The Texas imam who once opened the House with a prayer is under fire after a social post celebrating Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death, and Rep. Beth Van Duyne is moving to formally condemn him while warning about broader threats to American civility and values. The controversy spotlights past remarks by the imam, concerns about ties to extremist groups, and a push by a Republican congresswoman to challenge the invitation that brought him to the Capitol. This article lays out the remarks, the political response, and why conservative leaders say this crosses a line.
A Dallas-area imam who prayed in the House chamber in 2019 posted, “In other news, Lindsey Graham is dead,” followed by “Bye Lindsey. May you live an eternity in ruins for the ruins you helped create in Gaza. Ameen.” Those words landed like a punch in Washington, especially coming from someone who had been asked to offer an invocation before lawmakers. For many Republicans the post was proof that inviting controversial voices into the Capitol has consequences.
Rep. Beth Van Duyne announced she plans to introduce a resolution condemning Omar Suleiman, the president and co-founder of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. “This type of action from a religious leader that claims to preach about love and not hate needs to be condemned,” Van Duyne told Fox News Digital in an interview. “That was anything but love. That was depravity.”
Van Duyne represents the district where Suleiman lives and says members of both parties should be willing to denounce this kind of rhetoric. “Is this really what you believe—that you’re going to take a sitting senator who has just died, and you’re going to condemn his soul to an eternity of ruins because you don’t agree with his politics?” she asked. Her argument is simple: respect for human life and basic decency should be nonpartisan.
The late Sen. Graham was a stalwart supporter of Israel and a vocal backer of Ukraine and Taiwan, positions that made him a target for hardline critics. Republicans note his long record standing up to authoritarian regimes and argue that celebrating his death is not only cruel but a dangerous sign of eroding norms. Van Duyne says the post reflects a deeper cultural shift toward vindictiveness and tribal hatred.
The resolution also points to Suleiman’s history, alleging he has “defended convicted terrorists” and traveled to Turkey to support members of the Muslim Brotherhood, a group that has been controversial and restricted in some contexts. Suleiman is accused of making other inflammatory remarks in the past, and those incidents factored into the backlash over his latest message. Suleiman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Van Duyne calls out those Democrats who invited Suleiman to the House, saying they share responsibility for the platform he was given. She argues that if elected officials extend invitations to religious leaders, they should be prepared to answer for the views those leaders express. For many conservatives this episode underscores concerns about vetting and judgment in who is allowed to speak in the halls of government.
Beyond the individual incident, the measure highlights a broader worry about the spread of ideologies seen as incompatible with American values. The resolution notes Sharia law’s “incompatibility” with constitutional principles and argues that public officials must be vigilant against efforts to normalize competing legal systems. Van Duyne, who served as mayor of Irving before Congress, has long warned about radical ideologies making inroads in local communities.
Van Duyne also used the resolution to honor Graham’s service and personal support during her campaigns, calling him blunt but fair. “When he didn’t agree with somebody, he would tell them,” she said, “But it was never in a hateful, malicious manner, and I think we have lost the soul of debate. We have lost the soul of actual compromise in this country.” Her push is meant to draw a line: respect for opponents and basic decency should be restored in public life.
Darnell Thompkins is a conservative opinion writer from Atlanta, GA, known for his insightful commentary on politics, culture, and community issues. With a passion for championing traditional values and personal responsibility, Darnell brings a thoughtful Southern perspective to the national conversation. His writing aims to inspire meaningful dialogue and advocate for policies that strengthen families and empower individuals.