Michigan imam celebrated Graham's death, prayed for Trump's demise

A prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric in Michigan, Mohammad Baqer Qazwini, delivered a sermon on July 17 that included celebrations of the death of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and prayers for President Donald Trump's demise. Qazwini made these remarks during a Friday sermon at the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights, with footage published by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

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I had awakened to very good news following Graham’s death and said Allah had taken the senator’s soul to hell.

Qazwini stated he awoke to "very good news" regarding Graham's death, asserting that Allah had sent the senator to hell. He accused Graham of responsibility for the "genocide in Gaza" and civilian deaths in Lebanon, describing the senator's passing as an unexpected divine retribution. The cleric then directed his attention to President Trump, asking worshippers to pray that Allah would also take "the friend of Lindsey Graham."

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He blamed Graham for what he called the 'genocide in Gaza' and for the deaths of civilians in Lebanon, and described the senator’s death as 'a slap' from Allah that Graham had not anticipated.

The political implications of Qazwini's sermon gained further significance when he endorsed Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat, in a subsequent sermon on July 31. Qazwini declared that Muslim men and women had a responsibility to elect El-Sayed, highlighting his Muslim identity and his commitment to issues important to Muslims in the United States.

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He asked worshippers to raise their hands and pray that Allah would also take 'the friend of Lindsey Graham,' referring to the president.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch supporter of Israel and close ally of Trump, died on July 11 at the age of 71. His death prompted tributes from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called Graham "one of Israel's greatest friends." El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health director, narrowly won the Democratic nomination and is set to face Republican former congressman Mike Rogers in November. If elected, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim to serve in the U.S. Senate.

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Muslim men and women had a responsibility to elect El-Sayed because he was Muslim and would support issues important to Muslims in the United States.