Michigan Senate Candidate Faces Scrutiny Over Controversial Associations
Abdul El-Sayed, the Michigan Democratic Senate nominee, is under scrutiny for his planned participation in a rally alongside Hasan Piker, a streamer known for his anti-Israel views. Piker drew criticism for claiming “America deserved 9/11” and justifying the October 7th attacks. El-Sayed also faces questions regarding previous remarks on the Ayatollah’s death in Dearborn and his opinions on defunding ICE. These stances have sparked debates about cancel culture and border enforcement.
El-Sayed is scheduled to address the Islamic Society of North America’s (ISNA) annual convention during Labor Day weekend. This event features several speakers with histories of controversial statements. Among them is cleric Baqir Berry, who has offered prayers for the “mujahideen” in Palestine and Lebanon, a term often linked to Islamist fighters. He has asked for divine help in granting these fighters “a mighty victory.”
Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Institute of America, also plans to attend. He previously sought God’s help for a victory for Iran, a nation designated by the U.S. as a state sponsor of terrorism. Texas imam Yasir Qadhi, another speaker at the event, had previously denied aspects of the Holocaust, a stance he later recanted. Siraj Wahhaj, named as a potential co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center case but never charged, is also on the list of speakers.
El-Sayed’s campaign benefits from substantial financial backing, with over $100,000 from group members allegedly tied to terrorism. He recently participated in a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit. Cleric Berry had stated, “We pray to Allah to save our people in South Lebanon from the evil of these Zionists” during a sermon recorded by the Middle East Media Research Institute. “Oh Allah, grant them a mighty victory,” he continued.
Qazwini has faced backlash for statements linking ISIS to Israel, claiming it served as an “arm of the Zionists.” These remarks led Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign to denounce him for spreading “antisemitic conspiracy theories.” Neither Qadhi, Berry, nor Qazwini replied to requests for comment regarding their statements.
This is not El-Sayed’s first encounter with controversial figures. Previously, he received an endorsement from a Detroit pastor known for praising Louis Farrakhan, a figure infamous for antisemitic comments. Additionally, Fox News Digital reported El-Sayed’s appearances with streamer Hasan Piker, who suggested America deserved the 9/11 attacks. Though El-Sayed termed the comment “dumb,” he did not disavow Piker. He also defended a post equating President Donald Trump’s influence on the January 6 Capitol riot to Osama bin Laden’s involvement in the September 11 attacks.
As El-Sayed participates in the Michigan Senate race, Republicans increasingly scrutinize his ties with controversial figures. His campaign did not respond to requests for comment regarding these associations.