Imam Husham Al-Husainy, a Muslim cleric from Dearborn, Michigan, was set to make history on Monday by delivering a benediction at the inauguration of President Trump — but, in the end, he didn’t make an appearance. 

The imam was inexplicably removed as a speaker at the inauguration ceremony, and the Trump administration did not respond to a request for comment from The Washington Times. 

However, a video recently emerged on social media of Mr. Al-Husainy in a 2007 appearance on Fox News’ since-canceled show “Hannity and Colmes,” during which he refused to acknowledge Hezbollah as a terrorist group.

“First of all — first of all, Hezbollah is a Lebanese organization,” Mr. Al-Husainy replied to Mr. Hannity’s question as to whether he would designate the group as such.

“And I’ve got nothing to do with that. But there is a biblical meaning of Hezbollah. It is in Judaism and Christianity and Islam meaning people of God and that means yes,” he continued.

Mr. Al-Husainy, 70, was set to become what is believed to be the first Muslim leader to speak at an American presidential inauguration.

The Iraqi American imam is known for his sermons and leadership at the Karbalaa Islamic Educational Center in Dearborn, according to the Detroit Free Press. He has spent decades at the crossroads of religion and politics.

Mr. Al-Husainy was a prominent supporter of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the toppling of Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein, and his political journey has led him to support Mr. Trump.

During a Republican press call last fall, Mr. Al-Husainy said he endorses peace, “not war.”

“This is the strongest country in the world, and it deserves to have a strong leader where he can bring peace in this world,” he added.

The Detroit Free Press reported that Mr. Al-Husainy “blasted [President] Biden for not stopping the ’killing, bloodshed’ in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen.”

Mr. Al-Husainy says his decision to support Mr. Trump isn’t just political, it’s personal.

“I am supporting Donald Trump because he opposes gay marriage and he is the most Christian person in the election,” he said of his support for the president on the video call last fall, The New York Post reported. “He will return us to conservative values, and I am a Muslim and I will stand with whoever opposes gay marriage.”

Following Mr. Trump’s inaugural address, Mr. Al-Husainy was set to join three other faith leaders in delivering benedictions: the Rev. Lorenzo Sewell, an evangelical pastor from Detroit; Rabbi Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University in New York; and Father Frank Mann, a Catholic priest from Brooklyn, New York.

For his part, President Trump has identified as Presbyterian.

• Emma Ayers can be reached at eayers@washingtontimes.com.