Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El‑Sayed is scheduled to speak at the Islamic Society of North America’s (ISNA) annual convention over Labor Day weekend. The event, which draws thousands of Muslim Americans, will also feature several clerics whose past statements have sparked controversy.
Controversial speakers on the roster
Among the most disputed figures is cleric Baqir Berry, who has publicly prayed for “mujahideen” in Palestine and Lebanon, invoking a term commonly linked to Islamist fighters. In a June sermon, Berry asked God to grant the mujahideen “a mighty victory,” a prayer that was documented by the Middle East Media Research Institute.
Islamic Institute of America head Hassan Qazwini will also appear. Qazwini has previously appealed to God to “grant victory to our brothers in Iran,” a nation designated by the United States as a state sponsor of terrorism. His remarks have drawn criticism from Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign, which labeled his statements as antisemitic conspiracy theories after Qazwini suggested ISIS was acting as an “arm of the Zionists.”
Texas imam Yasir Qadhi is another scheduled speaker. Qadhi once made remarks that denied the Holocaust, though he later repudiated those statements. Siraj Wahhaj, who was named as a possible co‑conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center terrorism case but never charged, is also on the program.
El‑Sayed’s campaign funding and past associations
Fox News Digital reports that El‑Sayed’s campaign has received more than $100,000 from dozens of donors linked to a group alleged to have terror ties. The candidate has previously faced scrutiny for endorsing a Detroit‑area pastor who praised Louis Farrakhan, a figure widely recognized for antisemitic rhetoric.
El‑Sayed has also been questioned about his appearances with streamer Hasan Piker, who once suggested America “deserved 9/11.” While El‑Sayed called the comment “dumb” and disavowed the remark, he stopped short of disavowing Piker himself. Additionally, the candidate defended a 2021 blog post that compared former President Donald Trump’s role in the January 6 Capitol breach to Osama bin Laden’s role in the September 11 attacks.
Political context
The appearance comes as Michigan Republicans intensify attacks on El‑Sayed’s past associations with controversial political and religious figures. The Senate race, which pits El‑Sayed against Republican nominee Mike Rogers, has become a focal point for debates over national security, religious liberty, and the influence of extremist rhetoric on public office.
El‑Sayed’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
