started · updated
Abdul El-Sayed faces scrutiny over family ties and socialist platform
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is facing scrutiny regarding his family background and political stances. Reports indicate that his birth mother, Fatten Fathy Elkomy, worked for the Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA) from 1999 to at least 2004. The U.S. Treasury Department designated IARA as a specially designated global terrorist organization in 2004, alleging the group provided financial support to Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, and Hamas. While IARA-US pleaded guilty in 2016 to violating sanctions by funneling funds to Iraq, Elkomy was never accused of wrongdoing or charged with any crimes.
Politically, El-Sayed has drawn attention for his progressive views. He has advocated for increased public control over the artificial intelligence industry and has compared the radical nature of his socialist policies to the teachings of Jesus. He has also received endorsements from the progressive House Squad, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, though he has attempted to distance himself from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
In recent polling, El-Sayed holds a lead over Republican nominee Mike Rogers, with some surveys showing him ahead by 4 to 7 points. However, his campaign faces challenges regarding voter satisfaction and scrutiny over his past role as executive director of the Detroit Health Department.
Entities
Abdul El-Sayed · Chuck Schumer · Democratic Socialists of America · Detroit Health Department · Fatten Fathy Elkomy · Islamic American Relief Agency · Mike Rogers · Rashida Tlaib · U.S. Department of the Treasury
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In 2015, the 1,988 dogs euthanized by Detroit Animal Care and Control represented 26.4 percent of all dogs euthanized in the county. sonsoflibertymedia.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Rep. Rashida Tlaib is like an older sister to Abdul El-Sayed. worldisraelnews.com · infos-israel.news
- [○ 1 SOURCE] During Abdul El-Sayed’s tenure as executive director of the Detroit Health Department from 2015 to 2017, Detroit Animal Care and Control euthanized nearly 4,680 dogs and cats. sonsoflibertymedia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Three Democratic donors in Michigan are hosting a fundraiser for Republican opponent Mike Rogers.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Members of the progressive House Squad, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, have endorsed Abdul El-Sayed. worldisraelnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The progressive House Squad, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, has endorsed El-Sayed. infos-israel.news · worldisraelnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A poll of 1,528 registered voters in Michigan shows El-Sayed leading Republican Mike Rogers by 4 points. www.dailysignal.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Islamic African Relief Agency (IARA) was designated by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2004 as an organization supporting terrorism. www.theblaze.com · townhall.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] During El-Sayed’s tenure as executive director of the Detroit Health Department from 2015 to 2017, Detroit Animal Care and Control euthanized nearly 4,680 dogs and cats. sonsoflibertymedia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Abdul El-Sayed described Representative Rashida Tlaib as having ‘big sister energy’ during a campaign event. infos-israel.news · worldisraelnews.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated the Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA) as a specially designated global terrorist organization in 2004. pulptastic.com · gellerreport.com · internewscast.com · hotair.com · www.theblaze.com · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Abdul El-Sayed’s birth mother, Fatten Fathy Elkomy, worked for the Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA) from 1999 until at least 2004. pulptastic.com · gellerreport.com · internewscast.com · hotair.com · www.theblaze.com · +1 more