Eman Abdelhadi's "October 7th Blessing" Video Draws Scrutiny Amid Hamas Anniversary

Eman Abdelhadi, a professor at the University of Chicago and the half-sister of Michigan Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, has come under scrutiny for a video she posted on October 7, 2024. Described as an "October 7th blessing," the video was shared exactly one year after Hamas militants launched widespread attacks, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people.

Controversial "Blessing" and Public Reaction

In the Instagram video, Abdelhadi initiated her message by stating, "I want to say, Allahu Akbar." She then elaborated on the phrase's significance, explaining, "That phrase means God is greater, and it's an important phrase in the Muslim tradition." Abdelhadi reflected on her thoughts over the preceding year:

"It's one that I've been thinking about a lot over the last year, because it's a phrase that reminds us that no matter how great the brutality, the oppression, the intensity of what we're going through, the horizon of justice is just around the corner."

Throughout her video commemorating the anniversary, Abdelhadi did not explicitly mention the Jewish individuals killed by Hamas. She appeared in the video wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional garment often associated with Palestinian movements.

She continued her reflections, stating, "There is something greater than even the strongest armies, and, for me, that's God. Reflecting on that reaffirms my commitment to justice, my commitment not to get caught up in the narratives that colonial powers enforce on us. … I hope you know that we have a lot of work ahead of us and that we need each other to do that work. We have an imperative to not just imagine a better future, but to build one together. I’ll see you on the streets."

The video, posted on October 7, 2024, was a collaborative effort between Abdelhadi’s account and "Rabbis4Ceasefire." The latter organization described the post in its caption as an "October 7th blessing from Eman Abdelhadi, Scholar, Writer & Organizer."

Following public discourse, Abdelhadi added a new comment on Friday, clarifying that Rabbis4Ceasefire had organized and named the event as "a moment of grief for lives lost between 10/7/23 and 10/7/2024," and had invited her to participate, with the video serving as her "offering" to the gathering.

The resurfacing of the video quickly ignited sharp criticism across social media platforms, including X. "Jewish Michiganders are proudly putting country over party and rejecting Abdul El-Sayed’s extremism. We must put country over party and elect Mike Rogers," posted Democrats for Mike Rogers, a group supporting El-Sayed's Republican opponent. Commentator Eyal Yakoby also weighed in, writing, "Abdul El-Sayed's Sister, Eman Abdelhadi, recorded a celebration video in reaction to October 7th."

Previous Activism and Legal Issues

Abdelhadi has a history of activism that has previously led to legal challenges. In October 2025, she was arrested following allegations that she spat on an Illinois state trooper during protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center located in suburban Chicago. She subsequently faced two felony charges for aggravated battery to a government employee and two misdemeanor charges for resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

Abdul El-Sayed's Campaign and Related Controversies

Eman Abdelhadi’s half-brother, Abdul El-Sayed, has also generated considerable debate during his Senate campaign due to his public statements regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. For instance, on the second anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks, El-Sayed circulated a fundraising email that criticized the Israeli government’s military actions but did not acknowledge Hamas’ initial acts of violence. The Michigan Democrat has also drawn criticism for equating Hamas and the Israeli government, characterizing both as "evil."

Furthermore, El-Sayed has faced scrutiny for his ongoing association and campaign appearances with streamer Hasan Piker, who once controversially stated that America "deserved 9/11." While El-Sayed has publicly dismissed Piker’s comment as "dumb," he has chosen not to disavow the streamer, instead accusing critics of engaging in "cancel culture."

Responding to the focus on Abdelhadi's actions, El-Sayed's campaign released a statement emphasizing his own candidacy: "But Abdul is the one on the ballot, and his record of public service and his platform is what matters to voters here in Michigan. His campaign has always been about his love for America and Michigan."