Tim Walz is being blasted for praising a Muslim cleric who supports Hitler and didn’t condemn the Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023.
A recently uncovered video has thrust Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz into the spotlight, raising questions about his association with a controversial Muslim cleric.
Walz Praises Imam Asad Zaman as “Master Teacher”
The newly unearthed footage, revealed by the Washington Examiner on Tuesday, shows Walz, the 60-year-old Minnesota governor, speaking highly of Imam Asad Zaman at a 2018 event hosted by the Muslim American Society of Minnesota.
In the video, Walz states, “I would like to first of all say thank you to Imam. I am a teacher, so when I see a master teacher, I know it.” He further adds, “Over the time we’ve spent together, one of the things I’ve had the privilege of is seeing the things in life through the eye of a master teacher to try and get the understanding, listening today to the stories and what it means.”
Controversial Background of Muslim Cleric Who Supports Hitler
The praise for Zaman has become contentious due to the imam’s controversial history. In 2015, Zaman reportedly promoted a neo-Nazi propaganda film praising Adolf Hitler on Facebook.
More recently, following the October 7 Hamas terror attacks, Zaman posted on Facebook, “MAS reaffirms its unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their struggle against the Israeli occupation,” and criticized Israel’s actions without condemning the attacks.
Reports have emerged that Walz has not only hosted Zaman multiple times but has also allocated over $100,000 in funding to Zaman’s Muslim American Society of Minnesota nonprofit.
During the 2018 event, Walz praised Zaman’s teachings, stating, “It was a lesson when Imam told me to go speak to people,” and emphasized his own efforts to combat Islamophobia.
Campaign Response and Republican Criticism
The Harris-Walz campaign has distanced the governor from Zaman, stating, “The Governor and he do not have a personal relationship,” and asserting that “Governor Walz strongly condemns Hamas terrorism.”
However, the Republican Jewish Coalition has accused Walz of dishonesty regarding his relationship with Zaman. RJC CEO Matt Brooks criticized Walz, stating, “It is an outrage to the American Jewish community that Tim Walz would champion Hitler-promoting cleric Asad Zaman of the Muslim American Society of Minnesota.”
Implications for the Democratic Ticket
This controversy comes at a sensitive time, with rising concerns about antisemitism and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The Republican Jewish Coalition has suggested that this issue could impact voter confidence in the Harris-Walz ticket, potentially influencing the upcoming November elections.
As the story continues to develop, it remains to be seen how this revelation will affect Walz’s position on the Democratic ticket and the broader political landscape.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
