Only Muslim-majority town in U.S. bans Pride flags on public property

The all-Muslim city council in Hamtramck, Mich., unanimously voted to not allow flags representing "any religious, ethnic, racial, political, or sexual orientation" to be flown on public property in a move that will prohibit the display of LGBTQ Pride flags on city-owned grounds.

The city council voted Tuesday in favor of the "Resolution to Maintain and Confirm the Neutrality of the City of Hamtramck Towards its Residents." Hamtramck, located outside of Detroit, is the only city in the United States to have a Muslim-majority population and all Muslims on its legislative body.

The resolution also states that it in no way infringes upon or restricts freedom of speech but says that allowing minority or political groups to fly flags could "open the door for radical or racist groups to ask for their flags to be flown." 

The only flags that will be able to be flown on public properties in the city are the American flag, Michigan's state flag, the Hamtramck flag, the Prisoner of War flag and the flags of other nations.

Council member Nayeem Choudhury said during the meeting to pass the resolution that LGBTQ residents are "welcome," but said, "Why do you have to have the flag shown on government property to be represented? You’re already represented. We already know who you are," according to The Associated Press.

More Muslims are partnering with Christians to speak out on LGBTQ issues. For example, last fall, Muslim and Christian parents in Michigan spoke at a school board meeting against LGBTQ books in classrooms.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.