Muslim reformers criticize Wajahat Ali’s warning about possible fallout from El-Sayed loss

Muslim reform advocates are criticizing political commentator Wajahat Ali for warning that people could become “radicalized” if Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed loses his Michigan Senate race. They say the language resembles pressure tactics used by Islamist leaders before elections in parts of the Middle East.

Ali wrote on X Monday that an El-Sayed defeat would be a turning point in Democratic politics, adding that “the fire will rise” and that voters would turn against Democrats he described as corporate and pro-Israel. He said a win would also mark a turning point, and that a reckoning would come either way.

After receiving criticism, Ali posted again Tuesday morning. He said the response to his comments exposed Islamophobia and anti-Arab prejudice, and challenged critics to be open about their views.

Ali did not respond to a request for comment.

Dalia Ziada, an Egyptian Muslim reformer who opposes political Islamism, said Ali’s remarks echoed rhetoric she had heard before elections in Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt. The message, she said, is often that rejecting a particular movement or candidate will lead to radicalization and violence.

Ziada, who directs the Washington office of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, said the comments could signal that political tensions will worsen.

Soraya Deen, a Muslim reform activist, attorney and co-founder of the Los Angeles Women’s Multifaith Alliance, said Ali’s remarks should not be dismissed as an ordinary social-media flare-up. His references to fire, radicalization and a coming reckoning, she said, warrant serious attention.

Deen added that losing an election does not justify radicalization, and argued that intimidation, extremism and ongoing political grievance should be rejected.

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a Muslim reformer who founded the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, said Ali’s comments reflected what he called a “Jihad First” approach to political disputes. Jasser, a Republican candidate for Congress in Arizona’s 4th District, also criticized the rhetoric surrounding El-Sayed’s campaign.

The reformers did not accuse Ali of belonging to an Islamist organization. Their criticism centered on what they view as language that pressures voters by suggesting that rejecting a candidate could bring radicalization or violence.

Ali’s post came as El-Sayed’s campaign attracted support from Muslim advocacy groups, Palestinian activist organizations, progressive groups, labor organizations and political commentators. An examination of public endorsements, campaign statements and voter-mobilization efforts identified 70 Muslim organizations and influencers connected to El-Sayed’s political orbit in some way. Their involvement varied, ranging from formal endorsements to public support and voter outreach.

Among the groups identified were CAIR Action, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Bangladeshi Americans for Political Progress, Emgage Action and the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. El-Sayed’s campaign website also listed support from groups including Muslims for Abdul, the Yemeni American Michigan Democratic Caucus, the Michigan Bangladeshi American Democratic Caucus and MPower Action, co-founded by Palestinian American activist Linda Sarsour.

The wider group of supporters also includes Democratic Party organizations, Democratic Socialists of America chapters and political figures such as Hasan Piker, Sarsour, Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib.

Many of the groups and individuals share priorities, including opposition to U.S. support for Israel, calls for an arms embargo or cease-fire, support for Palestinian activism, criticism of moderate Democrats and efforts to mobilize Muslim and progressive voters. Critics have characterized the coalition as a “red-green” alliance, combining left-wing political groups with Muslim advocacy organizations.

Jasser described Ali’s language as part of that alliance’s political outlook and argued that it showed little regard for patriotic Muslims or American values.

Ziada said the possibility of radicalization after an election loss was the most concerning part of Ali’s post. She argued that some activists treat political movements backing El-Sayed as a path to power, and may respond angrily if that effort fails.

Ziada also criticized El-Sayed’s campaign rhetoric about Israel, comparing it to tactics she said Middle Eastern leaders have used when facing economic or political problems. She pointed to President Donald Trump’s announcement Tuesday that the United States would end $4 billion in aid to Israel by the end of the year, a position she said aligned with one of the coalition’s demands.

Jasser said Muslim voters and Democratic leaders should pay closer attention to political figures who present themselves as representatives of Muslim communities. He argued that Ali’s post placed political goals ahead of the interests of other Muslims, including those who consider themselves patriotic Americans.

Ali has spent more than two decades as a media commentator, writing for and appearing on outlets including The Daily Beast, The New York Times, CNN and The Guardian. He also hosted programs for Al Jazeera America.

His political activism began after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when he took part in campus protests at the University of California, Berkeley. He later worked with Democratic operative Faiz Shakir at the Center for American Progress. Shakir went on to manage Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign. The nonprofit was founded by former Clinton administration chief of staff John Podesta.

Ali has continued to comment on Israel, Democratic Party strategy and Muslim political activism. Earlier this year, during a broadcast with former MSNBC host Joy Reid, the two criticized what they described as weak white men in a heated discussion about Trump.

More recently, Ali hosted a speaker who attacked House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries over campaign contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, calling him an “AIPAC monkey.” The remark prompted accusations of racism against Jeffries, who is Black.

Deen said political disagreement, rather than warnings of unrest, should follow an election loss. She reiterated that defeat does not excuse radicalization and urged people to reject intimidation and political extremism.