Dem congressional candidate from Michigan appears at conference featuring radical Islamic rhetoric

Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib reportedly made multiple appearances at an Islamic conference that featured "radicals" and anti-Israel rhetoric, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

What happened?

Tlaib's name appeared multiple times on the Islamic Society of North America's annual conference agenda, the report states. She appeared “alongside numerous radical figures, including individuals who have defended terrorist groups, openly called for violence against Israel, and pushed for extreme punishments for homosexuals,” according to the report.

Tlaib won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives seat from Michigan's 13th congressional district. She has no Republican challenger. Tliab, who is seeking to fill the seat of Rep. John Conyers, who resigned in December, has also been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.

What has she said about Israel?

Since her primary win, Tlaib has vowed to vote against aid to Israel if elected to Congress.

The Islamic Society of North America was believed to be a group helping the Muslim Brotherhood’s agenda to advance its mission in the U.S., according to the Free Beacon. On its website, ISNA distances itself from the Muslim Brotherhood and says it is not currently and has never been controlled by an outside group.

ISNA’s website also says it "rejects all acts of terrorism, including those perpetrated by Hamas, Hezbollah and any other group that claims Islam as their inspiration."

Also scheduled to speak Saturday was Black Lives Matter activist Shaun King and activist journalist Mehdi Hassan. On Wednesday, Hassan defended the idea that the creation of Israel was racist, and Israel practiced "ethnic cleansing."

Tlaib’s other appearances included a Saturday evening session titled, "Unapologetically Muslim,” according to the report. During the panel discussion, anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour reportedly warned Muslims against "humanizing" Israelis.

Anything else?

Prior to the conference, ISNA was criticized for pulling Wajahat Ali from its agenda. Ali wrote a column in May for The Atlantic.

"...I was disinvited from the 55th annual conference of the Islamic Society of North America, which proclaims itself one of the leading American Muslim organizations," Ali wrote. "My crimes? Talking to Zionists, writing an article about it, and thanking God for a bowel movement."

In the past, ISNA has revoked invitations for other groups, including Muslims for Progressive Values and the Human Rights Campaign. Both groups support LGBT rights and were reportedly told by ISNA organizers they "don't fit in."

Kyle Shideler, a "radical Islam" expert told the news outlet a list of speakers at this year's ISNA conference shows its ongoing, radical shift.

"The speakers attending this year's ISNA Convention once again remind us that despite their claims to the contrary, ISNA has not strayed far from it's roots as a Muslim Brotherhood group," Shideler said, adding that he views it as a mistake for Tlaib to attend. "The notion that any politician would treat ISNA's annual convention, populated by such speakers, as an acceptable place to meet and greet remains deeply troubling."