The campaign of Michigan Democrat Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed has drawn fire after receiving $25,000 from specific donors.. These contributors were among those who signed a 2012 letter supporting the Muslim Brotherhood.
The 2012 letter endorsing Mohamad Morsi’s Egyptian purge
The controversy is rooted in a 2012 document signed by 46 leaders of the Egyptian community in the United States. This letter was published shortly after then-President Mohamad Morsi unilaterally granted himself new powers,and it explicitly supported his "revolutionary actions." Furthermore, the signers called for a purge of the Egyptian media and police forces to protect the new regime.
Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed, who was a medical student at Columbia University at the time, was the 33rd person to sign the document. This political friction reflects a long-standing tension between diaspora political activism and domestic security concerns. The 2012 period in Egypt was marked by intense volatility, and the actions of the Muslim Brotherhood during that era continue to polarize both Egyptian and American observers.
Donations from Dr. Hany Saqr and Dr. Hesham Gayar
Campaign records indicate that significant funds have come from individuals with deep ties to the movement. Dr. Hesham Gayar, a prominent Michigan oncologist at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, is cited as a major donor. Another contributor, Dr. Hany Saqr, is associated with the Egyptian Association in America.
As the Free Beacon reported, Saqr was previously identified in a 1990s phone directory of U.S.-based Muslim Brotherhood leaders during a federal investigation into terror financing. Saqr has also been vocal in his opposition to current Egyptian President Abdel el-Sisi, whom he has publicly insulted. For Michigan voters, the question is whether these historical signatures represent a candidate's past student activism or a permanent political orientation.
Mike Rogers’ national security claims at the Senate debate
During a recent political debate, Republican candidate Mike Rogers used these donor connections to challenge El-Sayed's fitness for office. Rogers questioned whether the Democratic candidate prioritizes American interests or overseas terrorist organizations. He specifically alleged that El-Sayed's campaign is being "bought off" by the Muslim Brotherhood and suggested that the donor pool includes supporters of Hamas and Hezbollah.
Rogers concluded by framing the candidate's background as a direct risk to United States national security. These accusations attempt to link the candidate's financial support directly to the controversial 2012 letter and the broader political activities of the signers.
The missing response from the El-Sayed campaign
Despite the specific allegations regarding the 2012 letter and the identity of the donors, several questions remain unaddressed by the El-Sayed camp . It is currently unknown how the candidate reconciles his current platform with the purge-supporting stance taken in 2012. Additionally, the source material does not provide a formal rebuttal from El-Sayed regarding the specific claims made by Mike Rogers. The public is left to wonder if these donations represent a broader ideological alignment or if the candidate intends to clarify his relationship with these specifc Michigan-based donors.
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