- President-elect Donald Trump has invited Husham Al-Husainy, the imam of the Karbala Islamic Educational Center, to deliver a benediction at his inauguration on Jan. 20.
- Al-Husainy has been criticized for his alleged extremist views, including his refusal to label Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and his alleged wish for Saudi Arabia's destruction.
- Despite his controversial history, Al-Husainy has expressed support for Trump, stating that he leans towards the president-elect because he found him closer to the Bible, the Torah and the Quran.
- The decision to invite Al-Husainy has sparked debate, with critics arguing that it undermines efforts to foster unity and bridge cultural divides.
- Proponents of the decision argue that it reflects Trump's commitment to inclusivity, despite his controversial history.
In a controversial decision, President-elect Donald Trump has invited Husham Al-Husainy, the imam of the Karbala Islamic Educational Center in Dearborn, Michigan, to deliver a benediction at his upcoming inauguration on Jan. 20.
Al-Husainy, who has been described as "a radical anti-Semitic, pro-Hezbollah Shia imam" by the conservative nonprofit Middle East Forum, is among four religious leaders scheduled to speak immediately after Trump's address.
Al-Husainy, who arrived in the United States in the 1970s to study aeronautical engineering, has been an active member of the Dearborn Muslim community for over two decades. He gained significant attention in 2007 when, during a Fox News interview, he refused to refer to Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, instead stating, "Hezbollah is a Lebanese organization. And I've got nothing to do with that."
The Middle East Forum claims that Al-Husainy has a "significant history of extremism." They cite an incident in 2015 when Al-Husainy allegedly wished for Saudi Arabia's destruction during a rally at the Karbalaa Islamic Educational Center. Additionally, the group reports that Al-Husainy attended a 2006 "pro-Hezbollah rally" in Dearborn, where he held a photo of then-Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on stage.
Al-Husainy supports Trump
Al-Husainy has expressed support for Trump, stating in October 2024, "I lean toward Mr. Trump because I found him closer to the Bible, the Torah and the Quran." Al-Husainy added that the country "deserves to have a strong leader where he can bring peace in this world," during an interview with Fox News.
Al-Husainy's support for Trump has been echoed by other Muslim leaders in Michigan, a state with a significant Arab-American and Muslim-American community. During Trump's campaign rallies in the state, local leaders endorsed the then-candidate, emphasizing his promises to bring "peace and prosperity to the Middle East."
The decision to invite Al-Husainy to the inauguration ceremony has sparked debate among observers and politicians. The inclusion of a religious leader with known extremist ties has raised concerns about the message it sends regarding inclusivity and tolerance.
Critics argue that the decision undermines the president-elect's attempts to foster unity and bridge cultural divides. Others, however, see it as a reflection of Trump's commitment to inclusivity, despite his controversial history.
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