close
close

The Muslim vote may decide who will be in the White House

For the first time, a new variable entered the US presidential election campaign with the Muslim vote, which occupies a significant place and is promoted by both the Democratic and Republican parties as well as other parties (such as Jill Stein's Green Party).

Anyone who consistently follows what is heard and written in the Arab media in the Middle East is aware of the new voices that have been heard in the USA in recent years.

The voices of those who have been calling since October 7th and the war in Gaza and Lebanon to “take off the gloves” and no longer act in the interests of a party that does not want to see them as full partners – these are the voices of the Arabs and Muslims in the USA.

Many Muslims in the US, particularly in communities in swing states like Michigan – considered a key state where the Muslim community is one of the largest in the US – are expressing deep disappointment with Biden's foreign policy, which does not embody long-prevailing policies. expected change that he had predicted in his election campaign.

This policy includes continued and unconditional support for Israel, especially in light of the war in Gaza and Lebanon, which they say gives a “green light” to war crimes and worsens the plight of Palestinians.

Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan, U.S., October 4, 2024. (Credit: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/REUTERS)

Despite calls for a boycott, some still believe in elections

As feelings of disappointment and anger among Muslims in the United States grow, so too do calls to boycott or not vote in the upcoming elections.

For many, choosing between the Democratic and Republican parties is akin to choosing between evil, as each of them to some extent ignores the interests and values ​​of the Muslim community.

Despite calls to boycott the election, some Muslim leaders believe voting can be a path to change. “Our true power lies in the ballot box and our ability to influence politicians to understand that we are needed,” says Dr. Zeinab al-Savij, an American activist. “If we give up our influence, we will be left behind.”

“It is not for nothing that Allah saved Trump from two assassination attempts. His life was saved, so now he will be the one to save the lives of Muslims in Gaza and Lebanon.” The person behind this statement is Bilal al-Zahiri, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Dearborn, Michigan, who announced last week urged Muslims in the US to vote for the “candidate of peace” (you read that right), Donald Trump. in the US presidential election.

A campaign called “Drop Harris” was launched in North Carolina, and Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator, called on Muslims in the US to “punish the Democrats in the elections because if Kamala Harris loses because of her support for the Zionists .”, the Zionist lobby will collapse.”

Stay up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to the Jerusalem Post newsletter

In addition, Palestinian organizations that had called for overwhelming support for Biden in the last election campaign are reversing course and launching campaigns in support of Trump and even publishing fatwas (rules of halacha) urging people to vote for him.

Despite what has been said, even those who are inclined to vote for him believe that Trump is not a good man but simply the worst in the minority, focusing on his conservative policies regarding the family unit and his Promise to end the conflict Israel.

The events of the hour require a renewed observation of the many variables on the US political map.

An example of such a variable is the Council on American Muslim Relations (CAIR) or as it is also called “Muslim AIPAC”, which has repented its banner of restoring and promoting relations between Americans and Muslims in the USA. B, especially since the events of September 11th.

However, over time it became associated with the activities of Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Manal Fakhuri, a senior member of the Council, released an outrageous and disturbing statement testifying to the change that has taken place in the Council: “A Palestinian has the right to exist.” It is like asking a Jew if the Holocaust is acceptable.

The various polls predict that on November 5th the Muslim vote will decide the identity of the person who will be the leader of the free world. Yet Osama Siblani, the leader of Dearborn's Arab community, already knows to tell us: “The future of America depends on us.”

The author is a lecturer in the Arabic Department of Bar-Ilan University and a researcher at the MEMRI Institute for the Middle East Communication.



You may also like...