Jersey’s Democratic governor attends local mosque whose cofounder was convicted of funneling money to Hamas

New Jersey Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill is facing scrutiny for attending a mosque led by an Imam with a questionable past.

Sherrill attended a Ramadan event at the Islamic Center of Passaic County, according to her social media posts, where she donned a hijab and took selfies. One particularly inflammatory image shows her in conversation with Imam Mohammad Qatanani, the leader of the mosque.

Look:

NEW:

New Jersey’s Democratic governor, Mikie Sherrill, who ran as a “moderate,” visited a local mosque on Friday whose cofounder was convicted of funneling money to Hamas.

She met with a cleric who has called for a “new intifada” and faced deportation proceedings over his own… pic.twitter.com/QxLl4Pd7cC

— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) March 24, 2026

While the photos were clearly meant to be a PR stunt to appeal to the Muslim community, many took issue with her decision to consort with Qatanani.

“Qatanani, a Palestinian-born cleric, has been at the center of a decades-long immigration battle after federal authorities sought to deport him, citing alleged ties to Hamas and claims he failed to disclose a prior detention in Israel. He has denied those allegations, saying he was detained but never convicted,” Fox News reported. “As Fox News previously reported, the federal government moved to remove Qatanani from the U.S. beginning in the mid-2000s, arguing he made misrepresentations on his green card application and raising national security concerns tied to Israeli records.”

Ultimately, in 2025, a federal appeals court blocked his deportation and Qatanani has been allowed to remain in the United States, though it should be noted that the decision was made based on the technicalities of the legal process, and not the allegations that were brought against him.

X users reacted:

Anyone who believed Sherrill would be any different from her VA governor buddy, Spanberger, is self-deluded. Both of the women are poison and their states will regret electing them. We tried to tell you.

— Laura Lee Lindsey (@Mayhawwoman) March 24, 2026

Absolutely disgusting @GovSherrillNJ
You’re a disgrace to women in your own country.
Foolish pandering woman.
Competing with @SpanbergerForVA for most repulsive Democrat to ever be elected Governor.

— Christina (@faithfulsoul70) March 24, 2026

Never, ever wear a scarf for them. They know you’re a Christian, or an atheist like her. It’s an act of submission.

— Maiden America (@hobodayz) March 24, 2026

I love that they made her wear their uniform.

— Patch (@SauronsPatch) March 24, 2026

It’s sad that @GovSherrillNJ could not find a mosque whose cleric actually loves America. She’s a complete sell out! We need leaders, regardless of party, who have morals and love our country!

— Brett Nemeth (@SoCalBrett) March 24, 2026

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