DETROIT, Mich. – The Islamic Society of North America’s annual conference in Detroit became a flashpoint for extreme rhetoric over Labor Day weekend, drawing attention to Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed’s appearance.
Controversial calls and applause
During a panel titled “Rising Islamophobia in the U.S.,” a speaker denounced recent legislation that could withhold federal higher‑education funds from colleges participating in certain boycotts of Israel, calling it an “anti‑Muslim bill.” A man in the audience, wearing a Pakistani flag pin, then demanded a fatwa be issued against the bipartisan lawmakers who supported the bill. Several audience members and a panelist applauded the call.
Later, a panelist criticized Congress for moving to censure Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib for using the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a slogan many describe as a call for the destruction of Israel. Tlaib defended the phrase as an aspirational call for freedom and human rights.
El‑Sayed’s reception and campaign response
When El‑Sayed took the stage, he was met with a thunderous standing ovation and chants of “we love you.” His speech emphasized unity and the compatibility of Muslim and American identities. However, his campaign quickly issued a statement distancing the candidate from other conference participants, noting that he does not endorse any other speaker.
“Abdul is not affiliated with and does not endorse any other participant of the conference,” a campaign spokeswoman told reporters.
Extremist claims and broader criticism
Panelists also accused billionaire Elon Musk of funding a global anti‑Muslim movement and suggested that mainstream narratives about the 9/11 attacks have been “debunked.” One speaker warned that Islamophobia was at an “all‑time high” as the 25th anniversary of the attacks approached, while another labeled the post‑9/11 “War on Terror” as the “War of Terror.”
Fox News Digital observed books for sale at the conference’s bazaar that portrayed Christianity as uniquely violent and defended Islamic warfare as purely defensive, further inflaming concerns about the event’s messaging.
Local context
Detroit’s metropolitan area, home to a sizable Arab American community in Dearborn and Hamtramck, has long hosted ISNA’s national gatherings. The organization posted a disclaimer stating it does not endorse the views of any participant and disclaims responsibility for materials displayed or sold at the convention.
Three Christian evangelists reported being escorted out of the conference without warning after attempting to engage attendees in conversation.
The controversy underscores the challenges faced by candidates like El‑Sayed, who must balance outreach to diverse constituencies with the need to distance themselves from extremist rhetoric.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
