Metro Detroit leaders welcome Iraqi prime minister

After a Monday White House meeting with President Joe Biden, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani traveled to Michigan on Thursday and met with Southeast Michigan political and community leaders.

Michigan has one of the largest populations of Iraqi-Americans in the nation. 

Al-Sudani updated Michiganders on escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s weekend aerial attack on Israel. In western Wayne County, a significant number of residents have pushed back against U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza following the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7. 

“We are honored to welcome Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of Iraq to Wayne County,” said Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. “His visit is particularly significant because Wayne County is home to a vibrant Iraqi-American community. Tens of thousands of Iraqi-Americans have established themselves here, contributing to the thriving local culture and embodying the spirit of the American Dream.”

Along with Evans, state Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) also greeted al-Sudani at Detroit-Metro Airport. 

Wayne County Deputy Executive Assad Turfe also welcomed the al-Sudani visit. 

“His presence underscores the significant contributions of our vibrant Iraqi-American community to our cultural landscape and reaffirms our collective commitment to inclusivity,” Turfe said. 

On Feb. 27, Biden won the Michigan Democratic Primary with 81% of the vote, but about 13% chose to vote uncommitted, with a significant number of those uncommitted votes coming from western Wayne County amid criticism of his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Biden is being challenged by Democrat and author Marianne Williamson, although he has secured enough delegates to win the nomination. Former President Donald Trump is expected to be nominated again by the GOP. Independent Cornel West, Robert Kennedy Jr. of the Natural Law Party and Jill Stein of the Green Party also are running. 

In February, senior Biden administration officials gathered in Dearborn with leaders from the Muslim and Arab-American communities after they repeatedly criticized Biden for the U.S. continuing to back its ally, Israel. Biden said at the time, “We need a ceasefire.” But he has also said such an action “in the hands of Hamas right now” and has called for the organization to release Israeli hostages.

Biden has since been more vocal in his criticism of Israel over casualties in the war.

During an April 4 White House briefing, Biden stated that an “immediate ceasefire is essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians.” Biden also urged Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu “to empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home.”