Republican gubernatorial candidate Anthony Hudson visited three mosques in Dearborn Heights on Friday, telling community members that after spending 72 hours in Dearborn, he found no evidence of “Sharia law” and acknowledged that his earlier comments were based on misinformation.

The visit marked a notable shift in tone for Hudson, who had faced mounting criticism from Arab American and Muslim leaders in recent weeks.

Hudson told attendees that the city had been unfairly portrayed in national media and that many of the narratives circulating about Dearborn are “false and misleading.”

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He praised residents for their hospitality and said his time in the city gave him a clearer understanding of the community.

“After spending 72 hours in Dearborn, I found no evidence of Sharia law,” he said, adding that his previous statements were not grounded in accurate information.

During his remarks, Hudson apologised for suggesting that Dearborn was governed by religious law, saying he now believes those claims were inaccurate.

He also condemned a separate individual who had threatened to burn a Quran in the city, calling the act disrespectful and harmful.

The visit follows weeks of backlash from local leaders who said Hudson’s earlier comments misrepresented Dearborn and contributed to rising tensions.

His decision to meet directly with community members at the mosque appeared aimed at easing those concerns and signalling a willingness to reset his relationship with the city’s sizeable Muslim population.

Hudson said that his planned Nov. 18 event in Dearborn — originally promoted as a demonstration against “Sharia law” — will undergo a significant shift in tone and purpose.

Instead of focusing on the controversial theme, he said the gathering would be reframed as a peaceful event centered on unity, dialogue, and “bringing people together.”

He emphasised that his updated messaging reflects what he learned during his visit and from meeting directly with residents.

Community members at the mosque listened as Hudson expressed hopes that the outreach could mark a new chapter in his engagement with Dearborn.

Hudson also noted that he wants to continue learning from communities across Michigan in order to better understand the state’s diverse population.

As Hudson left the mosque, he said he hoped his remarks — including his apology and acknowledgment of misinformation — would help de-escalate tensions and encourage more constructive conversations moving forward.