Iraqi-American imam to speak at Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony

Husham Al-Husainy, director of the Karbala Islamic Education Center in Dearborn, Michigan, will speak at Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on January 20. The Shiite imam will share the podium with other religious leaders, including Pastor Lorenzo Sewell and Rabbi Ari Berman.

An important figure in Dearborn’s Muslim community for more than twenty years, Al-Husainy publicly supported Trump during his campaign, praising his desire to “bring peace to the region.” His intervention takes place in a context of rapprochement between the former president and the Arab-Muslim community of Michigan, disappointed by the Biden administration on the Gaza issue.

This symbolic appointment comes as Trump seeks to expand his electoral base in Michigan, a key state where the Arab-Muslim community represents significant electoral weight. During his campaign meetings in Novi, several local Muslim leaders had already shown their support, citing in particular his promises of peace in the Middle East.

The ceremony will mark Donald Trump’s return to the White House after his victory against Kamala Harris last November. Several international leaders, including Xi Jinping who declined the invitation and Giorgia Meloni, were invited to the event.