It is one of the most comprehensive articles on the Muslim dilemma. Most Muslim groups are painfully going through these discussions. I have flipped-flopped a few times. The following article by Dr. Basheer Ahmed is an eye-opener, and I urge the readers, if they agree, to share this article. Ultimately, you have to decide whom you vote for. I welcome any piece in support of Trump to be posted here. It is always good to be fully informed about both sides.
Article link is https://centerforamericanpolitics.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-presidential-election-and-muslim.html
Mike Ghouse
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The presidential election and Muslim dilemma
M. Basheer Ahmed, M.D.
The American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force, a coalition of national 501(c)4 political organizations, calls on all American Muslim voters to turn out in the 2024 election and vote for candidates, including a presidential candidate who endorses a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo on the Israeli government, such as a third-Party nominees Dr. Jill Stein, or Dr. Cornel West. These two presidential candidates also choose the Muslim vice-presidential nominees. The coalition cannot endorse Vice President Kamala Harris' candidacy because she refused to consider imposing the arms embargo on the Israeli government as required by U.S. laws, and she failed to promise any other changes.
I understand that the intelligent people who run a coalition of national political organizations made such an unwise decision due to extreme sadness and anger due to the genocide in Palestine. Unfortunately, they are misguiding the Muslim community and making sure that their recommendation will help Trump in winning this election. (Although they vehemently oppose Trump). The vote for any 3rd party candidate is a waste and ensures Trump wins. They overlook that for 96% of Americans, this is not the primary criterion to vote for a presidential candidate.
I have decided to write this article to elaborate on this dilemma. I am sad and angry as all Muslims in U S and around the world for U S blind support of Israel, which is committing genocide and has resulted in the death of 186000 innocent Palestinians (according to LANCET - British Medical Journal), more than 50% were women and children. I am trying to control my anger and share what I think is a rational approach to deciding our choices for selecting a candidate and party to vote for in the incoming election. Politicians determine political positions based on the constituent's needs and demands. Trump chose the issues related to banning immigration from nonwhite, non-Christian countries to make America a GREAT" White Christian country and support wealthy Americans. He is pleasing his constituents.
Kamala is running to represent the whole country, not just Muslims. Suppose Muslims have only one demand for arms supplies to Israel and support an immediate ceasefire. In that case, it looks like Muslims are a foreign agent supporting Palestine (although you are doing this for humanitarian reasons). What about other issues this country is facing? All of us are U.S. citizens, and we must be concerned about many issues, to name a few: Affordable Healthcare, Abortion, gender equality, Inflation, unemployment, Education, Taxes, Climate change, religious freedom, Social justice, Immigration reforms, Combating hate crimes, as well as foreign policy such as Ukraine and peace in the middle east and indiscriminate support to Israel. You will not find any candidate 100% supporting Palestinian issues.
It is pertinent to ask why Jews and AIPAC have so much influence. It seems that 3 million Jews are controlling America. They own significant businesses, high-tech industries, and higher educational institutions (They are instrumental in asking for the resignations of presidents of Harvard, Columbia, Pennsylvania, and other universities). They have nine senators and 26 congressmen. AIPAC is the most influential lobbying organization in U.S. history. Nearly 2% of the population are Muslims, whereas Jews are only less than 1%; how do they achieve such influence and power? Americans did not give this influence and power in a silver platter. When Jews started migrating to this country in the 1940s and 1950s, they were discriminated against and faced a lot of prejudice due to antisemitism. They had difficulty in getting admission to universities and getting jobs and even faced humiliation, such as signs on the country clubs saying, " Dogs and Jews are not allowed."
During the 50s and 60s, Jews who suffered a massacre in Germany and faced antisemitism in the U.S. decided to combat this by taking the following steps.
1)They concentrated on educating their children highly in every field, including science, business, politics, etc.
2) They assimilated with Americans and did not remain isolated. Supported African Americans for " fighting for civil Rights."
3) Despite their Multiple sects and ideologies, they united on national causes.
4) Started participating in political activities very early in the 1950s. Established AIPAC in 1954 to counter adverse international reactions to Israel's atrocities in Palestine.
They are united and work hard to achieve their status. We can certainly learn from them. Let's focus on how to be " influential and powerful. Muslims started immigrating to the U.S. in the late 60s. We faced less discrimination than Jews. Muslims were busy making a living, were not united, and were not involved in politics. Even in the 1980s and '90s,
Imams discouraged Muslim involvement in Politics. It was after 9/11 that we woke up and started paying attention to politics. My observation is that only 30% of Muslims are paying attention to current affairs and politics, and 70% are still busy making a living for themselves, enjoying big parties with Biryani, Kebobs, and falafel. We contribute towards political funds of about $25M vs Jews who spend 1 billion. We have only three congressmen and no senators. How can they influence the President?
Now, let us focus on whom we should vote.
We must decide whether to vote for Trump or Kamala in this election. If you give a vote to the 3rd party, it is wasted. If Trump wins, you have no choice but to accept the demise of Palestine. Donald Trump wants to expel all Palestinians not only from Gaza but from the West Bank as well. He was the one who recognized the Israeli embassy move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which is a blatant disregard for U.N. and international laws. Trump wants to ban Muslim immigration in the U.S.
He is asking for votes from Christians only.
My concerns about Mr Trump:
He has made it very clear that he is not trying to win the votes of a majority of Americans. He and his loyalists are trying to intimidate his opponents to keep them from voting.
Many of those arrested for attacking the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, told the court they believed they were defending American democracy from those (immigrants) who were destroying the country and had stolen the election. Trump called them "patriots" who have been"treated unfairly" and "have shown incredible courage and sacrifice,"
He met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said, "I was very good to Israel, better than any president" ever been. He went before Black journalists in Chicago to proclaim that I had been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln. He is saying to everybody, Listen up, Christians, Jews, and Black people. I am the solution,
Trump glorifies his endeavors on behalf of Christians. "I'm a Christian. I love you. You got to get out and vote. You don't have to vote in four years, and we will soon be a great nation again. Trump says, " If I don't get elected, it will be a blood bath.". Not a single loyal Republican official has objected to that statement. Trump will do whatever he can to gain power, and once in power, he will do all he can to keep the power. Supreme Court has granted him immunity. Presidents usually meet with opposition leaders and listen to their views.
Mr. Trump wants to put away those who disagree or oppose him.
I am not surprised that JD Vance quoted from a Book " That Progressives (Democrats) are Subhuman, and Leftists don't deserve the status of human beings and that they are waging a shadow war against all that is good and decent, which will end in apocalyptic slaughter. Trump said Vance should fire every single mid-level bureaucrat and every civil servant and replace them with our people."
It isn't reassuring to see what trump loyalists are saying. In North Carolina, Robinson's offensive writings on a pornography website upset many when he declared himself a "black NAZI" and that he would like to enslave people.
Mike Lindell, a Trump loyalist, said, " We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children " Trump had an event stop at a grocery store in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, where he chatted with supporters, handed a $100 bill to a customer, and promised, We 39;ll do that for you from the White House. Vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance has doubled down on his insistence that a Trump administration will deport legal as well as undocumented immigrants. The Dayton [Ohio] Daily News editorial board called Vance " an embarrassment not only to himself but to Ohio."
I am concerned that Trump will not accept defeat in November any more than he did when he lost four years ago. Trump believed that he was the legitimate President, and those who refuse to accept this fundamental fact are the true deniers. Trump is more erratic, impulsive, and self-interested than any presidential candidate, Republican or Democratic. A second Trump administration would escalate the threat of authoritarian governance, most notably by sanctioning politically motivated prosecutions.
If Trump wins, he will assume control of the White House in 2025 with far more power and fewer restraints than when he took office in January 2017. Trump says he wants to go after his political enemies and lock up refugees in camps. Implicit in all this, he will appoint cabinet members and high-level officials who support what he wants to do instead of the last cabinet who constrained him at every turn during his presidency.
Republicans want to pass something called the SAVE Act, Donald Trump crafted a fascist piece of legislation that will decimate voting rights in America. The Republican proposal suppresses the voting rights of women, Black, Latino, and Indigenous Americans, Veterans, and active-duty service members. GOP's suppression of voters is entirely inconsistent with democracy.
We need to select a president who supports democracy and is dedicated to uniting us and restoring our faith in America.
The best option is to vote for Kamala and Walz. Kamala is running to represent the whole country, not just Muslims. Once she is elected, a united Muslim group can put as much pressure as possible on legislators and the President to pay attention to the Palestinian issue. Palestinian problems will not disappear by November. At this stage, I'm not looking for Kamala's record for supporting Palestine; I'm looking for what is good for this country and Muslims. Kamala agrees to consider a ban on arms supply to Israel. Democrats will be listening if we support Kamala Harris. There is a good possibility of change happening in the Middle East. If Trump wins, you have no choice but to accept the demise of Palestine. You want to elect a president who will listen to you. Who do you think you may have access to and listen to you: Kamala OR Trump? If Kamala wins without Muslim votes, we will lose that opportunity. We will never have this opportunity if Trump is elected. You are not voting or voting for 3rd party only benefits Trump, who does not care for
Palestinians. Kamala has stood against powerful AIPAC three times. She refused to attend a Congress joint session when Netanyahu was getting standing ovations from all Republicans and a few Democrats. Many Democratic members of Congress did not participate in Netanyahu's speech to Congress. She stated that she would not stay silent on the abuses against Palestinians and support for a ceasefire. She did not pick Josh Shapiro as her V.P., which was a courageous defiance of AIPAC. Her meeting with the Palestinian leadership in Michigan, giving them time, and sympathizing with their platform was commendable. The Democratic Caucus adopted a ceasefire resolution on its platform, which they took to the national DNC. Many cities in the country decided to divest from Israel.
Kamala emphasized the need to close the wealth gap by increasing access to homeownership, decreasing childcare costs, decreasing healthcare costs, decreasing taxes on the middle class, increasing taxes on billionaires, increasing the living wage for working people, improving police funding and immigration reform. Walz repeatedly and rightly declared, " You don't have to agree with each other on everything to get along and work together. This philosophy has kept the Democrats at the forefront of expanding civil rights, immigration rights, LGBTQ rights, and women's rights to ensure each demographic enjoys equal justice and humanity in the United States. Georgia State Representative Ruwa Romman, a Palestinian American, unequivocally stated to electing Vice President Harris and defeating Donald Trump.
We have multiple Muslims in elected positions who are part of the Democratic party. How many Muslims are in Congress from the Republican Party or Green Party? Although we were unable to "influence" Biden to stop the genocide in Gaza … it does not mean that we cannot influence Harris. We need to increase our vote share by a considerable margin compared to all the polls from previous years.
There are over 25 Muslim employees currently in the White House—multiple appointments given to Muslims in higher positions than ever before. Biden's valuable Muslim appointees, including Lina Khan, the head of the FTC, are in critical positions. Rashad Hussain is an ambassador and advisor to the President on religious freedom conditions and policy. He and many others have put countless hours behind building bridges and working on implementing an Islamophobia act. If Trump wins, there will be no appointments of Muslims in advisory positions.
Most Muslims Who candidly say that in good conscience cannot support Kamala clearly stated that they do not want Trump in the White House, except Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, who endorsed Donald Trump. Concluding remarks. This election is a choice between severe leadership and narcissistic power grabbing. It is a choice between democracy and authoritarianism. Vice President Harris defends America's democratic ideals, while former President Donald Trump endangers them. We have the money and the votes, but we are not united and well-organized. Please think seriously and rationally and support
Kamala unanimously. Muslim vote for Kamala will ensure Muslims 's voice and a place in the White House. Even if Kamala loses, democrats will support when Trump comes after the Muslims. They have done that during MUSLIM BAN in the last Trump administration. If Kamala wins without Muslim support, why should we expect our presence in the Kamala White House? Although Muslims are only 1.5% of the population, our united support is vital. Only a difference of a few thousand votes wins some elections.
Dr M.Basheer Ahmed is a former professor of Psychiatry at Western Medical School in Dallas, Texas, chairman emeritus of the Muslim Community Center for Human Services North Texas, and president of American Muslims for Human Rights. He can be reached at mbahmed05@yahoo.com
