DEARBORN, Mich. — A newly filed federal lawsuit accuses the City of Dearborn of favoring Islam by spending public money on Ramadan decorations while failing to provide comparable recognition for Christian and Jewish holidays.
But city spending records provide additional context to those allegations, showing Dearborn has spent substantially more on Christmas and broader holiday-related decorations and programming than on Ramadan displays.
Records show the city spent nearly $300,000 on Christmas and holiday-related items during a single year, compared with approximately $6,860 on Ramadan-related decorations over several years.
Based on those figures, the Christmas and holiday-related expenditures were more than 40 times the amount identified for Ramadan decorations.
The spending records are significant because the federal lawsuit filed Sept. 17 by Dearborn resident Margot Cleveland against the city and Mayor Abdullah Hammoud alleges that city officials used public money and property to recognize the Islamic holy month of Ramadan while denying comparable recognition to Christian and Jewish religious observances.
The American Freedom Law Center filed the civil rights lawsuit on Cleveland's behalf in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The complaint alleges violations of the First and 14th Amendments and claims Cleveland faced retaliation after raising concerns about the city's practices.
According to the complaint, Dearborn spent about $1,500 on "Ramadan Kareem" banners and approximately $5,000 on a large illuminated crescent moon displayed on public property. The lawsuit also points to Ramadan-themed displays installed in subsequent years.
Cleveland contends she contacted city officials seeking comparable recognition for Christian and Jewish observances, including Easter and Passover, and did not receive the treatment she requested. The lawsuit argues the city's actions amount to unconstitutional religious favoritism.
Dearborn disputes the broader characterization that it discriminates among religions. The city has said it remains committed to treating residents equally and has described Dearborn as a diverse and welcoming community.
Public records and city activities also show Dearborn has recognized Christmas and other seasonal celebrations.
Dearborn has hosted and promoted Christmas and holiday events, including Christmas tree-lighting activities, holiday performances, Santa-related events and other seasonal programming.
The city's official 2025 holiday schedule included a Christmas tree lighting, Victorian Christmas Open House, Jingle Bell Bash, holiday performances and Skate with Santa, among other events.
Dearborn also installed a 32-foot Christmas tree at PEACE Park West in 2025 and held an official tree-lighting ceremony featuring thousands of lights, entertainment, food and other activities.
Historical records also show Dearborn has budgeted for both holiday and Ramadan lighting, rather than exclusively funding Ramadan displays.
Those records do not necessarily resolve the constitutional questions raised in Cleveland's lawsuit. The case focuses not simply on the total amount of money spent but on whether the city treated religious observances differently and whether Cleveland's requests for comparable recognition were handled in a constitutionally permissible manner.
However, the spending figures provide important context to the allegation that Dearborn has used taxpayer money to promote Islam while failing to provide comparable recognition for Christian holidays.
Based strictly on the expenditures identified in the records, Dearborn's Christmas and broader holiday spending substantially exceeds the amount spent on Ramadan decorations.
The lawsuit remains pending in federal court. Cleveland's allegations have not been proven, and the city will have an opportunity to respond to the claims as the case proceeds.
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