The Michigan Senate race has become a battleground for more than just political ideologies. As the August 4 primary approaches, Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed faces a wave of Islamophobic attacks that highlight deeper issues of religion, foreign policy, and political strategy.
El-Sayed, a former public health official, could make history as the first Muslim U.S. senator. However, his campaign has been met with scrutiny and bigotry, much of it centered around his stance on U.S.-Israeli relations and his Arab heritage.
Media Scrutiny and Islamophobic Tropes
In a July 19 interview with CNN host Jake Tapper El-Sayed was questioned about his reaction to the assassination of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei. Tapper’s line of questioning implied that El-Sayed, as a Muslim, should align with mainstream media narratives rather than consider the perspectives of his constituents in Dearborn, a city with one of the largest Muslim communities in the U.S.
Nancy Khalil an anthropologist at the University of Michigan, criticized Tapper’s approach, calling it “sloppy and offensive.” She argued that the interview reflected an assumption that El-Sayed, because of his faith and heritage, must conform to specific expectations about his political views.
The interview was just one example of the Islamophobic rhetoric El-Sayed has faced. Social media posts and right-wing outlets have labeled him a “terrorist” and “jihadist,” and even suggested banning Muslims from holding office. The Michigan GOP has amplified these attacks, emphasizing El-Sayed’s full name and suggesting ties to terrorism.
The Role of Pro-Israel Lobbying
The attacks on El-Sayed are not limited to right-wing reactionaries. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has poured nearly $30 million into the race through its super PAC, the United Democracy Project (UDP). UDP has run ads and mailers alleging that El-Sayed sympathizes with terrorists, a claim that scholars of Islamophobia say is part of a broader pattern of associating Muslim candidates with terrorism.
Hatem Bazian a leading scholar of Islamophobia at the University of California, Berkeley, drew parallels between the attacks on El-Sayed and those faced by Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign. Bazian noted that whenever a Muslim candidate opposes Israeli government policies, their opponents try to associate them with terrorism.
The attacks have also extended into real-life interactions. At a meet-and-greet with El-Sayed’s opponent, Haley Stevens a school board member expressed concern about El-Sayed’s Arabic heritage, suggesting that he should not speak Arabic or play Arabic music at campaign events. The Stevens campaign has distanced itself from these remarks, but the incident highlights the underlying prejudices at play.
Foreign Policy and Progressive Agendas
El-Sayed’s campaign is not just about his faith; it’s also about his progressive agenda. He has committed to ending military aid to Israel, a stance that contrasts sharply with Stevens, who has expressed unwavering support for Israel. El-Sayed’s platform also includes policies aimed at lowering the cost of living and fighting for Medicare for All issues that have resonated with voters this midterm cycle.
Despite the attacks, El-Sayed has remained focused on his policy goals. He has called on his supporters to avoid personal attacks on Stevens, emphasizing the importance of focusing on policy differences rather than personal characteristics. However, some observers have noted that Stevens has not similarly condemned the Islamophobic attacks on El-Sayed.
The Michigan Senate race is more than a contest between two candidates; it’s a reflection of broader societal issues. As Muslim candidates like El-Sayed gain traction, they face increased scrutiny and bigotry. Scholars suggest that this Islamophobia is a marker of success, indicating that Muslim candidates are challenging the status quo and forcing a reckoning with long-standing prejudices.
As the primary approaches, the outcome will not only determine Michigan’s next senator but also send a message about the state of religious tolerance and political discourse in the U.S.
