Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, has family ties that may raise some eyebrows. His mother, Fatten Fathy Elkomy, has a history with an Islamic organization that the U.S. Treasury designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization back in 2004.
The Islamic African Relief Agency (IARA), linked to Elkomy, reportedly provided direct financial support to figures associated with terrorism, including Osama bin Laden and groups like al-Qaeda and the Taliban. This information comes from a Treasury release made during the time of IARA’s designation. It’s quite alarming to think about, isn’t it?
According to the Treasury Department, IARA, along with Maktab Al Hidamat—co-founded by bin Laden—collaborated on financial dealings and support initiatives, specifically for Taliban fighters. They are said to have worked directly with agencies under bin Laden’s control, which is troubling, to say the least.
The organization had agreements totaling over $1.3 million with the U.S. Agency for International Development until those were terminated in 1999. Moreover, it sent significant funds to bin Laden through its international branches, notably prior to the September 11 attacks.
While Elkomy was never charged with any crime, her name pops up numerous times in legal documents related to these allegations—she’s mentioned throughout a case against IARA that prompted two of its directors to plead guilty.
It’s reported that Elkomy was involved in numerous wire transfers and communications from the late ’90s to early 2000s, including a significant request for funds allegedly directed to IARA’s Iraq office.
Greg Mantz, a senior communications advisor for the Michigan Republican Party, expressed serious concerns about El-Sayed’s connections, asking why he hasn’t publicly condemned his mother’s alleged ties to these organizations—especially ones linked to the 9/11 attacks.
This situation raises serious questions. Abdul El-Sayed must address these reported links to terrorism. Why doesn’t he explicitly reject his mother’s associations? He has continually surrounded himself with controversial figures while failing to denounce their actions and beliefs.
Elkomy, in her defense, has denied any terrorist connections related to IARA. In a statement after being deployed to St. Louis in 2004, she expressed that her work involved helping orphans, which she mentioned was a heartbreaking experience due to lack of assistance available to them.
As for El-Sayed’s personal connections, he has acknowledged speaking to his mother after securing the Democratic nomination for Senate. Interestingly, while he refers to his mother during interviews, his campaign biography does not mention her at all. Instead, it emphasizes that he was raised by his Egyptian immigrant father and stepmother.
Beyond family, there’s also a half-sister, Eman Abdelhadi, who has made headlines for her own controversial actions, including an arrest during a protest. She has expressed views that many find radical, including her comments around the anniversary of tragic events related to terrorism.
El-Sayed’s camp has stated that while he loves his sister, he disagrees with many of her political positions, suggesting a complex family dynamic with a mix of beliefs and controversies. It seems like an intricate web of connections that could potentially influence public perception as he moves forward in his campaign.
