Michigan Mayor Backtracks on Historic Arabic Police Patch After Conservative Firestorm
Dearborn Heights Police Department's First-in-Nation Bilingual Patch Withdrawn Following MAGA Social Media Uproar
Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi on Friday retracted his police department's proposal for the nation's first police patch featuring Arabic script after facing intense backlash from conservative activists and politicians, including accusations of implementing "Sharia law in America." The optional patch, designed by Officer Emily Murdoch to reflect the city's 39% Arab American population, was described as a "mock-up idea" that should never have been publicly revealed, according to a report by HuffPost.
The controversy erupted just two days after the Dearborn Heights Police Department proudly announced the bilingual patch on Facebook, which featured "Dearborn Heights Police" written in both English and Arabic around the Michigan state seal.
Officer's Design Sparks National Controversy
Officer Emily Murdoch created the patch as a way to honor the diversity of Dearborn Heights. In this Detroit suburb, nearly 40% of residents identify as Middle Eastern or North African, according to census data. The department's original Facebook post, which has since been deleted, praised Murdoch's "creativity and dedication in helping our department better represent the people we serve".
"By incorporating Arabic script alongside English, this patch represents unity, respect, and our shared commitment to service," the department wrote in its now-deleted post.
The optional nature of the patch meant officers could choose whether to wear it as part of their uniform. Police Chief Ahmed Haidar confirmed to The Arab American News that the patch was still in planning and discussion stages within the department.
Right-Wing Firestorm Ignites Social Media
Conservative activists and politicians quickly seized on the patch announcement, launching a coordinated attack that included anti-Muslim rhetoric and unfounded claims about religious law. Right-wing activist Laura Loomer led the charge on social media platform X, declaring the patch represented "Sharia Law in America".
"Muslims have invaded America and now they are taking over. They must be stopped," Loomer wrote on X.
Republican Representative Randy Fine of Florida escalated the rhetoric further, posting: "They said their goal was to bring sharia law to America. You should've believed them. Pray for Michigan". Fine's response came despite the patch containing no religious content whatsoever.
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk added to the inflammatory discourse, writing, "When you get conquered, you get a new language." Conservative activist Brigitte Gabriel declared, "The civilization takeover has begun".
Internal Police Department Tensions Surface
The controversy exposed significant tensions within the Dearborn Heights Police Department itself. The Dearborn Heights Police Officers Association criticized Chief Haidar's decision to release the patch photos, calling it "reckless" and noting it sparked "countless threats and criticism to the department from around the country".
According to the association's statement, the patch was initially intended only to commemorate Ramadan, but the chief expanded its use to year-round before making the announcement public. The association expressed displeasure with the "proposed sudden change" and the lack of proper consultation.
"The police chief told everyone that they could choose to wear the patch year-round, before making news of the patch public," the association stated.
Mayor's Swift Retreat Under Pressure
Faced with mounting criticism, Mayor Bazzi—a Trump supporter nominated by the president to serve as U.S. ambassador to Tunisia—quickly distanced himself from the initiative. In a Friday statement, Bazzi claimed the patch design was leaked and should never have been released without proper approval.
"Should efforts like this be formally undertaken to make any changes to the Police uniform, it is our goal to include multiple PD stakeholders for a larger conversation, to ensure all are included in the discussion," Bazzi said.
The mayor emphasized that as "one PD, each individual's uniform represents the DHPD as a whole, and therefore merits the review and input of all".” Bazzi also stressed that the patch "remains an idea and should NOT have been presented as an official prototype".
Community Demographics Drive Initiative
The patch proposal reflected the significant Arab American population of Dearborn Heights. With approximately 61,000 residents, the city has 39% of residents of North African or Middle Eastern descent, according to local news reports. The neighboring city of Dearborn has an even higher percentage at 55%.
This demographic reality has long influenced local governance and community relations. The police department noted that the patch represented another way to "celebrate the rich cultures that make our city unique".
Despite the controversy, supporters argued the initiative represented genuine community policing efforts. The department had previously launched the city's first Youth Explorers Program and hosted its largest-ever National Night Out event, according to Mayor Bazzi.
Broader Implications for Community Relations
The rapid reversal of the Arabic patch proposal underscores the challenges faced by diverse communities in balancing representation with political pressures. The controversy primarily centered on the visual representation of Arabic script, with critics drawing unfounded connections to Islamic law despite the patch's secular nature.
The incident reflects broader tensions within American communities about multiculturalism, immigration, and religious diversity. As Dearborn Heights grapples with the aftermath, the episode serves as a case study in how local initiatives can become national flashpoints in an increasingly polarized political environment.
The withdrawal of the patch proposal leaves questions about whether similar diversity initiatives in other municipalities might face comparable resistance, potentially chilling efforts to represent diverse communities in official government symbols and communications.