PHILADELPHIA – January 20, 2025 – An extremist imam of Iraqi origins who glorifies Hezbollah failed to give a scheduled benediction at President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony today. Imam Husham Al-Husainy’s absence followed a Middle East Forum (MEF) report revealing his statements and associations, triggering media coverage and calls to disinvite the Michigan-based imam.
Sam Westrop, director of MEF’s Islamist Watch project, published an article on Jan. 13 in Focus on Western Islamism detailing Al-Husainy’s activities as imam of the Karbalaa Islamic Center in Dearborn, Michigan, from where he expressed support for the Iranian regime and designated terrorist organization Hezbollah and organized 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 from national media outlets like the New York Post and Fox News, as well as international coverage from 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 program 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 Sam Westrop. “It also points to the utility of MEF’s Focus on Western Islamism publication.”
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