A proposed police uniform patch featuring Arabic script has sparked controversy in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, after the city’s police department briefly shared a mock-up image of the design on social media before quickly taking it down.
The patch, which displayed the department’s name in both English and Arabic, was described as an effort to “celebrate the rich cultures that make our city unique,” according to the original post. However, the image drew immediate criticism from some conservative commentators and political figures who claimed the design reflected an attempt to introduce Islamic influence into American institutions.
“Their goal was to bring Sharia law to America. You should’ve believed them. Pray for Michigan,” wrote Republican Congressman Randy Fine on X (formerly Twitter). Conservative media figures including Laura Loomer and Charlie Kirk also condemned the design, with Loomer claiming, “Muslims have invaded America,” and Kirk asserting, “When you get conquered, you get a new language.”
In response to the backlash, the city’s mayor, Bill Bazzi, clarified that the patch was never approved for official use. “The design mock-up idea showed the words ‘Dearborn Heights Police’ in Arabic and was said to be optional,” Bazzi said in a statement. “This patch effort was an internal discussion among some within the police department which was not put forth for consensus or further review. It should not have been presented as an official prototype.”
Dearborn Heights, located just west of Detroit, is home to a sizable Arab American population. According to the latest U.S. Census data, nearly 39% of its residents identify as being of Middle Eastern or North African descent. In neighboring Dearborn, the population is approximately 55%, and the city is also home to the Islamic Center of America — the largest mosque in the United States.
The incident comes amid ongoing national debates over cultural representation, religious freedom, and Islamophobia. Last year, Dearborn was controversially labeled the “Jihad Capital” of the U.S. in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, a characterization that was widely criticized as inflammatory.