A new report is putting renewed attention on the fundraising behind Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign as Republicans intensify their efforts to define him ahead of one of the nation’s most competitive Senate races.
The report focuses on the campaign’s donor network and El-Sayed’s past ties to a national advocacy organization that has long been the subject of political and legal controversy.
Advertisement
The allegations arrive just days after El-Sayed secured the Democratic nomination and as both parties prepare for a closely watched general election that could help determine control of the U.S. Senate.
While the campaign has frequently emphasized reducing the influence of money in politics, critics are now pointing to the sources of some of its financial support.
Advertisement
According to a Fox News Digital review, El-Sayed’s campaign has received more than $115,000 in donations from individuals who currently work for, previously worked for, or have served in leadership positions with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, commonly known as CAIR.
Fox News Digital reported that at least 41 donors connected to CAIR contributed to El-Sayed’s campaign, including several senior officials within the organization.
Advertisement
Among those identified were CAIR National Board Chair Manal Fakhoury, National Board Treasurer Eyas Abdeen, National Vice Chair Emad Sabbah and CAIR-Michigan board member Jukaku Tayeb.
According to the report, Tayeb is El-Sayed’s father-in-law and has also been one of the largest financial supporters of a super PAC backing the Democratic nominee’s Senate campaign.
Fox News Digital also reported that Tayeb serves on the founding committee of the Islamic Society of North America, citing previous reporting from the Washington Free Beacon.
The review found donations from CAIR-affiliated individuals in several states, including Michigan, California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Washington, Illinois, Minnesota and Ohio.
Other donors identified in the report include CAIR-California Governance Board Treasurer Rubina Alvi, Governance Board Chair Asaad Traina, CAIR-Michigan board member Muzammil Ahmed, who reportedly contributed $11,600, CAIR-California board members Atef Ibrahim and Dina Ezzeddine, and former CAIR National Board Chair Roula Allouch.
Fox News Digital also highlighted a contribution from CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad, whose legal name appears in Federal Election Commission records as Nehad Hammad.
Awad drew criticism following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel after remarks in which he said he was “happy” to see Hamas break out of Gaza and argued that Israel did not have the right to self-defense as an occupying power.
Advertisement
The report also noted that El-Sayed has appeared at CAIR-sponsored events in the past.
According to the Washington Free Beacon, El-Sayed participated in a CAIR event in 2022 as a paid speaker, where he criticized Oklahoma’s ban on Sharia law and compared it to the Trail of Tears.
CAIR has been the subject of controversy for years over allegations regarding ties to Hamas.
Advertisement
Federal prosecutors named the organization an unindicted co-conspirator during the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case in 2007, although CAIR was never charged with a crime.
The organization has consistently denied allegations that it supports terrorism and has challenged its designation as an unindicted co-conspirator, Fox News reported.
Fox News Digital also noted that the United Arab Emirates designated CAIR a terrorist organization in 2014 and that officials in Florida and Texas have formally designated or labeled the organization as a terrorist entity under state actions.
Advertisement
In response to Fox News Digital, CAIR rejected allegations that it has ties to terrorism and pointed to its longstanding public statements condemning terrorism and antisemitism.
The organization cited its “Dispelling Rumors About CAIR” webpage, previous statements condemning attacks carried out by Hamas and other organizations designated as terrorist groups by the U.S. State Department, and a 2023 statement in which Awad said he agreed with CAIR’s condemnation of attacks targeting civilians.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
