HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — After a yearlong election dispute, a new Hamtramck mayor has been sworn into office after his opponent led the Wayne County community.

Mayor Muhith Mahmood was sworn in during a ceremony at Hamtramck High School on Sunday afternoon. He replaces Adam Alharbi, who was declared the mayor after last November's election.

Despite the ceremony, Alharbi’s attorney said the dispute is far from over.

During his inaugural address, Mahmood pledged to lead with transparency, accountability and fairness. He spoke before a few hundred people during the event, which was attended by residents as well as local and state officials.

Mahmood said he plans to work with the City Council, city administration, business owners, faith leaders and community organizations to move the city forward, with a goal to strengthen the city's public safety, improve roads and city services, support local businesses and create opportunities for young people.

He said he would also advocate to state and federal officials to secure funding for infrastructure, housing, public safety and economic opportunities.

Mahmood promised to listen to residents, explain his decisions and treat people fairly.

"Our residents deserve a government that will listen, respond, and follow through,” he said.

The mayor, who is a Bangladeshi American, noted Hamtramck’s Bangladeshi, Yemeni, Polish, Russian, African American and other communities.

“Our diversity is our strength,” he said. “We may come from different backgrounds, but we share the same hope, same neighborhood ... reliable services, good schools and a green future for our next generation.”

The new mayor urged residents to respect each other’s differences and work together toward common goals.

“We may disagree on some issues, but we must always put our residents first," Mahmood said.

Mayor Pro Tem Abu Ahmed Musa called the mayor’s inauguration a historic moment for Hamtramck, particularly for the Bangladeshi community. He said Mahmood is a longtime friend, adding that they grew up in the same village, attended the same college and entered politics together.

Musa urged residents and city leaders to move forward together and learn from past mistakes.

"Let's move forward,” he said. “I'm with you 100%, and we'll build the city together."

Mahmood's swearing-in came about after a yearlong election dispute and legal battle.

Alharbi's attorney, Nabih Ayad, is challenging the legality of Mahmood's swearing-in, arguing that Hamtramck already has a certified mayor, Alharbi, who is Yemeni American. He said Alharbi cannot be replaced without a separate legal proceeding.

Ayad said his client is pursuing a recount of 37 ballots and all absentee ballots and has an appeal pending with the Michigan Court of Appeals for the residency case. He said he is also considering legal challenges related to Mahmood's swearing-in and the state's handling of an investigation into disputed absentee ballots.

"This is far from finished," Ayad said. "There's going to be litigation like crazy."

He said his client wants the election process to be fair and for the rightful winner to take office, regardless of the outcome.

"All he wants is what is fair and accurate," Ayad said. "He just wants justice to happen."

Following initial tabulation in 2025, Alharbi was declared the winner by an 11-vote margin.

But the day after Election Day, 37 uncounted ballots were discovered in the city clerk's office. The issue of whether to count them went before the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, which initially deadlocked, voting 2-2, effectively rejecting the ballots.

Alharbi took office in January. Mahmood filed suit in Wayne County Circuit Court, which initially sided with the board and allowed the ballots to remain uncounted.

Mahmood appealed, and in March 2026 the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed the Circuit Court decision. Alharbi then appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case, leaving the appeals court’s ruling intact.

On Sept. 30, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen McCarthy issued an order directing the Board of Canvassers to count the 37 ballots. On Oct. 15 the additional votes were tallied, putting Mahmood on top, 2,089 to 2,077.

The new results were not certified until McCarthy ruled on a related case, in which Alharbi alleged that Mahmood was ineligible to serve as mayor because he did not meet residency requirements. On Oct. 30, the judge issued an order clearing the way for Mahmood to take office.

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