Donald Trump's inauguration drops Muslim Imam – after inviting him to deliver a devotional 

In a significant last-minute change to today's presidential inauguration ceremony, Imam Husham Al-Husainy of Dearborn's Karbalaa Islamic Education Center was notably absent from the Capitol rotunda proceedings, despite his initial inclusion in the program. The adjustment has reignited discussions about religious representation in American civic ceremonies and the delicate balance between inclusion and political considerations.

The ceremony proceeded with an interfaith trio: Rabbi Ari Berman of Yeshiva University, Senior Pastor Lorenzo Sewell representing Detroit's 180 Church, and Father Frank Mann from Brooklyn's Roman Catholic Diocese. Vice President JD Vance, former President Biden, and former Vice President Harris were among the distinguished attendees at the Capitol rotunda, as reported by Haley Cohen writing for Jewish Insider here: https://jewishinsider.com/2025/01/imam-who-praised-hezbollah-booted-from-inauguration-benediction/

Al-Husainy's removal appears connected to resurfaced footage from a 2007 Fox News interview where he declined to categorize Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, despite the group's designation as such by the U.S. government since 1997. During the interview, he characterized Hezbollah as "a Lebanese organization" and discussed the term's "biblical meaning" as "people of God" across Abrahamic faiths, drawing criticism for avoiding direct questions about the organization's terrorist designation.

This development marks the second Trump inauguration without Muslim representation, reflecting a broader pattern that has sparked debate about religious diversity in presidential ceremonies. Historically, inaugural benedictions have evolved from exclusively Protestant affairs to more inclusive interfaith gatherings, which makes this exclusion particularly noteworthy.

Similar controversies have shadowed previous presidential inaugurations. The Obama administration faced pushback over selecting Pastor Rick Warren in 2009 due to his positions on LGBTQ+ issues, while the inclusion of Reverend Joseph Lowery in the same year generated its own heated discussions.

The Trump administration has not responded to media inquiries regarding Al-Husainy's removal. The situation has prompted discussions among political analysts about the role of religious leaders in civic ceremonies and the complex interplay between faith, politics, and public service.

This latest controversy echoes historical precedents, including Thomas Jefferson's deliberate avoidance of religious elements in his inauguration to emphasize church-state separation. Today's events suggest that the relationship between religious representation and presidential ceremonies remains as complex and contentious as ever.

The incident has sparked renewed debate about the criteria for selecting religious leaders for civic ceremonies and the broader implications for religious inclusion in American political life.

Jewish Insider contributed to this article.