Iraqi leader to hold town hall meeting with Michigan’s Middle Eastern community to address rising tensions

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is set to visit Michigan on Thursday to meet with the state’s large Iraqi community and provide updates on escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s recent aerial assault on Israel. This visit comes after a meeting with President Joe Biden in Washington to discuss U.S.-Iraq relations.

Michigan is home to one of the largest populations of Iraqis in the nation, with over 90,000 residents of Iraqi descent. The state also boasts the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the country, particularly in Wayne County, where 7.8% of residents identify as having Middle Eastern and North African ancestry.

During his visit to Michigan, al-Sudani will be greeted by local leaders, including Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, and will visit a mosque in Dearborn Heights to engage with Iraqi community members and officials. The prime minister is expected to discuss economic relations between Iraq and the U.S. during these meetings.

The recent tensions in the Middle East have raised concerns about the viability of the American military presence in Iraq, with fears of the conflict expanding. However, U.S. forces, along with Israeli efforts, were able to intercept and destroy dozens of missiles and drones launched by Iran-backed groups. This has led to discussions about preventing further escalation and maintaining stability in the region.

Overall, al-Sudani’s visit to Michigan highlights the importance of engaging with the Iraqi community in the state and addressing the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. It also underscores the significance of Michigan as a hub for Arab American culture and relations with the Middle East.