Abdul El-Sayed uses speech to talk about Muslim faith and American identity

What the report says

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for the US Senate in Michigan, used a speech in Detroit over the weekend to highlight Muslim American identity and respond to Islamophobia. According to Al Jazeera, he spoke at the Annual Islamic Society Conference on Saturday, where he said Muslim Americans are being told they do not belong, but argued that their faith and American identity are compatible.

El-Sayed, a 41-year-old public health advocate and former candidate for higher office, has faced Islamophobic remarks during the current campaign. In his remarks, he said being Muslim can make people better Americans and that being American can help people become better Muslims. He also told the audience that the two identities are not in conflict.

Al Jazeera reported that the speech also included criticism of US and Israeli military policy, including the war in Iran and Israel’s war in Gaza. El-Sayed questioned government spending priorities, saying national resources should focus more on domestic problems such as infrastructure and literacy. He linked those concerns to everyday costs and needs, saying many Michigan voters care more about groceries, gas and security than foreign conflicts.

The Michigan Senate race is set for November’s midterm elections, where El-Sayed is expected to face Republican Mike Rogers, a former US representative backed by President Donald Trump. The two candidates have agreed to hold televised debates in October, adding to a contest that is drawing attention for both policy and cultural issues.