Abdul El-Sayed’s father linked to board of Islamic charity accused of aiding Saddam Hussein

The father of Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed serves on the board of an Islamic charity previously accused of transferring funds to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s regime.

According to the New York Post, Imam Mohammed El-Sayed is a board member of Life for Relief and Development, a Michigan-based organisation investigated over alleged sanctions violations.

US military personnel and FBI agents raided the charity’s Baghdad facilities in 2004 amid suspicions of financial misconduct.

Federal authorities subsequently accused the organisation of transferring money through Jordan into Iraq.

“LRD’s highest management levels—i.e., its President—knew of the conduct giving rise to the apparent violations and directed the funds transfers to Iraq via Jordan,” US authorities stated.

The charity reached a $780,000 settlement with the government in 2014.

A former public relations coordinator also pleaded guilty to violating federal sanctions laws.

The report did not establish any wrongdoing by Abdul El-Sayed or his father.

His campaign and the charity were contacted for comment.