US Elections 2016: The American Muslim Perspective

Around 3.3 million Muslims reside in America, according to a recent study. Out of these 1 million, Muslims are getting ready to vote in the presidential elections of 2016. Muslims seem really enthusiastic and encouraged to participate in the upcoming contest. The number of American-Muslims registered this year has exceeded its target by becoming doubling in number as compared to presidential elections of 2012.  

 The driving force behind this exuberance and spirit is the ongoing presidential campaign. This season’s campaign is more like a soap opera than a political campaign. We hear this statement “most important elections of lifetime” cliché yet this year the saying is true for the Muslims of USA.

Mobilized by Donald Trump ‘Muslim ban’

This voter drive was propelled right after Donald Trump, the presidential candidate from the Republican side, gave his verdict of Muslim immigrants "total shut down". This statement brought shivers all through Muslim community, making many Muslims voters to participate in this year's poll. This high-level civic participation is due to the rise in Islamophobia across the nation. 

The South Asian and Arab immigrants constitute the majority of Muslims in the USA. Historically the participation of this community has been negligible. However, Trump's vitriol has propelled them into action and energized the Muslim community in a new way. Muslims are upset and anguish upon the anti-Islam propaganda yet they are fully aware of the importance to vote.

Shift in views

After the 9/11 incident and Iraq invasion of Bush Republican, many minority groups have changed their opinions and are drifting towards Democratic. A recent survey of CAIR showed a visible inclination of Muslim voters for Hillary Clinton. Only 4% of the registered Muslim voters planned to cast their ballots in favor of Donald Trump.

Organizer claimed their strategic targeting of key states as the Muslim population’s vote could prove to be crucial. A large part of Muslim immigrants reside in New Jersey, California and New York which are preponderantly Democratic states. Other states like Florida, Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania also comprise of large Muslim communities.

The recent ISPU’s poll shows the main reason 27% Muslims will vote this year is owing to civic duty. 22% are those who have this opinion that their vote matters. In the current electoral situation, Muslims understand that the future is vital for them. The high political activity of the Muslim community is for the reason that they feel they could make a difference.