Hamtramck, Mich., has become the first U.S. city to elect a Muslim-majority city council. Residents of the town elected Anam Miah, Abu Musa and newcomer Saad Almasmari to the council where they joined Mohammed Hassan, whose seat was not up for re-election.
Saad Almasmari drew the maximum number of votes, reports the Detroit Free Press.
"Although we are Muslims, we're going to work for everybody and represent everybody in the Hamtramck city, regardless of their religion, ethnicity or color of skin. The Polish are only 11 percent of the population and Yemeni people are 27 percent. If you add the Bengali people, that's going to end up with 62 percent, which is the most of any Muslim communities," Almasmari told 7 Action News.
Once a Polish stronghold, Hamtramck has become home to immigrants from the Middle East, South Asia and Southeastern Europe over the past few decades.
"We are very proud and we are very happy for that achievement, what we have done in this city, for our city," said voter Jamal Alturki, according to Click on Detroit.
"I think that sends a message not only to Hamtramck but throughout the region that people want their representation in offices," Miah said. Musa added, "My concern is to give the people, everybody, equal opportunity and be fair for everybody. Almasmari said, "We are going to represent everybody. We are going to serve everybody, Christians, Jewish, Muslims, everybody," reports Click on Detroit.
