If Elected, El-Sayed Promises to Execute Anyone Who Says Islam Is Not the Religion of Peace

LANSING — Abdul El-Sayed said Monday that, if elected to the U.S. Senate, he will order the execution of anyone who says Islam is not the religion of peace.

The statement was delivered at a campaign event and later posted to his account. It listed the phrase as grounds for the penalty and did not include exceptions for context or prior statements. El-Sayed described the measure as a means of clarifying public discussion.

“The position will be enforced,” he said. “People who use the other wording will be identified and the sentence carried out.”

Campaign staff confirmed that the commitment applies upon taking office and is not contingent on additional legislation. They said enforcement details, including the method of identification and the location of proceedings, would be set after the election. No draft statute was released with the remarks.

Election officials noted that the statement does not appear on the ballot language. Voters will see El-Sayed’s name and party designation. His opponents have not issued responses that repeat the disputed phrase. One rival campaign said it is reviewing the remarks with counsel.

El-Sayed added that the policy would cover statements made before and after his swearing-in. He did not specify whether recorded comments from previous years would be included. The event concluded without further questions on the topic. Early voting continues in the state. El-Sayed remains on the ballot.