John Colter

FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN TO BIN LADEN'S SUDAN: WHAT THE DOCUMENTS REVEAL Steven Emerson and the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) @TheIPT have uncovered another significant piece of the University of Michigan Muslim Students' Association's history, raising questions about the organization's connections to influential Islamist figures. In September 2005, the MSA newsletter Al-Risalah published an account by political chair Shimaa Abdel-Fadeel describing her visit to Sudan, including a dinner with Hassan al-Turabi. Who was Hassan al-Turabi, and why does this matter? Al-Turabi was a leading figure in Sudan's Islamist movement, a former secretary-general of Sudan's Muslim Brotherhood, and the leader of the National Islamic Front. He also played a central role in providing Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda with a sanctuary in Sudan. The 9/11 Commission Report documents that al-Turabi encouraged bin Laden to relocate his organization to Sudan, allowing the country to become a base for worldwide business operations and preparations for jihad. But the historical record goes further. A 1992 U.S. diplomatic cable documents al-Turabi urging Muslims to establish an "Islamic system" in their countries while rejecting what he described as Western attempts to impose a new world order. A 1994 U.S. diplomatic cable reports al-Turabi telling students that establishing an Islamic state required jihad. He described the Western coalition as a principal adversary and asserted that jihad frightened the West because of the weakness of Western civilization. Now consider what Emerson's investigation uncovered. Abdel-Fadeel subsequently served on the University of Michigan MSA board alongside vice president Abdul El-Sayed. Her published account described meeting the same Islamist leader who helped provide bin Laden and al-Qaeda with the sanctuary from which they expanded their terrorist operations. This is a normalization of al-Qaeda that was never pushed back on in real-time, and it raises serious questions about how the MSA leadership viewed al-Turabi and his role in facilitating al-Qaeda's presence in Sudan. This Sunday, November 1st, I'll have @John_Rossomando on @The_Watch_Floor to further discuss the Muslim Brotherhood in America, its organizational networks, historical connections, and the national security implications. Understanding these networks requires following the evidence, examining the documents, and asking difficult questions about the relationships they reveal. READ THE SOURCE DOCUMENTS HERE: IPT Investigation — Part 3: investigativeproject.org/946… University of Michigan MSA Newsletter (September 2005): web.archive.org/web/20070110… 9/11 Commission Report — Bin Laden Moves to Sudan: 9-11commission.gov/report/91… 1992 U.S. Diplomatic Cable — Hassan al-Turabi: wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/9… 1994 U.S. Diplomatic Cable — Hassan al-Turabi and Jihad: wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/9…

PART 6 | IN HIS OWN WORDS The final installment examines El-Sayed's own statements and writings about Israel, Hamas, Iran, and the Muslim Brotherhood. Emerson reviews past essays, interviews, town hall exchanges, and campaign statements before concluding with ten questions he argues remain unanswered. Read Part 6: investigativeproject.org/946…

PART 5 | THE COMPANY HE KEEPS Emerson examines El-Sayed's relationships with political allies, activists, community organizers, and public figures. The reporting covers a 2021 Palestine rally, connections to the Michigan Muslim Youth Council, and more recent political events. It raises questions about the significance of these associations while documenting the activities and statements of the individuals involved. Read Part 5: investigativeproject.org/946…

EXPOSING THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD'S NETWORK: WHAT MICHIGAN VOTERS NEED TO KNOW I want to thank Steven Emerson and the Investigative Project on Terrorism @TheIPT for the extensive work behind this six-part investigation: El-Sayed in the Brotherhood's Orbit The investigation examines Abdul El-Sayed's longstanding associations with organizations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood's network in the U.S. Drawing on declassified FBI records, internal Brotherhood documents, archived communications, and hundreds of hours of recordings, Emerson presents evidence that deserves serious public scrutiny. I'm particularly flagging this investigation for my friends in Michigan, but its implications go well beyond one state or one political candidate. We cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand when it comes to the Muslim Brotherhood's history, networks, and efforts to gain influence in American institutions. These are legitimate national security concerns, and political convenience should never take precedence over examining the evidence. The American people deserve to know who is seeking positions of power, what organizations they have been involved with, and what those relationships mean. I'll share all six installments below so you can examine the investigation for yourself. Full investigation: investigativeproject.org/946…