Harris, Trump Vying for Muslim, Arab American Votes
Facts
- With the Nov. 5 US election nearing, Arab Americans and Muslims, who could prove to be a decisive voting bloc in the contest between Republican former Pres. Donald Trump and Democratic Vice Pres. Kamala Harris appears greatly divided. A recent YouGov and Arab News poll showed Trump up 45%-43% among Arab voters.[1][2]
- Muslim and Arab voters show deep concern with how the Biden admin. has handled Israel's war in Gaza and Israel's bombings in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Trump as president blocked immigrants from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the US and has shown varied opinions on relations with Israel.[3][4][1]
- In the battleground state of Michigan, a group of what Trump called 'highly respected' Muslim leaders and Imams — including Mayor Bill Bazzi, the first Muslim and Arab American ever elected mayor of Dearborn Heights, Mich. — joined Trump at a campaign rally.[5]
- In Dearborn, Mich., several prominent Arab Americans — including James Zogby of the Arab American Institute — endorsed Harris, expressing concerns about a second Trump term. Harris also recently received an endorsement from 100 Arizona Palestinian, Arab, Muslin, and progressive leaders.[6][7]
- There are still many groups, mostly who've backed Democratic nominees in the past, who've opted to not endorse during this election. Others have endorsed third-party candidates, including Jill Stein and Cornel West.[3]
- In September, a report from the Council on American Islamic Relations showed Stein, the Green Party's nominee, leading Harris and Trump in the swing states of Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin among Muslim voters.[8]
Sources: [1]Washington Post, [2]New York Post, [3]NBC, [4]New York Times, [5]FOX News, [6]WDET 101.9 FM, [7]The New Republic and [8]USA Today.
Narratives
- Democratic narrative, as provided by MSNBC. It's understandable that Muslim and Arab American voters would be angry with the complex situation in the Middle East. But voting for Trump would be a misguided way to express this anger. Among numerous things, Trump has already criticized the Biden administration for holding Israel back, used 'Palestinian' as a slur, and promised to expand his Muslim ban. He's no friend to Muslims and Arab Americans.
- Republican narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. Trump is the right candidate for Muslim and Arab American voters because he's going to bring peace globally while keeping the US safe. Trump is reaching out to Muslim leaders on the ground as Harris fails to offer a vision for peace in the Middle East and campaigns with military-industrial complex icon Liz Cheney, who's no friend to Muslim countries. The decision to back Trump is an easy one.