Young U.S. Muslims Shift to Democrats This Election

Medhi and Keisha Islam, Muslim-Americans from Fullerton, California, are looking for political change. They want to be represented by someone who is culturally diverse, as they are. Medhi is Southeast Asian-American and his wife Keisha comes from a bi-racial family of German American and African American descent. The Islams see their diversity mirrored in Barack Obama.

"Our country is a melting pot. There are lots of different kinds of people here, so why shouldn't our leadership represent that?"

The Islams, like many middle class Muslim Americans, feel that Senator John McCain has lumped them with terrorists while Senator Obama has kept the door open for dialogue. Medhi says Obama won him over with his decision about the war in Iraq. "Obama knew it wasn't the right war. He wanted to go after Bin Laden, in Afghanistan."

Edina Lekovic works for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a non-profit Muslim American political advocacy group. She says typically, Muslims are socially conservative which is why they voted overwhelmingly for George W Bush in 2000. However after 9/11, Lekovic says many Muslims regretted that vote. President Bush pushed for the passage of the Patriot Act and the curtailing of civil liberties. Lekovic says many Muslims, especially women who cover with the Muslim headscarf, the hijab, felt targeted. "Many Muslims are looking for a president who can balance national security with civil rights. They are particularly offended and outraged by domestic surveillance."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations reports that thousands of Muslim Americans reported harassment and discrimination in the year after 9/11. While those reports have subsided, the feeling among some young Muslim Americans, particularly women who cover with the hijab, is that they are still being targeted.

"What bothers me is that when I go back to fly home to Portland or back here to school, I can never check in like anyone else. They always see my ID and the screen doesn't let me check in. When I go through the metal detector, I don't beep but they still pat me down. It's humiliating. I ask why but no one ever answers my questions." says USC student Sumiya Ahmed.

Because of his position to end racial profiling and the war in Iraq, Obama has drawn considerable support from the Muslim American community. A 2007 Pew survey states that 63% of Muslim Americans say they are Democrats compared to 11 % who consider themselves Republicans. But as the Pew survey shows, Muslims Americans are not a monolithic group. They are people of all ethnicities. Typically, they are highly educated, financially well-off and socially conservative. While those social views may have been the primary factor in the 2000 election, many Muslim Americans are voting on the economy and foreign policy in this election.

"Obama has the best economic policy. I don't want anymore tax breaks for Wall Street. I want to feel secure with my money in the bank, and in the stock market. I think Obama has the best plan to get us out of this crisis." says 26-year-old Farrah Shah.

The Pew survey reflects this shift: the majority of young Muslim Americans are supporting Obama. The same study shows that two thirds of Muslim Americans say it is more difficult to be a Muslim American today than before 9/11, and according to that study, this is particularly true for younger Muslims. According to CAIR, the number of reports from Muslims of being harassed and the victims of violence jumped dramatically in the year after 9/11.

Terrorism created a divide in the Muslim American community. According to surveys by CAIR, most Muslim Americans say that the candidates' views on how to handle terrorism will be a primary factor in how they will vote this election.

"These terrorists are crazy. Their violent actions have nothing to do with Islam." says Hashmi. "John McCain understands we must fight the terrorists to the end."

The Pew study shows that older Muslim Americans support the military fight against terrorism, especially in Afghanistan, more often than younger Muslim Americans. Duke professor Jen'nan Ghazel Read says this divide is normal. Her research shows that the majority of Muslim Americans, who were born in the Middle East or Southeast Asia, still have a strong connection to their native homelands, despite years of being in this country.

Fifty-nine-year-old Hashmi was born and raised in Pakistan. She worries about her father and other relatives still living there. "In Islamabad, there's a bomb. In Karachi, there's a bomb. You are not safe anywhere. We need an American President who can act in a big way who is committed to helping the Pakistanis fight terrorism." She thinks that man is John McCain.

Hashmi's daughter, Shah, also concerned about Islamic extremism, believes that president should be Barack Obama. She prefers his emphasis on diplomacy and using military action as a last resort. "We need to keep our enemies close," she says, "let's talk to them. We'll be safer that way."

There are other issues important to Muslims. Research shows that Muslim American women want a president who will help the marginalized, as the Prophet Muhammad did. Shah agrees with this and wants action. "I want someone who does more than just talk about equality. I want someone who has done something," says Shah. "Obama's role as a community organizer sealed my vote."

Both women say their desire to help the marginalized is rooted in their Islamic faith but they do not want to make their political decisions based on their religion alone. Islam informs their decision-making but is not the decisive factor.

"I judge the candidates on the issues that are important to me, their policies," says Hashmi.

"I'm a social conservative, pro-life. But I do not want my personal religious views mixed up with politics." says Shah. "It's a disaster; just look at what we have now: a failed Iraq war and an economy in crisis."

Comments

[neocon666]

Considering the way that the republicans have vilified Islam, you'd think it would be a no-brainer for the muslim community to shift away from the party of bigotry and ignorance.

[rowzeer]

Ignorance comes in all colors

[Hope01]

Anyone who wants to discriminate against a someone's ethnicity or religion is beyond reproach. Intelligent people know that Muslamic faith does not make you a terroist. Hm... let's see I believe the KKK is on the the FBI terrorist list to which some of these ignorant, bigot, racist cowards ( to afraid to throw on a sheet) are proud to support. Who cares what they think! News Flash the true Americans who really love this country are not going to be held captive by hate.

[peacegurl48]

BEAUTIFUL! I am an African American Catholic Christian woman and I welcome my Muslim brothers and sisters and apologize for the hate spewing from the McCain/Pailin campaign. My parents raised me to love everyone and our circle of friends was truly global. I have had wonderful conversations with Muslim friends about loving others and working towards peace and social justice. Obama speaks of WE...

Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. Helen Keller

[timberdoodle]

Unfortunately the Evangelicals are the curse of the earth and won't rest until they suppress all Americans into the narrow minded world they view as morally acceptable. Just watch the Michael Moore movie Slacker Uprising and see the interview with a young evangelical protestor who states God talks through George Bush.

If the latter doesn't scare moderate sensible Americans then they need to put more thought into what their country will look like as these youngsters grow up and try to cope with modern society and the outside world. Sad.

[AZterritory]

I would love to see the day when this headline reads "Young U.S. INFORMED and INTELLIGENT Voters switch to Democrats" Maybe in 2012 Obama/Biden-12.

[Shieldmaiden]

Arab Americans and Muslims have gotten the crappy end of the stick this election. Stupid GOP.

[floib]

Terrific report.

[Mysticalsister]

"Fifty-nin­e-year-old Hashmi was born and raised in Pakistan." And she supports McCain.

What is wrong with this picture? Given the hate speak of the last week -- conflating Obama with Osama and terrorists -- McCain has show absolute disregard for anyone! He is manipulating the fears and prejudice of white christians -- and fomenting hatred for everyone else! And yet, there are African Americans and muslims in this country who would STILL vote for this guy(!) . . . well, that just leaves me speechless. I just don't get it at all! Do they need a redneck to take a pot shot at them or their kid, cause that's what McCain is whipping up in his desperate last ditch effort to smear the black guy so he can win.

geezus.

[Samalabear]

Confusing indeed. Not to mention the fact that eight years of Bush have spread terrorism exponentially around the world.

[Rogger]

Great article. Well written. We are all Americans. We love this country and this just shows what America is all about.

[PhDiva]

I am African Ameircan and Christian. I feel that African Americans of all religious backgrounds have a moral obligation to stand up and support Muslims in this country and to object to the Islamaphobia, Xenophobia, and racism of those who are attacking them. I am supporting Obama, but I would like him to take a stronger stand on this issue. My Muslim brothers and sisters, you have my support and my prayers.

[hypnotoad72]

Or the fear, death threats, or homophobia they happen to exude?

It works both ways.

After 9/11, there wasn't much in the way of prominent Muslims denouncing the attacks... some felt more mea culpas than anything else.

It works both ways and if people really want unity, they will need more than an eloquent figurehead to progress. A certain minister Farrakhan, eloquent as he is, hasn't gotten very far either.

Also, in politics, the game is to win. The instant Obama chimes up about this "issue", how long before his polls drop by double digits? 20 seconds?

[jenrose]

Good report... yes! yes! yes! Speakup americans dont allow this!

[walk0nwalls]

Really good report, thank you.

[krompessor]

I am very involved in both the Arab American an Muslim community in the largest populated US region of Dearborn Michigan and throughout northwest Ohio. And I can assure you that everyone is voting for Obama. These are people that are socially conservative, and most voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004. This is the tipping point for Ohio most especially, add another 200,000 votes for Obama. The Dearborn,D­etroit,Lan­sing,and surrounding community's have pretty much pushed a large margin of victory for Obama/Biden.

[wandering girl]

so much for the Neo-Cons stereotyping Islam.

[Kwaayesnama]

Thank you, I would like to tell you about my best friend Nehla.
I’m a 61-year-old white, Catholic Woman.
My Best friend Nehla is a 58-year-old Democratic American Muslim woman. The only difference between us is Nehla preys five times a day and covers her hair. She is the kindest most generous person that I know. She and her husband own a Native American art gallery. One weekend my husband and I were helping them in the gallery and Nehla and Johnny had a fabulous day. That evening we were in a restaurant and on the way out Nehla handed the woman that was cleaning the toilets two $100 bills. The woman cried because she was just worrying about how she was going to pay a $200 bill! When I asked her why she did that she said her religion requires that they take care of the poor. And she said she sensed that GOD would want her to help that woman.
On the way home I told Nella to have a good day, she answered GOD willing.
Gee! Did she mean the Muslim God or my Christian God?
She supported Hillary but said she will now vote for Obama.
I support Obama.

[wandering girl]

your story made me cry. God bless you, your friend, Obama, and the US.

[ebm]

That was very nice. Makes you wonder how some poeple call themselves Christian and never come close to doing such a kind act like your friend. God Bless her!

[Dystopic]

The Christian God & the Muslim God are the same god.

Most Christians are astonished to learn that The Koran was dictated to Mohammed by Gabriel...

Most Christians are surprised to learn that Islam teaches about Jesus, as another Prophet.

It's like the tension between Christians & Jews ... all the same...

Decent people are decent people, regardless of religion, or absense there of.

[AryanMjolnir]

Supposedly...but not really.

[pejo]

Most Christians are surprised to learn that Islam teaches about Jesus, as another Prophet.

You are right...
If i'm not mistaken, they have 25 Prophet( Muhammad was the last and most revered)
Those 25 included Abraham and Jesus.

I guess the terrorists use the Islam name just as a tool to make themselves feel better of what they are doing..without thinking about the consequences.
Same as the people who are calling for Rapture..

[Shiral]

Your friend is indeed a kind, generous woman. Good for her!

[grata2ude]

A friend of mine was a Professor of English ad Teheran University at the time of the taking of US hostages. She was evacuated out of Iran and to this day, she says she would go back there any day any time because she loved the Iranian people.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe there are more decent people of all faiths and races in this world than there are bad.

The good just need to be heard more.