WASHINGTON — Muslim American leaders from six battleground states vowed
on Saturday to mobilize against US President Joe Biden's re-election due to his
support for Israel's War on Gaza. However, they have yet to settle on an
alternative 2024 candidate. In 2020, these states played a crucial role in
Biden’s victory, and opposition from Muslim and Arab-American communities may
complicate Biden’s path to electoral votes in the coming year.
اضافة اعلان
"We don’t have two options. We have many
options," said Jaylani Hussein, director of
Minnesota's Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) chapter, during a press conference in
Dearborn, Michigan, as reported by Al-Mamlaka TV and Reuters. "We are not
supporting (former President Donald) Trump," he added, emphasizing that
the Muslim community would decide how to engage with other candidates.
#AbandonBiden
The #AbandonBiden campaign began in Minnesota
when Muslim Americans demanded a call for a ceasefire by Oct. 31 and has since
spread to Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
Israel has the right to defend itself – US
Vice President
US and Israeli officials have resisted
pressure for a permanent halt in fighting, with US Vice President
Kamala Harris echoing Biden's statement that Israel has the right to defend itself.
Trump is not an option, but withholding votes
from Biden is
Muslim Americans don't expect Trump to treat
their community better if re-elected but see withholding votes from Biden as
the only way to shape US policy. It is unclear if Muslim voters will
collectively turn against Biden, but even small shifts in support could impact
states he narrowly won in 2020.
A decline in support from many Arab Americans
Recent polls indicate a decline in Biden's
popularity among Arab Americans, dropping from a comfortable majority in 2020
to 17 percent. This shift may be critical in states like Michigan, where Biden
won by a slim margin, and Arab Americans constitute 5 percent of the vote,
according to the Arab American Institute.
Tarek Amin, a doctor representing the
Muslim community in Wisconsin, noted around 25,000 Muslim voters in the state, where
Biden won by approximately 20,000 votes. He emphasized their ability to
influence swing voting.
A blue wave stained with drops of red blood
In Arizona, where Biden won by about 10,500
votes, pharmacist Hazim Nasaredden highlighted over 25,000 Muslim voters. He
stated, "We will not stand with a man who stained a blue wave with drops
of red blood."
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