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A Muslim cleric who has praised Iran and refused to call Hezbollah a terrorist organization has reportedly been chosen to deliver a benediction at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Hasham al-Hussaini is a prominent Iraqi-American imam in Michigan who oversees the Karbala Islamic Education Center in Dearborn. Mr. Al-Hussaini was one of a number of Muslim voters in Michigan who announced their intention to support Mr. Trump over the Democratic ticket in November ahead of Election Day.
“I’m leaning toward Trump because I feel he’s closer to the Bible, Torah, and Koran, because I support peace without war,” he said in October. FOX News Digital reported at the time. He added that the country “deserves a strong leader who will bring peace to the world.”
Al-Hussaini reportedly made a series of questionable comments before expressing support for the former and incoming president. For example, the Middle East Media and Research Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, reported this week that an Islamic cleric praised Iran in a 2022 interview.
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Hasham Al Hussaini prepares to vote at Maples Elementary School in Dearborn, Michigan, on November 2, 2004. (Farah Nosh/Getty Images)
“Thank God we have the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose light will reach Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and all over the country,” he said in an interview published by the nonprofit organization X. Ta.
The conservative nonprofit Middle East Forum has described the cleric as a “radical anti-Semite and Hezbollah-supporting Shiite imam,” who reportedly died in Dearborn in 2015. He said he “wished for Saudi Arabia’s death” amid the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen’s internal affairs. war.
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In 2007, Al-Hussaini appeared on the “Hannity & Colmes” show with Fox News’ Sean Hannity and was asked whether he considered Hezbollah a terrorist organization. The cleric was invited to deliver the invitation to the DNC’s winter meeting that year and participated in the program.
“I’ll ask you again: Hezbollah? This is a yes-or-no question. Is Hezbollah a terrorist organization? Yes or no?” Hannity asked Imam.
“Then give me time to ask questions. Now give me time to answer them,” Al-Hussaini said.
“Yes or no?” Hannity continued.
June 19, 2007, Imam Husham Al Hussaini, Dearborn, Michigan. (Mary Chapman/AFP via Getty Images)
“First of all, Hezbollah is a Lebanese organization. And I have nothing to do with it. But Hezbollah has a Biblical meaning. It’s in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It means the people of God, and that is what it means.’ Yes,” replied the Imam.
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Later in the segment, Hannity again asked if Hezbollah is a terrorist organization.
“Is this your political idea or… you know what Hezbollah means? I stand with the people of God,” al-Hussaini said.
The State Department has recognized Hezbollah as a terrorist organization since 1997.
Fox News Digital contacted the Trump transition team about the invitation and Al-Hussaini’s previous comments, but did not receive a response.
Matt Foldi, a former U.S. House of Representatives candidate and current editor-in-chief of The Washington Reporter, reportedly shared a photo with X this week of the official inauguration program, which included Catholic priest Al Hussaini and the Rev. Frank Mann. are. , Rabbi Ari Berman and Detroit pastor Lorenzo Sewell will perform the benediction.
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Fox News Digital also attempted to contact al-Hussaini through the Karbala Islamic Education Center, but did not immediately receive a response.
Dearborn, Michigan, has the proportionately largest Muslim population in the United States and was the birthplace of the “Abandon Biden” movement last year as Arab voters spoke out over the administration’s handling of the Gaza conflict. After Biden withdrew from the race in July, the movement turned to “abandoning” Vice President Kamala Harris and ultimately supporting Trump on Election Day.
Former President Trump speaks at a campaign event at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan on September 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Muslim voters overall supported Harris by 32 points in the 2024 election. Mr. Trump received 32% of the vote and Ms. Harris received 63%. In 2020, Biden won 64% of the Muslim vote to Trump’s 35%. Mr. Trump faced mixed support from Muslim and Arab American voters, but their support was especially important in battleground states like Michigan.
Arab-American voters in Dearborn said after the election that they voted for Trump over Harris in protest of Harris’ stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
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“They didn’t vote for Trump because they believe he’s the best candidate,” Arab American News publisher Osama Shiblani told Politico in November. “No, they voted for Trump because they want to punish the Democratic Party and Harris.”
Fox News Digital’s Michael Lee contributed to this report.
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