A man deeply affected by Islamic extremist terrorism is expressing his anger at the increasing number of Democratic candidates with extreme viewpoints. Don Arias has publicly criticized Dr. Adam Hamawi, a candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 12th District, calling him “insane.”
Arias, a veteran of the Air Force and a former firefighter, experienced firsthand the aftermath of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. His older brother was killed in the 9/11 attacks, an event that dramatically reshaped American history.
On the day of the attacks, following the first plane strike on the North Tower, Arias spoke with his brother Adam, who recounted the horrific scene of people jumping from the burning buildings. “That’s something that has lingered with me,” Arias shared. He has since been an advocate for the families affected by 9/11.
Hamawi, a combat orthopedic surgeon, recently won a crowded primary election on June 2 to replace retiring Representative Bonnie Watson-Coleman. His past is under scrutiny due to connections with Islamic terrorism, notably his association with the infamous Omar Abdelrahman, the “Blind Sheikh,” who orchestrated the 1993 bombing and died in prison in 2017.
The two first met in 1991, and Hamawi soon began attending the mosque with Abdelrahman. They even traveled together to a conference in Detroit that year. Arias expressed skepticism about Hamawi, acknowledging certain credentials like being a doctor and a veteran but questioning his integrity based on past associations.
“If you’re spending time with someone like the blind sheikh and then testifying in their favor, it raises serious doubts about your credibility,” Arias stated. He added, “Show me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.” He criticized Hamawi’s efforts to downplay his past connections.
Furthermore, Hamawi participated in a 1994 humanitarian mission to Bosnia, working alongside the Benevolence International Foundation, which was later dubbed a terrorist financier due to alleged ties with al-Qaeda.
Arias is concerned that voters lack knowledge about candidates like Hamawi. “If people truly understood his connections, they wouldn’t support him,” he remarked. He also emphasized that a socialist candidate, Abar Kawas, who previously suggested America deserved 9/11, may soon secure a Senate seat in New York.
Kawas, a daughter of undocumented Muslim immigrants, won the primary election and has been backed by New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani. She made controversial remarks about capitalism, racism, and Islamophobia during a podcast in 2017, which Arias condemned as trivializing the 9/11 tragedy.
He has voiced strong criticism of both Kawas and Mamdani, referring to them as extremists and expressing disbelief that they represent American values. Arias argued that the education system is cultivating harmful ideologies in young voters, making them susceptible to extreme beliefs.
“It’s disheartening to see young people sway toward these ideas,” he commented, attributing this issue to a failing education system that promotes radical thinking. He also suggested that many young socialist supporters come from privileged backgrounds, highlighting a disconnect with the realities faced by most people.
Hamawi’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment, while Kawas opted to direct inquiries to her social media account instead.
