Minnesota Governor's Ties to Controversial Cleric

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing scrutiny over his connections to Imam Asad Zaman, who has made controversial statements praising Adolf Hitler and supporting Hamas following the recent attacks on Israel. Zaman, who leads the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, has a history of sharing antisemitic content on social media, including links to a pro-Hitler film and official Hamas press releases. Reports indicate that Walz’s administration has donated over $100,000 to Zaman's organization, raising questions about the governor's associations. In the wake of the October 7 attacks, Zaman publicly questioned whether Rep. Katie Porter would support the Palestinian right to self-defense, while his group reaffirmed its support for Palestinians against Israeli occupation. Zaman's involvement with Walz has included participation in various events, such as a mosque security meeting and a Ramadan celebration, further complicating the narrative surrounding the governor's relationships. Additionally, Zaman has expressed solidarity with Palestinians in the context of the recent violence, sharing a Palestinian flag image on social media that criticized the Biden-Harris administration's stance on Israel. His previous engagements with Walz include advocating for peaceful protests during the Black Lives Matter movement and delivering an invocation at a state address. As the controversy unfolds, the Harris-Walz campaign has not responded to requests for comment, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the implications of these associations for the governor's administration.