Inauguration Prayer Leader Claims Christians Fear Speaking Openly in Dearborn

Lorenzo Sewell, senior pastor of 180 Church in Detroit who offered a prayer during President Donald Trump’s inauguration, told Fox News Digital on Monday that Christian residents in Dearborn have privately expressed fear about openly practicing their faith in the Muslim-majority city. Sewell further contended that local government officials extend preferential treatment to Muslim residents while enforcing a “two-tiered justice system” against other groups.

Sewell pointed to his experience as a Black man familiar with Dearborn’s law enforcement to support his allegations. He claimed police effectively enforce the law against Black residents but ignore assaults involving other populations, arguing this disparity demonstrates unequal treatment. The pastor also stated that city officials fail to challenge what he characterizes as Sharia law practices rather than actively opposing them.

Sewell gained attention following remarks at a Dearborn town hall where he declared the city operates under Sharia law rather than American legal principles. His comments came after attending the “Christian Crusader March” led by conservative activist Jake Lang near a city council meeting, which resulted in 22 arrests according to CBS News reporting last Wednesday.

Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin responded by stating officers managed a “challenging and rapidly evolving situation with the professionalism this community expects,” protecting constitutional rights while allowing city business to proceed.

Sewell raised concerns about specific practices including animal sacrifice permitted in neighboring Hamtramck since January 2023, the use of halal-certified meat in public schools, and the amplification of Islamic call to prayer in the community. He argued these represent government endorsement of Islamic practices inconsistent with equal treatment of all faiths in a Christian-majority nation.

Dearborn Public Schools confirmed its website states all meats served are “certified Halal,” with certification from an Islamic organization inspecting processing facilities. The school district’s policy reflects compliance with Islamic dietary standards for its student population.

Sewell claimed Christians have approached him expressing fear about public association with him or open discussion of their faith. He emphasized the contradiction of Christians feeling unsafe expressing religious beliefs in a nation founded on Christian principles.

Dearborn City Council President Mike Sareini directly disputed Sewell’s claims, stating the city operates under the U.S. Constitution, Michigan law, and the Dearborn Charter with equal application to all residents regardless of religion. Sareini challenged Sewell to provide evidence of preferential treatment and noted Dearborn hosts approximately 30 churches and 10 mosques with interfaith cooperation.

Sareini added that pastors from throughout Dearborn recently held a press conference publicly confirming that residents of different faiths coexist peacefully without the conflict Sewell alleges. Fox News Digital sought comment from Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and police officials but had not received immediate responses.