New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who campaigned as a moderate Democrat, visited a mosque with documented ties to the nation’s largest Hamas terror-financing operation, raising serious questions about political judgment as Americans fight and die in a war against Iran.
Story Highlights
- Governor Sherrill attended Ramadan services at Islamic Center of Passaic County on March 20, 2026, praising the mosque’s “good works”
- Mosque co-founder Mohammad El-Mezain was convicted in 2009 for funneling money to Hamas through the Holy Land Foundation
- Host Imam Mohammad Qatanani faced deportation proceedings over alleged 1993 Israeli conviction for Hamas membership and 2017 “new intifada” speech
- Visit occurs amid U.S. war with Iran and growing MAGA frustration over foreign entanglements and support for Israel
- Sherrill’s outreach to controversial religious leaders contradicts her moderate campaign promises
Governor’s Controversial Mosque Visit
Governor Mikie Sherrill attended Ramadan services at the Islamic Center of Passaic County in Paterson on March 20, 2026, wearing a headscarf and meeting with Imam Mohammad Qatanani. She posted photos on Facebook thanking the mosque community for embodying Islam’s “five pillars” and doing “good works” for struggling residents. The visit drew immediate backlash after the Washington Free Beacon broke the story on March 24, highlighting the mosque’s documented connections to Hamas terror financing. Sherrill, who won office in 2025 as a self-described moderate, has not responded to the growing controversy.
Mosque’s Terror-Financing Convictions
The Islamic Center of Passaic County was founded in 1989 with direct ties to the Holy Land Foundation, which became the largest terror-financing prosecution in U.S. history. Co-founder Mohammad El-Mezain was convicted in 2008-2009 of conspiracy to provide material support to Hamas through the Foundation. Another associated figure, former imam Mohammed Al-Hanooti, allegedly raised six million dollars for Hamas during the 1990s, according to Islamic Horizons magazine. These convictions are not disputed allegations but established federal court findings that demonstrate the mosque’s institutional connections to designated terrorist organizations.
Imam’s Deportation Battle and Hamas Allegations
Imam Mohammad Qatanani, who hosted Governor Sherrill, has fought deportation proceedings since 2006 over allegations of Hamas membership. The Department of Homeland Security cited Israeli military documents claiming Qatanani was convicted in 1993 for providing support to Hamas, though he allegedly failed to disclose prior imprisonment when applying for permanent residency in 1999. DHS also pointed to his 2017 Times Square speech calling for a “new intifada” against President Trump’s Jerusalem recognition. While Qatanani defended the speech as peaceful protest and U.S. courts ultimately ruled against deportation in 2025, the federal government’s persistent legal action underscores serious concerns about his background and activities.
Betrayal of Moderate Campaign Promises
Sherrill’s visit represents a fundamental betrayal of the moderate positions she campaigned on during her 2025 gubernatorial race. While New Jersey has a significant Muslim population in Paterson, legitimizing a mosque with proven terror-financing connections crosses a line that undermines national security and insults Americans currently deployed against Iranian-backed forces. The timing is particularly galling as MAGA supporters increasingly question why American blood and treasure are being spent on Middle East conflicts while political leaders embrace organizations with documented ties to the very terrorism we’re supposedly fighting. This isn’t about religious tolerance; it’s about basic vetting and judgment.
Pattern of Democratic Radicalization
Sherrill’s mosque visit follows a broader pattern of Democratic politicians courting controversial Islamist organizations despite their troubling backgrounds. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced similar criticism for outreach to radical groups. These visits occur as Americans face “multiple attacks from supporters of radical Islamism after the start of the Iran war,” according to reports. The Democratic Party’s shift from Bill Clinton-era moderation to embracing figures associated with designated terrorist organizations reflects the same disconnection from common sense that gave us open borders, wasteful spending, and endless foreign wars. Voters who supported Sherrill expecting centrist governance are discovering that “moderate Democrat” has become an oxymoron, particularly on issues touching national security and terrorism.
Sources:
NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill Visits Mosque Run by a Radical Imam With Hamas Ties – Townhall
