TRUMP CALLS ABDUL EL-SAYED A JIHADIST

US President Donald Trump called Abdul El-Sayed “a jihadist” at a Michigan rally on Sunday, as the Democratic US Senate candidate campaigns against Republican Mike Rogers. Trump invoked the 11 September attacks and introduced the father of Todd Beamer, who fought back against the hijackers of United Airlines Flight 93 with other passengers. Trump also said El-Sayed would “have to go through a metal detector before he's allowed to go into the Senate”. He alleged that El-Sayed belonged to the Muslim Brotherhood and made allegations about his family. Critics condemned his remarks as Islamophobic.

At a separate rally, El-Sayed answered Trump's use of his middle name, Mohamed: “I'll be Senator Mohamed to you, bro.” He said: “They think that by pointing at my name and my faith, that somehow you're going to ignore the fact that you can't afford your gas or your groceries, can't see a doctor.” Senator Bernie Sanders appeared alongside El-Sayed and accused Trump and his allies of using Islamophobia. El-Sayed previously denied any connection to extremist groups in response to attacks from Trump and Rogers. A former public health official, he was born in the United States to Egyptian parents.

El-Sayed and Rogers face voters on 3 November in a race for a seat currently held by the Democrats. The contest is among a handful that could determine control of the US Senate. El-Sayed would become the first Muslim elected to the Senate if he wins. Trump warned at the rally that an El-Sayed victory would bring “hordes of jihadis” to the United States and lead to violence and terror.