Saying they brought out scads and scads of voters in key swing states for Joe and Kamala, Muslim leaders now say they want a significant place in any Biden administration (assuming there is one).
Joe reaches out and now he is expected to deliver….
Muslim voters want more than ‘just a seat’ at the table from President-elect Joe Biden
In an election year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty and calls for social justice, a record number of Muslims have mailed in their ballots and headed to the polls, continuing a surge in voter registration and political engagement seen after President Trump took office in 2016, according to Emgage, a national get-out-the-vote group that focuses on Muslims. Emgage Action, an arm of Emgage, endorsed and supported President-elect Joe Biden.
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Muslim organizers say that voters have often felt ignored by presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle, with the exception of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ two presidential campaigns. They expect thoughtful engagement on key issues and inclusion from the next administration, including considering Muslims for Cabinet- and upper-level positions.
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Many were encouraged when Biden, as the Democratic nominee, engaged with voters as part of Emgage’s Million Muslim Votes plan, pledged to end the Trump administration’s travel ban on several Muslim-majority nations and promised to fill the position of Muslim American liaison in the White House Office of Public Engagement.
“The idea is that Muslims will be included in a Biden-Harris administration,” Deen, 41, said. “I am somewhere between cautiously optimistic and doubtful.” [Doubtful? Thought they were sure Joe was their man.—ed]
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We want more Muslim refugees admitted to the US (more voters for next time!) CAIR-LA Director Hussam Ayloush pictured with Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
For years, Muslim voters have watched as President Trump campaigned across the country, declaring that “Islam hates us” and calling for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.” His administration passed a travel ban on Muslim-majority nations in 2017 and has repeatedly cut the cap for refugee admissions at a time when many Middle Eastern refugees are seeking U.S. asylum.
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The Muslim community also would like to see the Biden administration change refugee limits to allow more people into the country after the U.S. reached a historic low under Trump, said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR’s Greater Los Angeles office — something that he hopes Muslim Americans themselves will be involved with as part of Biden’s team.
“We are definitely expecting a presence at a more senior level, and more serious engagement,” he said.
Then the Muslims interviewed go on to complain about the Homeland Security Department’s “countering violent extremism” program without ever mentioning that it was birthed in the Obama/Biden administration.
