DETROIT, Mich. — Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed headlined an Islamic conference over Labor Day weekend where the United States was described as an empire in decline, early Islamic conquests were praised, and the aftermath of 9/11 was framed around Islamophobia and discrimination.
The event, held annually by the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), featured a range of speakers discussing topics from Muslim civic participation to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Throughout the conference, participants expressed critical views of the United States and the broader Western world, with some opinions that may be considered extreme.
Fox News Digital attended the event, observing many panels held on Saturday and Sunday before and after El-Sayed's speech. El-Sayed is running in a competitive Senate race in 2026, which may influence control of the Senate.
At one panel titled "Rising Islamophobia in the U.S.," a speaker criticized recently passed legislation that could restrict federal funding for colleges participating in certain boycotts of Israel, labeling it as "an anti-Muslim bill." Following this, an audience member wearing a Pakistani flag pin called for a fatwa against lawmakers who supported the bill. A fatwa is a religious ruling that can range from condemnation to justification of violence.
The legislation was introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., and co-sponsored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J. After the call for a fatwa, some audience members and a panelist applauded.
Earlier in the discussion, a panelist criticized Congress for censuring Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib for their comments, including Tlaib's endorsement of the phrase "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," which critics view as a call for the destruction of Israel. Tlaib defended her statement as an aspirational call for freedom and coexistence.
ISNA, established in 1981, aims to provide a platform for civic coordination and education for America's Muslim population. Detroit, where the event took place, has a significant Arab American community, particularly in Dearborn and Hamtramck.
Panelists accused billionaire Elon Musk of supporting a global anti-Muslim movement and suggested that narratives about 9/11 taught in American schools have been "debunked," asserting that Muslims faced unfair treatment post-9/11. Criticism of America's response to 9/11 was a recurring theme at the conference, with one speaker noting that "Islamophobia is at an all-time high" as the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches. Another speaker referred to the War on Terror as the "War of Terror."
El-Sayed has worked to moderate his public image since launching his Senate campaign, despite maintaining connections to prominent socialists and activists. His participation in the ISNA conference has drawn scrutiny due to his associations, including ties to figures from the Nation of Islam and clerics accused of supporting terrorist organizations.
In response to these criticisms, El-Sayed pointed out that GOP Senate nominee Mike Rogers has connections to individuals promoting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and advocating for bans on gay marriage.
Before the event, El-Sayed's campaign sought to distance him from other speakers at the conference, stating that "Abdul is not affiliated with and does not endorse any other participant of the conference." This statement followed reports that he would appear alongside controversial figures, although only one cleric who defended child marriage was ultimately disinvited.
ISNA anticipated scrutiny regarding some invited speakers, posting a sign at the venue stating that it does not endorse the views expressed by participants.
Fox News Digital spoke to three Christian evangelists who claimed they were removed from the conference without warning while engaging with attendees. Attendance was open to people of all faiths, and an interfaith banquet was held on Sunday.
The conference featured books for sale that defended Islamic warfare and criticized Christianity. One book claimed that no religion has a more violent history than Christianity, while another argued that all Islamic warfare is defensive.
El-Sayed received a warm welcome from attendees, with campaign buttons visible throughout the conference. His speech focused on unity and representation, emphasizing the compatibility of Muslim and American identities. He challenged attendees to present their authentic selves in various spaces, stating, "Being Muslim makes us better Americans."
However, other speakers at the conference offered differing views on America and its global role. One academic described the U.S. as an empire in decline, while another criticized American foreign policy post-9/11 and credited the "TikTok generation" with mobilizing support for Palestinians.
Some speakers attempted to link El-Sayed's socialist agenda with his Islamic faith, with one cleric stating that Islam was historically spread by socialism. ISNA declined to comment, and the El-Sayed campaign did not respond to requests for comment after the event.