The 15th annual Arab International Festival is being held this weekend in Dearborn, Mich., where one of the largest Arab-American populations in the United States resides. On Friday four Christian men were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly trying to convert Muslims attending festival events. According to a source I contacted at the festival today, at least two of those arrested have been released. One is a recent convert from Islam who caused controversy at last year’s festival by getting into arguments with Muslims and filming them.

According to this report, “The group was criticized by the city and residents for aggressively putting video cameras in the faces of people at a festival that draws thousands of families.” Another report called it “intense but respectful dialogue” and said the police were catering to the city’s large Muslim population.

Christians increasingly have been drawn to the festival as a way to understand Arab culture, interact with Muslims, and hopefully introduce gospel teaching to those interested. I’ve heard from several groups and individuals who have attended the festival this week to hand out literature and converse with Muslims.

It’s important to remember that many of the Muslims who live in Dearborn are first- or second-generation immigrants who escaped tyranny and terrorism themselves in the Arab world, yet often are treated as terror suspects and ostracized in other ways here in the United States. They need to hear the gospel—in terms that are winning and respectful of their own culture. I’m looking forward to the release later this summer of a book by Rosemary Sookhdeo called Breaking Through the Barriers: Leading Muslims to Christ. I just finished reading a galley proof, and it is full of good counsel from someone who has spent decades living alongside Muslims in neighborhoods of East London and elsewhere. She provides everything from a sound approach in giving out the gospel, to the practical advice—such as why it’s more acceptable to give food as a gift than flowers.