According to Fox News Digital, El-Sayed’s Senate campaign has collected more than $115,000 from individuals who either currently work for CAIR, previously held positions with the organization, or have served on its leadership boards. The outlet reported that at least 41 contributors tied to CAIR have donated to the Democrat’s campaign.
Among the individuals identified are CAIR National Board Chair Manal Fakhoury, National Board Treasurer Eyas Abdeen, National Vice Chair Emad Sabbah, and CAIR-Michigan board member Jukaku Tayeb.
The report also highlights Tayeb’s family connection to the Democratic nominee, noting that he is El-Sayed’s father-in-law. In addition to his campaign donations, Fox News Digital reported that Tayeb has emerged as one of the largest financial supporters of a super PAC working to help El-Sayed win the Senate seat.
Fox News Digital further cited previous reporting from the Washington Free Beacon indicating that Tayeb serves on the founding committee of the Islamic Society of North America, adding another layer to the network of organizations linked to the campaign’s donor base.
The donor review found contributions from CAIR-affiliated individuals spread across multiple states, including Michigan, California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, and Ohio, suggesting support extending well beyond Michigan’s borders.
Additional donors named in the report include CAIR-California Governance Board Treasurer Rubina Alvi, Governance Board Chair Asaad Traina, CAIR-Michigan board member Muzammil Ahmed—who reportedly contributed $11,600—along with CAIR-California board members Atef Ibrahim and Dina Ezzeddine, and former CAIR National Board Chair Roula Allouch.
Fox News Digital also drew attention to a donation from CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad, whose legal name appears in Federal Election Commission records as Nehad Hammad.
Awad has remained a controversial figure since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Following the assault, he faced widespread criticism after stating he was “happy” to see Hamas break out of Gaza while also arguing that Israel did not have the right to self-defense because it is an occupying power.
The report also revisited El-Sayed’s previous involvement with CAIR-sponsored events. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the Senate candidate appeared as a paid speaker at a 2022 CAIR event, where he criticized Oklahoma’s ban on Sharia law and compared the measure to the Trail of Tears.
CAIR itself has remained at the center of political debate for years because of allegations concerning ties to Hamas. In 2007, federal prosecutors listed the organization as an unindicted co-conspirator during the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case. However, CAIR was never charged with a crime.
The organization has repeatedly denied accusations that it supports terrorism and has consistently challenged its designation as an unindicted co-conspirator. Fox News Digital noted that CAIR maintains it has long condemned acts of terrorism and violence.
The report also pointed to international and state-level actions involving the organization. In 2014, the United Arab Emirates designated CAIR as a terrorist organization. Fox News Digital further noted that officials in both Florida and Texas have taken actions formally designating or labeling the organization as a terrorist entity under state-level measures.
Responding to Fox News Digital’s reporting, CAIR forcefully rejected allegations that it has ties to terrorism. The organization directed readers to its “Dispelling Rumors About CAIR” webpage and cited numerous public statements condemning terrorism and antisemitism.
CAIR also referenced statements denouncing attacks carried out by Hamas and other organizations designated as terrorist groups by the U.S. State Department. In addition, the group highlighted a 2023 statement in which Awad said he agreed with CAIR’s condemnation of attacks targeting civilians.
As Michigan’s Senate race moves into the general election, Republicans are expected to continue using El-Sayed’s donor network and past associations as a central line of attack. Democrats, meanwhile, are likely to argue that the criticism is politically motivated and that the campaign’s fundraising complies with federal law. With the race poised to become one of the most expensive and closely watched contests in the nation, scrutiny surrounding El-Sayed’s campaign finances is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
