Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, once addressed allegations that he had connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization known for its advocacy of Islamic legal principles, commonly referred to as Sharia law, as a framework for governance.
During a 2018 Michigan gubernatorial forum, El-Sayed retorted, "Now, you may not hate Muslims. But I’ll tell you, Muslims definitely hate you." This statement was made in response to a line of questioning from Michigan legislator Patrick Colbeck, who had probed El-Sayed about his religious affiliations. The exchange underscored El-Sayed's frustration with attempts to associate his Muslim faith with groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and to imply he would seek to establish Sharia law as the legal system.
Colbeck, who was also a gubernatorial candidate at the time, focused his criticisms on the Muslim Brotherhood during the panel discussion. He alleged that El-Sayed had ties to the Muslim Students Association (MSA), a group that Mohamed Akram, identified as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, reportedly included in a strategic memorandum for North America. El-Sayed served as vice president of the MSA chapter at the University of Michigan in 2007 during his senior year, according to reports.
"This is very serious stuff, guys. This is about civilization jihad," Colbeck stated.
El-Sayed's Defense and Constitutional Oath
Colbeck's remarks prompted the moderator of the 2018 panel to directly question El-Sayed: "Is Sharia Law instituted here in the state of Michigan a real concern?"
El-Sayed seized the opportunity to refute Colbeck's assertions, emphasizing his commitment to upholding the existing legal framework if elected.
"I solemnly swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this state — that’s the oath that if any one of us is elected, we will swear. I take that oath particularly seriously because it guarantees me the right to pray as I choose to pray," El-Sayed asserted. "Sharia law is not in question in this state."
The Muslim Brotherhood's Stance and International Designations
While the United States does not classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, several other nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Russia, have done so, citing the group's history of armed activities.
The Muslim Brotherhood publicly renounced violence in the 1970s. However, since then, it has continued to advocate for the codification of Muslim religious tenets in countries globally. In a 2012 document, the organization issued a statement on Islamic law and national identity, articulating its position.
"That is an integral part of the Muslim Brotherhood’s concept of Islamic law or Sharia, which is the most important issue that preoccupies us and which we seek to establish in society, and for which we have offered our dear brothers for martyrdom, imprisonment and persecution over long decades," the group stated.
Broader Concerns Over Sharia Law in America
The notion of Muslims utilizing the American electoral process to implement Islamic code as the law of the land has generated apprehension among various lawmakers. Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, and others believe that many principles of Sharia are incompatible with American cultural values.
"America is facing a threat that directly attacks our Constitution and our Western values: the spread of Sharia law," Roy stated in a 2025 press release. "From Texas to every state in this constitutional republic, instances of Sharia adherents masquerading as ‘refugees’ — and in many cases, sleeper cells connected to terrorist organizations — are threatening the American way of life. Those who succumb to this political ideology seek to replace our legal system and Constitution. Under Sharia law, there is no freedom of speech, religion or women’s rights."
Elsewhere, the increasing number of Muslim representatives and a growing Muslim population in areas such as Dearborn, Michigan, have led some critics to suggest that a perceived preference or leniency toward Muslim individuals itself constitutes a form of implementation. Pastor Lorenzo Sewell of 180 Church voiced his concerns during a town council meeting in Dearborn, calling for council members to denounce the Muslim code.
"America, we have lost this city. This is a city that is no longer up under American laws; we are up under Sharia law. We will not have it anymore," Sewell proclaimed.
According to the 2020 U.S. census, approximately 54.5% of Dearborn residents reported Middle Eastern or North African ancestry.
El-Sayed Campaign's Current Stance
Regarding his current position, El-Sayed's campaign has affirmed his belief in the separation of church and state. "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," the campaign stated earlier this year.