Dallas Muslim leader Omar Suleiman drew backlash after posting a harsh message about the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), writing that the late senator should live “an eternity in ruins.” Suleiman’s post came hours after Graham’s death was announced and focused on Graham’s support for Israel during the war in Gaza. The post quoted several of Graham’s past remarks about Israel and Gaza before ending with the line, “Bye Lindsey.” It also brought renewed attention to Suleiman’s past appearance in Congress, where he delivered the House invocation after being invited by a Democratic lawmaker.
Graham’s office announced that the 71-year-old senator had died after what was described as a “brief and sudden illness” late Saturday. Graham had recently traveled to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The South Carolina Republican had served in the Senate since 2003 and was one of the most visible pro-Israel voices in Congress. His death prompted tributes from allies, while Suleiman’s response immediately stood out for taking a much more hostile tone.
Suleiman’s post began by bluntly noting Graham’s death, then moved directly into Graham’s past comments about Israel. He quoted Graham saying, “I am with Israel. Do whatever the hell you have to do,” then referenced Graham saying, “Level the place,” and, “Do in Gaza what we did in Tokyo and Berlin.” Suleiman then wrote, “Bye Lindsey,” before adding, “May you live an eternity in ruins for the ruins you helped create in Gaza. Ameen.”
Breitbart reported that Rise, Align, Ignite, Reclaim USA Foundation founder Amy Mek highlighted Suleiman’s post on Sunday after Graham’s death had been announced. Mek called the message “an open celebration of an American Senator’s death.” She also described Suleiman as one of America’s “most dangerous Imams” and criticized the lack of government pushback against him. Her post then tied Suleiman’s comment about Graham to his broader political and religious activism.
Mek also criticized Democratic leaders for previously elevating Suleiman. She said Democrats and the “Red-Green alliance” had continued to “embrace and platform him.” She added that they had “invited him to Congress to pray to Allah” and treated him as a respected religious leader. Mek argued that this was especially disturbing because Suleiman had just openly celebrated the death of an American elected official.
Suleiman’s congressional connection came from a 2019 appearance before the U.S. House of Representatives. Breitbart noted that Democrats had invited him that year to deliver the invocation at the opening of the House. Suleiman gave the prayer during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. According to earlier reporting cited in the article, he was invited by then-Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX).
That connection became part of the criticism after Suleiman’s post about Graham. The issue was not only that Suleiman had attacked Graham after his death, but that he had previously been welcomed into one of the most visible ceremonial settings in Congress. His critics argued that Democratic leaders had helped normalize and platform him. Suleiman’s message about Graham then gave another example to point to when arguing that he should never have been treated as a normal religious figure.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Graham’s death by saying Israel had “lost one of its greatest friends.” Netanyahu said, “America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.” He added that his heart was with Graham’s family and the American people during the difficult time. Netanyahu also said he hoped Graham’s values and initiatives would continue guiding efforts toward “victory and peace.”
Graham had been one of the Senate’s most visible defenders of Israel after the October 7 Hamas attacks. He repeatedly backed Israel’s military response and argued that the United States should stand firmly with the Jewish state. Those positions made him a frequent target of anti-Israel activists and Muslim commentators who accused him of supporting civilian suffering in Gaza.