A video from 2018 has surfaced showing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz referring to a Muslim cleric with controversial views as a "master teacher," according to reporting by the Washington Examiner. The footage, which emerged during Walz's campaign for vice president, contradicts recent statements from his campaign team.
The video, recorded at a February 16, 2018 event hosted by Minnesota's Muslim American Society, captures Walz praising Asad Zaman, director of the Muslim American Society of Minnesota. "I am a teacher, so when I see a master teacher, I know it. Over the time we've spent together, one of the things I've had the privilege of is seeing the things in life through the eye of a master teacher, to try and get the understanding," Walz said at the event.
EXCLUSIVE: Tim Walz—in footage unearthed by @dcexaminer—called Hitler-promoting imam Asad Zaman a "master teacher" who offered Walz lessons over the time they "spent together"
The footage further contradicts the Harris campaign's claim Walz has no personal relationship w/ Zaman pic.twitter.com/F1lKcJyzI1
— Gabe Kaminsky (@gekaminsky) August 13, 2024
This revelation comes after a spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign stated on Friday that Walz does not "have a personal relationship" with Zaman. The statement was in response to a previous Washington Examiner report detailing how Walz, as governor of Minnesota, had repeatedly hosted the imam at events where Zaman also spoke.
During the 2018 event, held at the South Metro Islamic Center in Rosemount, Minnesota, Walz stood alongside Peggy Flanagan, now the lieutenant governor of Minnesota. He went on to describe lessons he had learned from Zaman, saying, "It was imam talking [saying that] 'in those times is where we find who we are, in those times is where we really see.'"
Walz also credited Zaman for encouraging him to engage with people and push back against the "demonization of Islam" and immigrants. "In this space, Imam Zaman is right on this, there is Islamophobia, there is a hatred that is being stirred," Walz stated. The Washington Examiner reports that Zaman has a history of controversial statements and actions. On October 7, 2023, following a terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, Zaman expressed solidarity with Palestinians "against Israeli attacks."
This is an actual Facebook post from Imam Asad Zaman, who Tim Walz invited to speak at events 5 times.
Walz's administration also gave Zaman's organizations $100,000 in state funding.
Zaman openly celebrated the October 7th attacks. pic.twitter.com/AqQ9lVxmc1
— Parker Thayer (@ParkerThayer) August 9, 2024
Zaman's social media activity has included sharing content related to a pro-Hitler film and a Hamas press release, the Examiner reported. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has criticized Zaman, stating on Friday that he "has a troubling history of playing into classic anti-Jewish themes and justifying violence against Israel."
"He also has justified violence against Israel, including from terror groups," the ADL spokesperson said. "Given his hurtful remarks post-Oct. 7, and absent any recognition of the pain he has caused the Jewish community, we urge all public officials and leaders to avoid meeting with him in the future. Those who have met with Imam Zaman should clarify that they don't agree with his toxic views about Jews and the Jewish state."
