DETROIT, MICHIGAN — Following Dr. Abdul El-Sayed’s success in the Michigan Democratic Senate Primary, social media platforms have been flooded with allegations that he supports the introduction of Sharia law in the United States. The viral claims have generated widespread anxiety and fueled online conspiracy theories regarding the integration of Islamic religious legal systems into American governance.
Claim: Abdul El-Sayed advocated for Sharia laws
The controversy stems from a widely circulated video clip—shared prominently by South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace—which purports to show El-Sayed championing the implementation of Sharia law nationwide.
Sharia, defined as the religious legal framework derived primarily from the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, became the focal point of a narrative suggesting an ongoing effort by Muslims to undermine the U.S. government. Amassing over a million views online, the video prompted immediate backlash against the Democratic candidate, dividing social media users between those convinced of the allegations and skeptics demanding verification.
Fact Check: The claim is misleading
A thorough examination reveals that the viral claim is entirely misleading and takes El-Sayed’s remarks out of context.
The footage originates from an October 2022 address delivered by El-Sayed at an awards banquet hosted by the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Rather than calling for the adoption of religious law, his speech was a critique of Oklahoma’s 2010 State Question 755. That ballot initiative proposed a state constitutional amendment that would have barred state courts from considering Islamic law, or Sharia, in judicial proceedings.
Although Oklahoma voters initially approved the measure, it was successfully blocked in federal court following a legal challenge led by CAIR Oklahoma leader Muneer Awad. The courts ruled that the amendment likely violated constitutional protections by unfairly targeting Islam.
Donald Trump attacks Abdul El-Sayed’s victory
El-Sayed’s primary victory also drew sharp criticism from prominent political figures, including President Donald Trump.
Weighing in on the election results, Trump launched a verbal attack against the Democrat, stating, “When I watch Abdul, he’s full of s**t. Put him in office, you’re going to find out what he loves. He doesn’t love Israel. He doesn’t love Jewish people. He hates them. He hates them with a passion that burns in his heart.”
Trump further amplified his criticisms on Truth Social, taking aim at the state’s electoral administration: “Wayne County (Detroit) in Michigan is one of the most corrupt voting areas in the United States, if not the World. It is strictly Third World! Miracles happen in Wayne County, including more votes being cast than there are voters, by a lot.”