By Shamsi Ali Al-Kajangi
THERE is no doubt that the decision for US Muslims of whom to vote for in this year’s presidential election is a dilemma. Both candidates and parties (Republican and Democrat) in their eyes are undesirable, especially when it comes to the issue of Palestine and Israel, and how the US stands on the issue of mass massacres and genocide in Gaza.
At this point, American Muslims are divided on which side to take in the election. Some (possibly the majority) decided or will decide to vote for a third candidate. Some (many) are inclined to vote for Kamala Harris. But some (very few) are inclined to vote for Donald Trump. Their decision and inclination about who to support is based on mostly what has happened and continues to take place in the Middle East.
Some American Muslims are of view that both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are identical (have no difference) when it comes to the Palestine-Israeli matter. Both are possess bloody hands and can not be trusted.
Kamala Harris was and still is the vice president of US who allows and assists Israel to continue mass killings and genocide in Gaza. Kamala must take responsibility and hence must be punished. Although Kamala repeatedly calls for an immediate ceasefire and the urgency of returning to the table for peace talk and for a possible two states solution, she insists on continuing to supply weapons to Israel who in turn massacre innocent Palestinians.
Donald Trump on the other hand continues his nonsensical crazy wish to support Benjamin to speed up what he called “to finish his job”. What Donald Trump wants is that Benjamin Natanyahu must use, if possible, nuclear weapons to wipe out Gaza. In fact he accuses Joe Biden as an obstacle for Natanyahu from finishing his job (to eliminate Gazans). Donald Trump further expressed his dream to develop real state on what he called the most beautiful “seashore of Gaza”.
More importantly it’s during his term as US president that he decided to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Followed by his decision to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Both actions were in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and International law.
Domestically speaking it is also a complicated issue for US Muslims do decide. In term of social and morally related matters, particularly in relation to LGBTQ issue, Donald Trump and the Republicans at least on the conceptual level are closer to our Islamic ideals. But when it comes to the Islamophobia and anti Muslim sentiment, Democrats are more friendly. Donald Trump is well known for his racist and Islamophobic attitude to the immigrants and Muslims. All must still remember the Muslim ban issued by Trump during his term as President of the US.
Some other members of the Muslim community are inclined to stay away from both front liners (Trump and Harris) and are inclined to vote and elect a third party. One of the most prominent advocates for the Palestinian cause is Jill Stein who chose a Muslim to be her running mate (vice presidential candidate). But all know that voting for any third candidate is essentially equivalent to giving an endorsement to Donald Trump because both front liner candidates are neck to neck in term of their militant supporters. And the slight majority for Harris will only come from the Muslim and/or the Arab voters.
In any way, American Muslim participation in this election , and in any election of the US, is crucially important not only to elect an officials at the local, state and federal levels. It is not only to elect city council members or a Mayor, State Senator/Assembly members or a Governor, Senators/Congress members or President/Vice Presidents. More importantly, Muslim participation in this election is proof to ourselves that we are an integral part of this nation and willing to participate and contribute to its betterment.
At the end of the day, it does not really matter what the election outcome will be. It’s is only a four year business. But the American Muslims are here and will continue to exist and contribute to make America better and stronger or to make America great, but certainly not in the Trump definition. Because we know in Trump’s definition, America’s greatness means America with white nationalist dominance or white supremacy.
To my fellow American Muslims, our strength rests very much in our ability to establish ukhuwah and unity. But our ukhuwah or unity doesn’t necessarily mean being a uniformity in our choice in this coming election. And so even if we have different choices and preferred candidates in this election, remember we are still Brothers and Sisters and we must continue to strengthen the bond of our Ukhuwah and unity. Insha_Allah!
May Allah bless us all!
Manhattan, 31 October 2024
Directors/Imam, Jamaica Musl
