Full Breakdown
Michigan Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s Campaign Faces Scrutiny Over Sister’s Controversial Remarks
8/15/2026, 6:37:46 AM
The Controversial Video and Past Remarks
In a video posted to Instagram on October 7, 2024, University of Chicago professor Eman Abdelhadi opened an “October 7th blessing” with “Allahu Akbar.” The clip, shared by Rabbis4Ceasefire, marked the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel. Abdelhadi’s remarks did not mention Israeli victims and she wore a keffiyeh. The video resurfaced in 2025 and drew criticism on X.
Background on Eman Abdelhadi
- Eman Abdelhadi – half-Egyptian, half-Palestinian associate professor in Comparative Human Development at the University of Chicago.
- Co-author of *Everything for Everyone* and columnist for *In These Times*.
- Identifies as queer, uses she/they pronouns, and is active on issues such as Islamophobia and Palestinian advocacy.
- In October 2025, she was arrested during an anti-ICE protest and charged with aggravated battery and resisting a peace officer.
Political Context and Potential Impact
Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Senate primary and will face Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers in the November 3 general election, a race seen as pivotal for Senate control. El-Sayed has not addressed his sister’s remarks; his campaign stresses his record on healthcare, housing and economic reform.
Data & Statistics
Official Statements & Responses
- The University of Chicago announced an investigation into Abdelhadi’s 2025 remarks; she remains on faculty pending outcome.
- El-Sayed’s campaign has not issued a direct comment on the video.
Criticism & Opposition
- Conservative commentator Benny Johnson compiled Abdelhadi’s past posts, including criticism of Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July, urging Michigan to “reject El-Sayed.”
- Commentator Eyal Yakoby called the video a “celebration” of the October 7 attacks.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Polling data vary widely, offering no definitive picture of the race’s trajectory. Abdelhadi’s legal case from the October 2025 protest remains unresolved, leaving any potential impact on the campaign uncertain.
What’s Next
El-Sayed continues campaigning ahead of the November 3 election while the university investigation and pending legal proceedings against his half-sister remain unresolved.
