This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The backlash was immediate and intense when reports surfaced that the police department in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, which has a large population of Muslims, had gone for "unity" with a new Arabic-language patch for officers to wear.
It states, "Dearborn Heights Police," in Arabic.
So after an interval of only two days, Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi went to social media to backtrack.
"On Wednesday, September 3rd, information was disseminated from the Dearborn Heights Police Department regarding a digital mock-up of the DHPD patch bearing the department name translated in Arabic script," his Facebook post said. "The design mock-up idea showed the words 'Dearborn Heights Police' in Arabic and was said to be optional. The patch effort was an internal discussion among some within the police department which was not put forth for consensus or further review."
But, he said, "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. As we are one PD, each individual's uniform represents the DHPD as a whole, and therefore merits the review and input of all. At this time, this patch addition remains an idea and should NOT have been presented as an official prototype."
Dearborn Heights has a population of around 39% Middle Eastern or North African as of the most recent census, but triggered Republican Congressman Randy Fine with its announcement. He called it an example of "Sharia Law" coming to Michigan.
The Daily Mail reported, "Dearborn was dubbed the U.S. 'Jihad Capital' by The Wall Street Journal and made headlines last year when protesters at a pro-Palestine rally chanted 'death to America.'"
Fine, of Florida, said, "They said their goal was to bring sharia law to America. You should've believed them. Pray for Michigan."
