. Let’s try him one time and see how it goes.”
In a city with a Muslim-majority council, Hassan said that climate may make some Muslim voters reluctant to elect a mayor who is Muslim because they fear it could lead to making the city a target of hate.
“Some of them say …haters are going to be targeting” us, Hassan said, describing concerns he said he’s heard. Some Muslims fear, said Hassan, “if we elect Hassan … crazy people” may target the city.
Voices opposing Hassan’s election proved that his fears may be legitimate.
“He’s not running for mayor of Hamtramck, he’s running for mayor of Banglatown,” said Robert Zwolak, a former Hamtramck city councilman who supports Majewski, using a term to describe the heavily-Bangladeshi parts of Hamtramck.
Others supported him, saying it is time for a change.
“I think he will do some positive in our community,” said Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem Anam Miah.
“It’s time for a different strategy, a different way of doing business and attracting business. Bringing in new revenue for our community. It’s time Hassan be given that opportunity to prove himself and try something different.”