Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, is preparing to introduce a resolution in the House of Representatives to formally condemn Imam Omar Suleiman, president and co-founder of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. The move comes after Suleiman posted on social media that he hoped the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., would "live an eternity in ruins" for his support of Israel.
Suleiman's post, made shortly after news of Graham's death broke, stated, "In other news, Lindsey Graham is dead. Bye Lindsey. May you live an eternity in ruins for the ruins you helped create in Gaza. Ameen."
Van Duyne, whose district includes Suleiman's home in the Dallas area, told Fox News Digital that Congress must denounce what she called an "incendiary message" from a religious leader who previously delivered an opening prayer before the House in 2019, at the invitation of Democrats.
"This type of action from a religious leader that claims to preach about love and not hate needs to be condemned," Van Duyne said. "That was anything but love. That was depravity." She questioned whether condemning a deceased senator to an "eternity of ruins" based on political disagreement was acceptable.
Senator Graham, who served for decades, was a prominent advocate for Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza and a supporter of Ukraine and Taiwan. Van Duyne expressed her intention to discuss bringing the resolution to the House floor and hopes for bipartisan support, particularly from Democrats who had previously invited Suleiman to pray before Congress.
Suleiman was invited to deliver the invocation in the House chamber in May 2019 by then-Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas. Reports indicate Suleiman has a history of controversial remarks, including calls for a third Intifada, which is often interpreted as a call for violence against Israel and Jewish people, and referring to Zionists as "enemies of God."
Van Duyne stated that Suleiman's remarks celebrating Graham's death were fueled by "hatred of a people." The resolution is also expected to address allegations that Suleiman has defended convicted terrorists and traveled to Turkey to support members of the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization banned from U.S. travel.
Van Duyne suggested that the vitriol directed at Graham's death from some progressive commentators and activists reflects a broader decline in public discourse. "The words are getting more hateful. The call for violence is getting more dangerous," she said, adding that it is "horrible" for a religious leader to participate in such rhetoric.
The resolution also plans to highlight what it describes as Sharia law’s incompatibility with constitutional principles and American life. Van Duyne, a former mayor of Irving, Texas, has previously voiced concerns about the spread of radical Islam and efforts to promote Sharia law in Texas.
Van Duyne also used the opportunity to pay tribute to Graham, whom she described as a supporter during her congressional campaigns. "When he didn't agree with somebody, he would tell them," she said. "But it was never in a hateful, malicious manner, and I think we have lost the soul of debate. We have lost the soul of actual compromise in this country."