In the final weeks of Michigan’s Senate race, the Democratic nominee finds himself facing both ugly attacks and pointed questions about family members. He has pushed back forcefully.

© Zbigniew Bzdak for The New York Times

Against a backdrop of rising Islamophobia, Michigan Senate hopeful has challenged premise of repeated questions on Muslim Brotherhood, Israel and faith

As a candidate positioned at the center of what researchers say are the worst Islamophobic attacks seen since the aftermath of 9/11, many would expect Abdul El-Sayed to simply defend himself and move on.

Instead, the Democratic candidate for US Senate in Michigan has repeatedly demanded those who question his positions on Israel, the Muslim Brotherhood and his faith, explain the premise of their inquiry. Rather than let others put his loyalties on trial, he has tried to put their assumptions on trial.

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© Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

© Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

© Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

“Bismillah, c’est les ténèbres” has appeared on signs at recent demonstrations. It doesn’t make much sense (it means, “In the name of God, it’s the darkness”) but is seen as shorthand for a generational divide.

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Dr. Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign in Michigan released a new ad highlighting his faith, which Republicans have used to attack him in a tight Senate race.

© Zbigniew Bzdak for The New York Times

Mansour Abbas, a dentist-turned-lawmaker, helped oust Benjamin Netanyahu once before. Now, he and a Jewish ex-police commander have teamed up to try to do it again.

© Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for The New York Times

Emirati investigators said the co-pilot accused of attacking a captain on a flight to Israel drifted toward extremism during his time as a student in Australia.

© Jack Guez/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Emirati investigators said the co-pilot accused of attacking a captain on a flight to Israel drifted toward extremism during his time as a student in Australia.

© Jack Guez/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

A yearslong investigation led federal agents to arrest an 18-year-old in Minnesota this week after he purchased a rifle from an undercover officer.

© Adam Bettcher/Associated Press

Public anger is growing over an exercise that critics say undermines the world’s largest democracy, particularly disenfranchising Muslims under the Hindu nationalist government.

© Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Public anger is growing over an exercise that critics say undermines the world’s largest democracy, particularly disenfranchising Muslims under the Hindu nationalist government.

© Adnan Abidi/Reuters

The Pentagon said that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who carried out the deadliest mass shooting at an American military base, would be executed by firing squad.

© Bell County Sheriff's Office