Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz is facing scrutiny over his connections with Imam Asad Zaman, a controversial Muslim leader accused of extremist views.
Zaman, who leads the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, has been criticized for his support of Palestinians following the October 7 terror attack and for promoting a neo-Nazi propaganda film.
According to a report from the Washington Examiner, Walz, currently the governor of Minnesota, has provided over $100,000 in funding to the Muslim American Society of Minnesota in recent years. Born in Bangladesh, Zaman has been known for his extreme rhetoric and support for controversial causes.
Sam Westrop, director of the Middle East Forum’s Islamist Watch project, criticized Walz for associating with Zaman. “Asad Zaman is one of America’s most prominent Islamist voices with a history of extreme rhetoric and ideas,” Westrop said. He highlighted Zaman’s support for Hamas and his promotion of neo-Nazi propaganda as particularly concerning.
Following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Zaman expressed solidarity with Palestinians in a Facebook post, condemning Israeli actions and urging the U.S. government to pressure Israel to respect Palestinian lives. Zaman also sought to challenge Democratic Congresswoman Katie Porter on her condemnation of the attacks, asking her to reaffirm Palestinians’ right to self-defence.
In addition to his recent statements, Zaman has previously shared links to “The Greatest Story Never Told,” a neo-Nazi film praising Hitler. This film is known for its anti-Semitic and conspiracy theory content.
Critics argue that Walz’s administration has failed to thoroughly vet the organizations and individuals it collaborates with. Westrop questioned how Walz’s office could have missed these issues, suggesting that Walz’s connections with Zaman and funding decisions reflect poorly on his judgment.
Walz, recently selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, has not yet responded to these allegations. His office and Imam Zaman have not provided comments on the matter.
As Walz campaigns alongside Harris, the scrutiny over his associations and funding practices adds to the challenges facing the Democratic ticket in the 2024 election.
