Dearborn: Satirical website says city adopts Shariah law; city officials fuming

A satirical website, nationalreport.net, posted a fake story last weekend saying that the Dearborn City Council voted 4-3 to “officially implement all aspects” of Shariah, or Islamic, law.

City officials aren’t laughing.

In fact, they’re downright upset because some people actually thought the story was real, despite the website’s outlandish headlines, and contacted them to see whether it was true.

The contacts have come from not only across the region, but across the country.

“Dearborn has never been, nor ever will be, under Shariah law,” Mayor Jack O’Reilly said. “We are governed by the U.S. Constitution, the constitution of the state of Michigan and the city of Dearborn charter.”

Roughly 30 percent of Dearborn’s more than 97,000 residents are of Arab descent. Many are Muslim.

The fake story said “the tough new law” would go into effect Jan. 1.

“The new law could see citizens stoned for adultery or having a limb amputated for theft,” the fake story said. “Lesser offenses, such as drinking alcohol or abortion, could result in flogging and/or caning. In addition the law imposes harsh laws with regards to women and allows for child marriage.”

The fake story also called Dearborn “a well-known safe haven for Muslims and Muslim sympathizers.”

“The National Report’s misguided attempt at humor furthers the goals of some people who have tried to suggest that the city of Dearborn is anti-American because our population includes residents who are Muslim,” O’Reilly said.

“The National Report is not a news site, but is only pretending to be one. Its purpose is entertainment. In this case, its outrageous story, with no basis in fact, has ended up fooling people in part because it mirrors allegations made by others in the past with less-than-humorous intentions.

“One unique aspect of our community is the strong working relationship that exists among our diverse faith leaders, who foster understanding and tolerance.”

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