Arab-American leaders are urging residents not to be afraid to voice their feelings about Mideast violence, despite a letter sent to city households that urged Muslims to "go back to Lebanon."

"We are Americans first and we should not let (some) differences be a reason for any form of hatred to exist among us," said Imad Hamad, regional director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).

"It comes as no surprise to us. It's unfortunate and a sad reality that every time there is a hostile situation, this is something that comes as a part of the typical negative backlash. Unfortunately some people use this as a way to silence people so they don't speak their mind."

On Monday, the ADC received several phone calls in response to the letter mailed to residents in Dearborn. The letter in part read, "The only way for the West to survive is to limit the immigration of Muslims. Your kind is not wanted in this country, this state, our city of Dearborn and this neighborhood."

The civil rights organization said it also received a newspaper clipping and a voicemail, both of which expressed Muslim residents should return to Lebanon. [Link]