Abdurrahman Mohamed El-Sayed, a far-left Democratic candidate for the Michigan Senate, referred to the Koran as a guiding influence for his political beliefs and drew parallels between himself and Jesus during a podcast interview in May.
While Mr. El-Sayed follows Sharia law in his personal life, he stated in an interview on a progressive Christian podcast that Islam drives his political views but clarified he does not aim to “promote a particular ideology.”
Mr. El-Sayed expressed:
It is frustrating that when Muslims engage in political organization, they are often perceived as trying to impose an ideology. The Koran states, “Lā ikrāha fī d-dīn,” which means there should be no coercion in faith. One acts according to their beliefs, not by compelling others to adhere to specific doctrines or laws. Faith is an act of personal choice.
This implies a lack of compulsion in religion. The focus should be on practicing one’s beliefs in a manner that honors the dignity and opportunities of others, rather than trying to control how they should behave or live. It’s really about fostering an environment of freedom where individuals can choose how to lead their lives, including their spiritual practices, relationships, and interactions with the world.
Later in the discussion, when asked about being labeled a “radical” for his socialist proposals like “Medicare for All,” he was told that many “progressive Christians” see these ideas as closely aligned with Jesus’ teachings.
He noted, “Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, was considered radical in his own time, and his courage to confront corruption embodies a certain radical essence.”
This isn’t the first instance where El-Sayed has aligned his views with Jesus. Just last week, he mentioned during a conversation with left-wing podcaster Jennifer Welch that Jesus’ teachings aimed to challenge the power dynamics of the wealthy and how they exploit others, suggesting that this was fundamentally his message.
Many on the left and some “progressive” Christians often reference this narrative to advocate for wealth redistribution by the government under the guise of compassion. However, in Christian doctrine, the essence of Jesus’ mission was not to destabilize structures but to fulfill the Law of Moses, lead a sinless life, and sacrifice himself to atone for humanity’s sins, allowing those who believe and repent to reconnect with God.
“Abdurrahman Mohamed El-Sayed sees himself as a kind of messianic figure, come to rescue America with his radical socialist agenda,” commented Republican National Committee spokesman Hunter Lovell. “Jesus was not a political tool, and El-Sayed’s extreme views are disrespectful to countless Christians.”
As of the time of this report, El-Sayed’s campaign had not returned requests for comments.
On another note, El-Sayed has stated he is receiving endorsements from prominent progressive lawmakers like Senator Bernie Sanders and Congress members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib. He has also partnered with radical streamer Hasan Piker, who controversially remarked that America “deserved 9/11.”
A Senate counterterrorism expert also raised alarms regarding his candidacy: “His familial connections to the Muslim Brotherhood and associations with a Midwest voter outreach group linked to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) raise serious homeland security implications,” as reported.
