DEARBORN – U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI 15) and State Representative George T. Darany(Dearborn) today said that they wanted to add their voices to the many other groups and individuals who were disheartened with decisions to pull advertisements from the TLC reality show “All-American Muslim.” Dingell and Darany join their fellow Dearborn community members in rejecting any intolerance directed toward their friends and neighbors.
“I’m disappointed by the shortsightedness of corporations who made a decision based on extreme fundamental groups,” said Dingell. “It is unfair to simply discriminate against a group, a group which I can say first hand is just as patriotic as every other American. It is unfortunate that they dismissed understanding the indispensable contributions Arab-Americans have made to the success and well-being of not only Southeast Michigan but also to our wonderfully diverse country.”
“All-American Muslim” is a reality TV show that follows the lives of five Muslim families in Dearborn. Home improvement store Lowe’s decided to pull the advertisements from the show after the Florida Family Association, a group based out of Tampa, Fla., contacted the company and asked them to do so.
“As a longtime Dearborn resident, I know firsthand how important the Muslim community is to the City of Dearborn,” Darany said. “They have contributed greatly to the success and well-being of our hometown and it is very disappointing that a business would give any sort of standing to a group that bases their claims on misunderstanding. However, it has been encouraging to see so many individuals throughout, not only Southeast Michigan, but the entire nation, come together to stand up against outsider attempts to mislead and create fear surrounding our Muslim neighbors. This unfounded bias should not be tolerated and in order to move forward, we need to work together despite our differences.”