New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who campaigned as a moderate Democrat, sparked outrage among conservatives after celebrating Ramadan at a mosque whose co-founder was convicted of funneling money to Hamas and whose imam faced deportation over alleged terrorist ties.
Story Snapshot
- Governor Sherrill visited the Islamic Center of Passaic County on March 20, 2026, praising its “good works” despite the mosque’s documented Hamas connections.
- The mosque’s co-founder, Mohammad El-Mezain, was convicted in 2009 for conspiracy to support Hamas through the Holy Land Foundation terror-financing case.
- Imam Mohammad Qatanani, who hosted Sherrill, faced years of deportation proceedings over alleged 1993 Hamas membership and a 2017 speech calling for a “new intifada.”
- The visit comes as Americans grow weary of foreign entanglements, with Trump’s second term marred by an Iran war many supporters oppose.
Sherrill’s Mosque Visit Raises Alarm Over Terror Ties
Governor Mikie Sherrill donned a headscarf and attended Ramadan services at the Islamic Center of Passaic County in Paterson on March 20, 2026. She posted photos on Facebook, thanking the mosque community and praising its embodiment of Islam’s five pillars and charitable work for struggling families. The visit immediately drew fire from conservative outlets, which highlighted the mosque’s troubling history. Co-founder Mohammad El-Mezain was convicted in America’s largest terror-financing case for channeling funds to Hamas through the Holy Land Foundation, a fact that undermines Sherrill’s moderate credentials.
Hamas-Linked History Casts Shadow on Islamic Center
The Islamic Center of Passaic County was founded in 1989 amid scrutiny over ties to Hamas fundraising. El-Mezain’s 2008 conviction for conspiracy to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization established concrete links between the mosque and Hamas. Former imam Mohammed Al-Hanooti allegedly raised six million dollars for Hamas in the 1990s, according to Islamic Horizons magazine. These aren’t vague associations but documented criminal convictions and allegations that federal prosecutors pursued through the courts. For Sherrill to appear at this venue without addressing these facts suggests either ignorance or a willingness to overlook terror ties for political gain.
Imam’s Deportation Battle and Inflammatory Rhetoric
Imam Mohammad Qatanani, who welcomed Sherrill to the mosque, has been embroiled in deportation proceedings for nearly two decades. The Department of Homeland Security filed documents alleging Qatanani was convicted by an Israeli military court in 1993 for Hamas membership. In 2017, Qatanani spoke at a Times Square rally calling for a “new intifada” in response to President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. While Qatanani claimed his speech advocated peaceful protest, the DHS viewed it as incitement to violence. A 2025 Third Circuit Court ruling blocked his deportation, with judges deeming the Israeli evidence of low evidentiary weight, yet the accusations and inflammatory rhetoric persist.
The timing of Sherrill’s visit is particularly troubling. America is now embroiled in a war with Iran that many Trump supporters never wanted, questioning why our troops are fighting overseas while energy costs skyrocket and promises of non-intervention ring hollow. The last thing hardworking Americans need is their own governor legitimizing institutions with documented terror connections, especially as radical Islamist attacks have reportedly increased since the Iran conflict began. This erodes trust in elected officials who claim to represent moderate values while cozying up to figures federal authorities spent years trying to deport.
Moderate Branding Collides with Controversial Outreach
Sherrill won New Jersey’s governorship in 2025 by positioning herself as a moderate alternative to progressive Democrats. Her visit to a Hamas-linked mosque shatters that image, revealing the disconnect between campaign promises and governing choices. Conservative commentators have noted there are no moderate Democrats left, pointing to Sherrill’s embrace of Imam Qatanani as proof. The mosque even segregates women during services, with Sherrill thanking the “sisters in the back” in her remarks, a practice that clashes with the feminism Democrats claim to champion. This hypocrisy fuels conservative arguments that the left prioritizes identity politics over American security and constitutional values.
Critics on social media reacted swiftly, with users labeling Sherrill’s actions as legitimizing Hamas while American and Israeli forces confront enemies in the Middle East. The Washington Free Beacon broke the story on March 24, 2026, amplifying backlash among conservatives frustrated by endless foreign wars and politicians who seem more interested in appeasing fringe groups than defending the nation. Sherrill has not responded to the criticism, leaving voters to wonder whether she stands with law-abiding citizens or with institutions tied to terrorism. For a base already questioning why Trump broke his promise to avoid new wars, Sherrill’s visit adds insult to injury, showcasing how Democratic overreach continues unchecked.
Sources:
NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill Visits Mosque Run by a Radical Imam With Hamas Ties – Townhall
