The Michigan imam who was to have given a benediction at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday failed to appear after details of his pro-Hezbollah sentiments were made public.

Imam Husham Al-Husainy’s absence followed a report by the Middle East Forum (MEF) revealing his statements and associations. This triggered media coverage and calls to disinvite the imam.

The MEF describes itself as “a non-profit organization (that) promotes American interests in the Middle East and protects Western civilization from Islamism”.

Sam Westrop, director of MEF’s Islamist Watch project, published an article on 13 January in Focus on Western Islamism, which is published by the MEF.

The article detailed Al-Husainy’s activities as imam of the Karbalaa Islamic Center in Dearborn, Michigan, where he expressed support for the Iranian regime and designated terrorist organisation Hezbollah, and organised rallies denouncing Saudis as “agents of the Jews”.

Daniel Greenfield of the David Horowitz Freedom Center simultaneously exposed the imam’s support for the Iran-backed Houthis and Iraqi militias.

This reporting led to coverage by the New York Post and Fox News, as well as international coverage by Persian, Hebrew, and Turkish-language news outlets.

A public outcry from Trump supporters called for Al-Husainy to be dropped from the inauguration proceedings.

A days-early version of the inauguration programme listed Al-Husainy. The final version showed the imam removed.

“The case of Imam Al-Husainy points to the power of informed journalism to foster accountability and ensure that the government reflects the nation’s values,” said Westrop. “It also points to the utility of MEF’s Focus on Western Islamism publication.”

[Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/54234406052]


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