The campaign for Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed has accepted more than $115,000 from at least 41 individuals who are current or former employees, or hold leadership positions within the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR has been designated a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates and has been formally designated or labeled as such in Florida and Texas.
El-Sayed, who has advocated for reducing the influence of money in politics, received contributions from several high-ranking CAIR officials. Donors include 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 is noted as a significant financial backer of a super PAC supporting El-Sayed's campaign and is a founding committee member of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), a group with reported ties to Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood funding.
One donor, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad, previously drew criticism for stating he was "happy" to see Hamas breach into Gaza on October 7, 2023, and for arguing that Israel lacks the right to self-defense as an occupying power. Awad was listed in Federal Election Commission records under the name Nehad Hammad.
Contributions came from individuals affiliated with CAIR chapters across multiple states, including California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, and Ohio. Other notable donors identified 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, and former CAIR National Board Chair Roula Allouch.
El-Sayed has had past engagements with CAIR, including a paid speaking appearance in 2022 where he criticized Oklahoma's ban on Sharia law. CAIR has been identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in a 2007 federal terrorism financing case, although the organization has denied allegations of ties to terrorism and has challenged its inclusion.
In response to inquiries, CAIR has denied ties to terrorism, referencing a webpage titled "Dispelling Rumors About CAIR." The organization stated it has consistently condemned antisemitism and has maintained a public statement condemning terrorist attacks by groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. State Department. CAIR also highlighted a National Board statement condemning antisemitism and the October 7, 2023, attacks, and an editorial where Executive Director Nihad Awad agreed with the organization's condemnation of attacks on civilians.
El-Sayed recently won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, defeating Rep. Haley Stevens. He is set to face Republican Mike Rogers in the general election in November. El-Sayed has previously faced criticism from Republicans and pro-Israel advocates regarding his associations and statements concerning the Middle East.