The United States is a diverse country that includes various religions, nations, and races. Muslim Americans are one of the minorities, and political observers have never denied their role in state and national issues. The role of Muslims in elections is significant in terms of the number of voters and the social influence of prominent Muslim faces. Votes of Muslims have always connected to politicians’ policies about immigration issues in the U.S elections history. Many Muslim Americans were disappointed with President Trump because of his measures such as an executive order known as the Muslim Ban and recognition of Jerusalem as a Jewish capital. That’s why the Muslim community disagreed with Trump, and they voted for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in the 2020 U.S elections because they have wanted equal opportunities without restrictions.
The U.S has divided its power, wealth, and privileges between different religions, nations, and races as a diverse society. America’s constitution has emphasized protecting the life and liberty of all people. Many minorities live in the country, and the Muslim community in the U.S is an effective minority. That’s why 3.45 million Muslims which are 1.1% of the total population reside in the country, according to a 2017 estimate by Pew Research Center. Also, Muslims have always been influential in the country’s elections.
Many prominent American Muslims have disagreed with President Trump. For instance, American model Bella Hadid marched in protest against President Trump’s executive order seeking to halt refugees and visitors from seven predominantly Muslim countries in 2017 that known Muslim Ban. Moreover, The American Muslim journalist Fareed Zakaria has been a tough dissident of Trump. He said on CNN,” Trump announced his campaign for the White House by making slurs against Mexicans. He proposed a “total and complete shutdown” of the nation’s borders to all Muslims from anywhere in the world. Throughout the campaign, his rhetoric toward foreigners and minorities was insulting.” Another one is Farhana Khera the executive director for the Muslim Advocates. She struggles against Trump’s policies about immigration and religions. “There are today millions of Americans who, because of the Muslim ban, are separated from families and loved ones: parents and families who cannot be reunited, grandparents who are missing out on life events,” she said according to Aljazeera.
In general, Muslim Americans have been closer to the Democrat Party in terms of immigration issues and culture. According to Pew research, Three-quarters of Muslim voters say voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential elections, and Two-thirds of U.S. Muslims disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president. Moreover, nearly 69 percent of Muslim voters cast their ballot for Joe Biden whereas 17 percent supported President Donald Trump in the U.S presidential elections 2020, according to a survey conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
On Dec 6, 2017, the U.S recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; therefore, Muslims around the world protested against relocating the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to the disputed city which was a factor of Muslims’ dissatisfaction over the Trump administration. Also, the Muslim Ban issued by Trump has separated thousands of families and banned countless people to visit the U.S. The ban has affected the freedom of travel to America for many Muslims from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen even the ban has restricted many lottery winners from these countries to receive the U.S visa. The restrictive measures of Trump against Muslims have formed whereas the Democratic Party has disagreed with the restriction of Muslims.
President-elect Joe Biden promised during elections contrast that he will solve the problems of Muslims and said, “On day one I will end Trump’s unconstitutional Muslim Ban. My administration will look like America, with Muslim Americans serving at every level,” he said. ” So, the majority of Muslim Americans pushed Joe Biden to victory in key swing states like Michigan and Minnesota, and they now expect Biden to uphold his promises. Muslims hope the country returns to its former basic as a diverse and united community where there are no bans and restrictions for minorities.
Mohammad Javad Mousavizadeh is an Iran-based journalist and researcher writing on foreign affairs.
