Husham al-Husainy, imam of the Karbalaa Islamic Educational Center in Dearborn, Michigan, is one of four religious leaders scheduled to give a benediction at Trump’s second inauguration on Jan. 20, according to the official program. Rabbi Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, is one of the remaining three.
Al-Husainy’s selection has caused alarm among many activists, who have pointed out his history of antisemitism and terror ties.
A new report by the Middle East Forum stated that the Dearborn imam is “pro-Hezbollah.” In 2006, he spoke at a rally supporting the Lebanese terror organization and “held the picture of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah aloft on the stage,” according to the report.
A year later, he appeared on the FOX News show “Hannity & Colmes,” where he refused to call Hezbollah a terror organization.
The report also outlines a documented history of antisemitism. At a rally in 2015, hosted at the center, he wished death upon Saudi Arabia and denounced Saudis as “agents of the Jews” whose “Zionist” planes “rain down” death upon the people of Yemen.
“Why is this terror supporter being invited to deliver the benediction at Trump’s inauguration?” wrote Amy Mekelburg, founder of the nonprofit Resistance Against Islamic Radicals.
“This is the alleged Hezbollah-endorsed imam who will hold a speech at Trump’s inauguration. What the hell is happening?” wrote social media personality Nioh Berg, accompanied by a video of al-Husainy saying “Oh agents of the Jews” in Arabic. The video is also in the Middle East Monitor report.