Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign has accepted more than $115,000 from individuals associated with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an organization designated a terrorist group by the United Arab Emirates and labeled as such in Florida and Texas.
A review found that at least 41 individuals who currently work for, formerly worked for, or held leadership roles within CAIR contributed to El-Sayed's campaign. This fundraising effort stands in contrast to El-Sayed's campaign platform, which has emphasized removing "money from politics."
The donor list includes high-ranking CAIR officials such as national Board Chair Manal Fakhoury, national Board Treasurer Eyas Abdeen, national Vice Chair Emad Sabbah, and CAIR-Michigan board member Jukaku Tayeb, who is also El-Sayed's father-in-law. Tayeb has been a significant financial supporter of the super PAC backing El-Sayed and is associated with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), a group linked to Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood funding.
One donor, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad, faced national criticism for remarks made after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, stating he was "happy" to see Hamas break out of Gaza and asserting that Israel "does not have the right to self-defense" as an occupying power. FEC records list Awad under the name Nehad Hammad.
Donations originated from CAIR leaders and officials affiliated with chapters across multiple states, including California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, and Ohio, indicating broad support from within the organization's leadership.
Other notable donors include CAIR-California Governance Board Treasurer Rubina Alvi, CAIR-California Governance Board Chair Asaad Traina, CAIR-Michigan board member Muzammil Ahmed, who contributed $11,600, CAIR-California Governance Board members Atef Ibrahim and Dina Ezzeddine, and former CAIR National Board Chair Roula Allouch.
Beyond campaign fundraising, El-Sayed has appeared at CAIR events. In 2022, he was paid for a speaking engagement where he criticized Oklahoma's ban on Sharia law, comparing it to the Trail of Tears.
CAIR has faced allegations of ties to Hamas for years. In 2007, federal prosecutors identified the organization as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case. Prosecutors argued CAIR was part of a network supporting Hamas in the U.S., though the organization has denied these allegations and challenged its inclusion.
Florida and Texas have officially designated CAIR as a terrorist organization, while the United Arab Emirates made a similar designation in 2014, which is understood to be related to CAIR's alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
In response to inquiries, CAIR has denied terrorism-related allegations. The organization pointed to its "Dispelling Rumors About CAIR" webpage, a memorandum stating it has "repeatedly condemned antisemitism" and "for decades" condemned terrorist attacks, and a 2009 statement unequivocally condemning all acts of terrorism by groups designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the U.S. Department of State.
CAIR also cited a national board statement condemning antisemitism and the Oct. 7 attacks, and an editorial where Executive Director Nihad Awad affirmed agreement with the organization's condemnation of attacks on civilians.
El-Sayed recently defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary and is set to face Republican Mike Rogers in November. He has previously drawn criticism from Republicans and pro-Israel advocates for his associations and comments on Middle Eastern issues, including campaigning with streamer Hasan Piker, his response to an attack on a Detroit synagogue, and his remarks on the death of Iran's supreme leader.