Abdul El‑Sayed, the Democratic candidate for the Michigan Senate, has been listed as the owner of a rental property in the United Arab Emirates. The home is a single‑family residence situated in Tilal Al Ghaf, a luxury community developed by Majid Al Futtaim Holdings – a firm that has previously attracted criticism over its treatment of migrant workers.
The property appears on a financial disclosure released on Monday. The filing records an outstanding balance of up to $100,000 owed to Majid Al Futtaim Tilal Al Ghaf Phase A LLC, a subsidiary of the Emirati real‑estate conglomerate. The amount is recorded as a "Developer Credit Balance", which may indicate a payment‑plan arrangement for the purchase.
El‑Sayed’s campaign did not answer repeated requests for comment on the matter.
Wealth and income background
Since his unsuccessful bid for governor in 2018, the candidate’s finances have drawn scrutiny. Tax returns for the most recent year show total earnings of $686,000, a figure that places him within the top one percent of earners in Michigan.
Details of the Dubai estate
Tilal Al Ghaf is marketed as a "resort‑style" development offering a range of amenities, including a recreational lagoon, park, walking trails, a gourmet restaurant and a grocery store. Residents also have access to elite educational institutions such as the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai.
El‑Sayed has previously defended his overseas holdings, stating that his wife’s family originally inherited the properties and later sold them. However, the disclosure indicates that he and his wife continue to own the Dubai homes and receive rental income from them.
The combination of a sizeable overseas debt, high domestic earnings and the candidate’s refusal to comment has reignited debate over the transparency of his financial affairs.