The Local Media Of Dearborn, Michigan Openly Mourns Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah And His Successor Hashem Safieddine In Its Extensive, Laudatory Coverage Of Their Funeral – Reflecting Dearborn's Longstanding Outspoken Support For The Designated Terror Group

Local media outlets of Dearborn, Michigan published extensive coverage of the February 23rd, 2025 Beirut funeral procession and memorial ceremony for Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of the Designated Terror Organization Lebanese Hizbullah. and of his successor, Hashem Safieddine. The men were killed in an Israeli airstrike in September 2024. The outletsDearborn.org, Dearbornmedia.org, and the Arabic-language site BintJbeil.org, shared articles and videos.

Dearborn, the jihad capital of America,  has a long history of public support Hizbullah, an Iranian proxy militia, regularly mourning its slain fighters and referring to them as "martyrs." These very public memorials and commemorations are regularly covered by a local news outlet which publishes articles photos, graphics, and videos about funerals for these "martyrs" in southern Lebanon and about memorial services that are held for them in Dearborn. Local media often ignores and covers up extremist Islamist statements and use of terror symbols by Dearborn activists. Dearborn also marks International Al-Quds [Jerusalem] Day, established by the father of Iran's Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1979, in annual public events over the past 15 years, which entail calls for Israel's annihilation, espousing antisemitic conspiracy theories, and chants of "Death to America." In November 2023 Dearborn held a rally celebrating Hamas for its October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians.

The reactions to coverage of the funeral highlights the emotional impact of the terror leaders' deaths on the Shi'a community in Dearborn. The local outlets serve as news hubs connecting the Shi'a-Muslim community in Dearborn with their relatives in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon. The media outlets frequently publish statements and developments related to Hizbullah, the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), and Hamas – the groups it often labels as "the resistance." Dearborn.org and BintJbeil.org also routinely publish articles and videos featuring funeral processions and memorial services for slain Hizbullah fighters, particularly in Bint Jbeil, South Lebanon, as well as at Cultural Centers in Dearborn.
 

Michigan Imam Hassan Qazwini In Dearborn Heights Friday Sermon: The Martyrdom Of Hizbullah Leader Nasrallah Is Fuel For The Resistance Against Tyrannical Israel; We Are Not Defeated; Thousands Will Join The Fight And Victory Will Follow

Imam Hassan Qazwini said in his February 21, 2025 Friday sermon at the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights, Michigan that Israel has eliminated the life of Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah, but it could not and cannot eliminate his spirit, his message, or his goal. He asserted that the assassination of Nasrallah will, in fact, turn into fuel for the resistance against Israel, which he called "this tyrannical enemy." Qazwini warned his listeners, in Michigan and in Lebanon, against thinking that they have been broken or defeated, adding: "Victory will follow."

Qazwini, an Iraqi-born Shi'ite Islamic scholar is an imam of the Islamic Institute of America, which held a memorial for Nasrallah on September 29, 2024. Hassan Qazwini is an active supporter of Michigan Democratic politicians, who often appear in fundraisers for the Islamic center (See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 11330 Michigan Imam Hassan Qazwini – An Active Supporter Of Michigan Democratic Politicians – Has Claimed That ISIS Is Arm Of Zionism, Praised Houthis, And Endorsed Bernie Sanders 'Even Though He Is A Jew'; He Says: 'If There Were Justice In This Country,' Members Of Congress Who Voted For House Antisemitism Awareness Bill 'Would Be Indicted And Convicted of Treason' – They Do Not Represent The American People And Are Israel's Stooges). In March 2024 guests at the annual fundraiser for the Islamic Institute of America included Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and Dearborn Mayor Abdallah Hamoud, while in 2022, Governor Gretchen Whitmer was a guest speaker.

To view the clip, click here.

 

Coverage Of Preparations For Nasrallah And Safieddine's Funeral Procession

On February 21, 2025, the Dearborn Area Community Members page announced on Facebook that Lebanon was preparing for the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah. The funeral announcement post received more than 500 reactions and nearly 300 comments from the Dearborn community. Statements such as: "May your souls rest in peace" and "They will live forever in our hearts," were common. Others glorified Nasrallah's role as a militant leader, framing him as a martyr and hero. One comment read: "The earth has lost you, our dear master, and the sky has gained you along with your grandfather Imam Hussein." Another read: "Resistant mujahid leader, our eyes are crying over your departure."[1]

The Facebook post by "Dearborn Area Community Members" featured a picture of Nasrallah and Safieddine smiling together on a large banner in Lebanon.[2] Comments online highlighted the emotional impact of their passing on the Shi'a community in Dearborn.

On February 22, Dearborn.org reported that a group of Tunisians was reported to be en route to Beirut, via Turkey, to attend the funeral.[3] That same day, Dearborn.org reported on a large funeral procession for Hizbullah fighters taking place in Ainata, Lebanon.[4] The outlet later also reported on large crowds that were gathering late into the night in Beirut to attend Nasrallah's funeral.[5]

Dearborn.org highlights the mobilization of Hizbullah supporters in different cities within Lebanon, as well as the transnational reach of Hizbullah's influence and its ability to attract sympathizers from beyond Lebanon's borders.[6]

Similarly, Dearbornmedia.org posted an article on Facebook and on its own website reporting on the atmosphere around the airport road in Beirut before the funeral commemorations.[7]

Dearborn.org's article reporting on the atmosphere of the airport road in Beirut before Nasrallah's and Safieddine's funeral commemorations.[8]

Then Dearborn.org and NewBintjbeil.org posted a series of reels showcasing the crowds making their way into the city.[9]

Coverage Of The Day Of The Funeral

On February 23, 2025, the Dearborn Area Community Members page on Facebook reposted a video from Hizbullah's al-Manar TV channel featuring large crowds attending the funeral in Beirut. A song played in the background whose lyrics were: "We are the winners of martyrdom." The post reported that an estimated 1.4 million people were participating in the funeral proceedings.[10]

Dearbornmedia.org provided extensive footage of the funeral, recording an eight-hour live broadcast from Beirut's Sports City Stadium, where the ceremony took place.[11] The post received dozens of comments, many of which thanked Nasrallah for his "leadership, love, and service."

An eight-hour live broadcast of Nasrallah's funeral was uploaded by Dearborn.org. In the comments section, one user wrote: "Oh Allah, accept from us the most precious thing we own, the most precious thing that we adore and love, our master and beloved."

Dearbornmedia.org aired the same eight-hour live broadcast of the funeral.[12]

During its live coverage, Dearborn.org also announced to the community the beginning of Sheikh Naim Qassem's speech commemorating the two martyrs.[13] In a separate post, it provided excerpts of the address, where the new Secretary-General of Hizbullah expressed condolences to the families of Nasrallah and Safieddine, praised the resilience of Hizbullah's supporters and reaffirmed the group's commitment to its confrontational stance and militant agenda against Israel.[14] Dearborn.org reported that an estimated 1.4 million people participated in the funeral procession, stressing Hizbullah's ability to mobilize supporters.[15]

Another joint post by the two organizations featured a video showcasing the large crowds on Qassem Soleimani's street who had gathered to pay their respects.[16]

Later, Dearborn.org and NewBintJbeil.org again shared a video, showing the Nasrallah's coffin beginning its journey to the burial site. The video was captioned, "The moment the blessed coffin of the nation's martyr, Seyyed Nasr0llah [sic], began to be transported to be buried." [17]

Prominent Shi'a clerics in the Dearborn community also expressed their condolences to their followers on Facebook. Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, from the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights, described the funeral as an "indescribable day" in Lebanon's history, and "A day of victory for morality, truth, justice, and humanity." Blending sorrow with celebration, Elahi emphasized on the international attention the event received, and how people had reported feeling the presence of "Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, Ali and Hussein" during the event. Elahi further noted how for the people of Lebanon, Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Safieddine "were not merely political leaders but sacred figures—deeply rooted in the nation's soul, emotions, intellect, and history of struggle and resistance." Lastly, he explained this was the reason why many among the 1.4 million attendees "sought to touch the caskets of the martyrs, desperate to receive a final blessing."[18]

In turn, the Shi'a Islamic institute "Light of Guidance," led by Sheikh Usama Abdulghani, shared a message from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, honoring the martyrs and reaffirming the commitment of the resistance to its goals.[19]

Other well-known figures from the Dearborn community also provided platforms for the Shi'a community in Dearborn to express similar sentiments. For instance, when Dearborn-based journalist Osama Siblani posted a picture of the stadium where Nasrallah's funeral ceremony was held, many individuals commented in support, wishing Nasrallah to be welcomed in the highest level of Paradise (al-Firdaus), calling him a "Father" to the Lebanese, and congratulating him for paving the way for many leaders like him to rise.[20]

Coverage Of The Aftermath Of The Funeral

The funeral proceedings continued on February 24, with both NewBintJbeil.org and Dearbornmedia.org sharing a video of the funeral procession of Hashem Safieddine arriving at his hometown of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, highlighting the continued mobilization of Hizbullah supporters.[21] 

Both Dearbornmedia.org and NewBintJbeil.org also posted a one-hour special coverage of Safieddine's funeral at Deir Qanoun, describing it as "majestic," and highlighting the participation of both national and Hizbullah delegations.[22]

Later, both NewBintJbeil.org and Dearbornmedia.org also covered the moment when the body of Hashem Safieddine arrived at the Husseiniya of Deir Qanoun.[23] The two outlets also posted photos of mourners gathered in front of Nasrallah's shrine.[24] 

Finally, on February 25, Dearborn.org published an article reporting on the gathering that was held in New York City to commemorate the assassination of Nasrallah and Safieddine. The article described approximately 150 anti-Israel protesters in Washington Square Park in lower Manhattan, attending a vigil commemorating the assassination of the former Hizbullah Secretary-Generals. The reporting highlighted how, during the event, participants had raised photos of the martyrs along with the Hizbullah flag. [25]

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