El-Sayed’s 2009 Interview on Sharia ‘Obligation’ Resurfaces
A 2009 interview with Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Michigan Senate, has resurfaced, revealing his personal perspective on adhering to Sharia-compliant practices. In the interview with The New York Times, El-Sayed, then a medical student, discussed his decision to seek a mortgage that aligned with Islamic law while purchasing a condominium in Ann Arbor. He explained his motivation stemmed from a sense of religious duty rather than fear.
El-Sayed’s Personal Faith and Financial Decisions
El-Sayed articulated his commitment to his faith, stating, “Ultimately, the question is, when I die and I stand before God and go through everything I did in my life, I don’t want to say I did it the easy way instead of the Shariah-compliant way.” He emphasized, “Not because of fear but because of obligation.” This statement sheds light on his personal approach to navigating his religious beliefs within everyday life, specifically concerning financial transactions.
Sharia law, in general, prohibits Muslims from engaging in financial transactions that involve interest, commonly known as riba. A widely adopted alternative for Muslim Americans seeking to purchase homes is the use of long-term payment plans. These plans typically structure the home purchase by adding an agreed-upon premium to the total price over time, effectively bypassing the charging of explicit interest.
Context on Sharia Law and El-Sayed’s Stance
Beyond financial matters, Sharia law encompasses a broad range of guidance for adherents. Traditional interpretations address various aspects of life, including social conduct, family matters, and legal principles. It’s important to note that interpretations and applications of Sharia law can vary significantly among different Muslim communities and scholars.
El-Sayed’s campaign spokeswoman, Roxie Richner, speaking to the Washington Free Beacon, which initially reported on the resurfaced comments, affirmed his belief in the separation of church and state. “Abdul believes in the separation of church and state,” Richner stated. “While he personally lives by the rules of his faith, as many Americans of various faiths do, Abdul opposes any effort by any religious community to write their faith laws into the laws of our country.” This distinction highlights El-Sayed’s view that personal religious observance is separate from advocating for religious law to govern public policy.
Opposition to Sharia Bans and Historical Parallels
El-Sayed has been vocal in his opposition to legislative efforts aimed at banning Sharia law in the United States. He has characterized such initiatives as being rooted in prejudice and white supremacy. In a 2022 speech, he referenced Oklahoma’s constitutional amendment to ban Sharia law, questioning the practical implications while acknowledging the voters’ decision.
He drew parallels between the historical marginalization of various groups and contemporary efforts to ban Sharia law. “The same exact forces that drove Native peoples from their land two centuries ago, destroyed Black Wall Street a century ago, bombed a building decades ago, and tried to ban Sharia law not a decade ago, those forces are alive and well today,” El-Sayed stated. He further elaborated on this connection, explaining, “The reason I wanted to go all the way back to the 1830s is because you can’t understand a Shariah ban without understanding the Trail of Tears. You can’t understand the efforts to uproot Muslim Americans without understanding the Tulsa massacre. You cannot understand the challenges we face today without understanding white supremacy.”
Associations and Broader Political Context
While El-Sayed generally aligns with progressive social stances, his campaign has also faced scrutiny regarding his associations with religious figures connected to Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. Farrakhan himself has been a figure of controversy due to past remarks, including derogatory comments about Jewish people and theories regarding racial evolution.
The resurfacing of the 2009 interview and discussions surrounding El-Sayed’s religious views and associations occur within the broader context of the Michigan Senate race. His campaign has maintained that he is committed to the separation of church and state, even as he personally adheres to his faith’s principles.
The campaign has not provided further comment on the 2009 interview when approached for additional remarks.
