Warren, Michigan residents say 'they'll turn anything into a mosque' as town fears becoming the next Dearborn

From the Newshound archive · first published 20 September 2026 · last updated 22 September 2026.

Justin Tye, 57, gave a guided tour of Warren, Michigan, where a Lutheran church that stood for over 80 years has been converted into the Al Ihsaan Islamic Center, sparking fury among longtime residents who say their neighbourhood is unrecognisable. Residents complain of unannounced amplified prayers, hundreds of worshippers blocking driveways and parking on lawns, with five mosques now operating within a few miles of Tye's home. The town's working-class community fears Warren is on course to mirror nearby Dearborn, already dubbed America's first Muslim city.

Warren City Council previously rejected a bid to convert a residential home into a mosque after a bitter planning battle with local residents.

Dearborn is itself facing a federal lawsuit filed by journalist Margot Cleveland, alleging Mayor Abdullah Hammoud spent taxpayer funds on Ramadan decorations while refusing equal recognition for Easter and Passover.

Hammoud reportedly told one Christian resident he was 'not welcome' in Dearborn — a remark now cited in the lawsuit as evidence of unconstitutional religious discrimination.