LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Seventeen pastors in Michigan are backing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate.

El-Sayed said the endorsement by the Christian leaders centers on “shared values that unite us in the work of service.”

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However, it raises a question about the “shared values” with those Christian pastors since El-Sayed is an outspoken Muslim. In addition, he refuses to walk back antisemitic and anti-American comments. Last month, he incited a “F*** ICE” chant while speaking at the University of Michigan. Audio revealed that El-Sayed told his campaign team that “There are a lot of people in Dearborn who are sad today,” when referencing the death of Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei in March. In August 2025 while participating in the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, El-Sayed said Democrats should deal with Republicans and “choke them out.”

El-Sayed’s campaign has accepted donations from the Dearborn Heights-based Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi who is known for chanting “death to America.” In addition, El-Sayed has refused to denounce his affiliation with digital influencer and antisemite Hasan Piker.

Michigan News Source reached out to twelve of the pastors who endorsed El-Sayed to ask how their endorsement aligns with the Christian faith. None responded by press time.

The pastors who endorsed El-Sayed include: Rev. Dr. Tellis Chapman (Detroit), Pastor Robert Davis (Saginaw), Pastor Jerry Bishop (Grand Rapids), Pastor Rodney Tolbert and Evangelist Sandra Tolbert (Pontiac), Rev. Israel Siku (Grand Rapids), Pastor Michael Dorsey (Detroit), Bishop Alan Evans (Detroit), Pastor Larry Davis (Ypsilanti), Rev. Curtis Williams (Detroit), Pastor Lionel Anthony (Detroit), Pastor Jack Perkins (Detroit), Rev. Dr Anthony Johnson (Redford), Bishop James Atterberry (Benton Harbor), Pastor Steven McCoy (Grand Rapids), Pastor Marcallus Sunday (Saginaw), Pastor Troy Evans (Grand Rapids), Pastor Ryan Johnson (Detroit).