A plastic surgeon who provided testimony in favor of a terrorist responsible for the deadly 1993 World Trade Center attack is getting closer to becoming a New Jersey congressman.
Adam Hisham Hamawy, 56, has a good chance of succeeding Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman in November after winning a crowded 12-way Democratic primary on Tuesday night.
Coleman, a radical liberal who has served in the Garden State’s 12th Congressional District for ten years, may be able to unseat her if the Egyptian-born former Army combat surgeon continues on this course.
The father of four has come under increasing scrutiny throughout his campaign because he spoke on behalf of Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, a blind militant Islamist who was found guilty of inciting terror attacks, including the World Trade Center bombing that left thousands injured and six dead.
Rahman, also referred to as “The Blind Sheikh,” was a prominent member of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda. He was serving a life term in federal jail when he passed away in February 2017.
The Jewish Insider reported that Hamawy acted as Rahman’s translator during a news conference where the mastermind denied being involved in the attack, which led to the revelation of Hamawy’s connection to the convicted terrorist.
In addition to translating for the sheikh during his trial, the then-26-year-old medical school student also testified on behalf of the defense.
In an adamant defense of his association with Rahman, he and his campaign told the Daily Mail that Hamawy “condemns that man’s violent rhetoric and actions, and all violence, hatred, and terrorism — and he will always.””
One step closer to becoming a New Jersey congressman is Adam Hisham Hamawy, a plastic surgeon who testified in favor of a terrorist who carried out the horrible 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Hamawy provided testimony in 1995 on behalf of blind militant Islamist Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman (pictured), who was found guilty of inciting terrorist acts, including the World Trade Center bombing.His spokesperson said, “He saw him speak in religious settings in his early 20s. At the time, he was one of very few religious figures in what was then a very small Muslim community in New Jersey.” “After they were arrested, Dr. Hamawy did not communicate with this individual.”
Following his victory on Tuesday, Hamawy seemed to bring up the criticism he has faced due to his relationship with Rahman.
Things became unpleasant. There was an attack on my family. The New York Times reported that he said, “My values were questioned.”
The physician, who testified before Congress in June 2024 about his experience caring for patients in Gaza, also stated that his triumph is evidence that “anti-Muslim” attacks will not defeat him.
“This might have worked once, when racist and anti-Muslim attacks would have turned an election,” he stated. “But we demonstrated tonight that this era of American politics is over.”
A little more than an hour away from New York City, in Princeton, Hamawy owns and operates his own plastic surgery clinic.
He is a first-time candidate who chose to enter politics because he felt that Washington lawmakers were not listening to him when he attempted to explain what he witnessed while on a humanitarian mission to the European Hospital in southern Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Many Republicans voiced their outrage after learning of his connections to the terrorist responsible for 9/11.
In 1993, a terror assault resulted in thousands of injuries and six fatalities.
“Democrats are now running actual terrorists for Congress,” the doctor claimed, citing Tuesday night’s result as evidence that “anti-Muslim” attacks will not defeat him. Unexpected? No, disappointing? “Yes,” responded Senator Tim Sheehy, a Republican from Montana.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey earlier expressed his “deep concerns” to Jewish Insider on the congressional candidate’s “associations with terrorist organizations and leaders who have attacked America.”
Leading Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and notorious Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, have supported Hamawy.