Michigan Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed Faces Multi-Front Controversy Over ISNA Convention Appearance

In early September, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, addressed a panel at the Islamic Society of North America’s (ISNA) annual convention in Detroit. The event, attended by roughly 1,000 people, also featured Cenk Uygur—founder of *The Young Turks*—and Muslim cleric Zaid Shakir, both of whom have questioned the official 9/11 narrative.

New York Post

The ISNA convention, the organization’s 63rd gathering, returned to Detroit after a 2014 appearance and was held at the Huntington Place Convention Center. ISNA promoted a program of “patience, perseverance, and God consciousness” and listed more than 150 speakers on topics ranging from theology to Islamophobia.

WDET - NPR - Detroit

El-Sayed’s campaign has already been scrutinized. A 2021 tweet mourning 9/11 victims while criticizing the United States resurfaced this week, and his March comments on a truck attack at the Temple Israel preschool in Bloomfield Hills prompted an apology he later called a “mistake.” His association with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who has made controversial remarks about Israel, has also been highlighted by opponents.

NPR

A recent survey of likely general-election voters conducted by Michigan State University found that 37 % of respondents said they were less likely to support a candidate who is Muslim. The poll’s director, Matt Grossmann, noted that such identity-based considerations “still influence voter behavior.”

Bridge Michigan

• Michigan Republican Party Chairman Jim Runestad downplayed religious rhetoric, stating that “Him being Muslim or being Arab or any of that — that’s irrelevant to me, and I think it is to Mike.”

Bridge Michigan

The controversy touches two electoral fault lines: anti-Muslim sentiment and the Democratic Party’s need to retain Jewish voter support. Accusations of extremist ties risk alienating moderate voters, while three death threats reported in three consecutive days by CAIR-MI highlight broader community impacts.

Bridge Michigan

• “I know there's going to be some differences, but the things that unify us are so much bigger than the things that divide us. And I hope I can continue to make the argument that inspires them to not just come out and vote, but bring others out to vote.” — Dr. Abdul El-Sayed

NPR

• “You don’t see any other group that is portrayed as having collective guilt or collective criminality like the Muslim community has,” — Amy V. Doukoure

Bridge Michigan

• Muslim Brotherhood Allegations: Republican statements assert that El-Sayed pledged support to the Muslim Brotherhood. Bridge Michigan’s investigation reports “no evidence” of such a pledge, noting that his 2011 commentary advocated support for Egyptian protesters but did not endorse the Brotherhood.

Bridge Michigan

El-Sayed must navigate the November general election while attempting to rebuild trust with Jewish voters and counteract Islamophobic attacks. His ability to separate his own positions from those of controversial allies will shape voter perceptions in the final weeks before Election Day.

NPR