Harun Nasrullah
Only 28 per cent of Muslim Americans approve of President Joe Biden’s presidential performance so far, according to a midterm election survey conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Most Muslim respondents (78 per cent) also report disapproving of Congress’ performance, compared to the 7.8 per cent that approve of its performance.
However, the survey’s findings, released on July 6, show that despite the low approval ratings for the incumbent administration, 59 per cent of Muslim Americans plan to vote for Democratic congressional candidates in the midterm elections, compared with just 10.5 per cent who plan to vote Republican.
And despite the high disapproval ratings for both parties’ policies, 91.2 per cent of respondents stated that they are likely to vote in the midterms.
The low approval ratings have also not altered Muslim voters’ views of the Republican Party, with 84 per cent of Muslim voters regarding the party as unfriendly towards Muslims compared to those who view it as neutral (12.8 per cent).
The survey, titled American Muslim Voter Midterm Election Survey, polled Muslim voters regarding their views on abortion, gun control, the economy, the upcoming midterm elections, and President Biden’s job performance, among other issues.
Most Muslim respondents report that they plan to support the Democratic Party (59.2 per cent) in their state’s November election. 9.1 per cent report they plan to vote ‘Independent or not a member of a party’ and 15.1 per cent were ‘unsure’ which political party they plan to vote for in November.
Most Muslim respondents (66.9 per cent) report that they want ‘Democrats to win control of Congress in the November midterm election,’ compared to the 11.4 per cent that want Republicans to win control of Congress.
Nearly the same number of respondents view the Democratic Party as being friendly (40.6 per cent) toward Muslims as neutral (43.1 per cent).
The top five important domestic issues Muslim respondents report being concerned with during the 2022 midterm election cycle include gun violence (75.6 per cent), civil rights (71.1 per cent), the economy (70.5 per cent), healthcare access (66.5 per cent), and religious freedom (65.5 per cent).
The top five key Muslim-related foreign policy issues Muslim respondents report being concerned with during the 2022 midterm election cycle include Israeli occupation of Palestine (90.5 per cent), Chinese genocide of Uyghur Muslims (87.4 per cent), oppression of Muslims in India (80.8 per cent), Burma genocide of Rohingya Muslims (75.8 per cent), and starvation in Afghanistan (67.4 per cent).
Muslim respondents report being equally divided in their opinions on how state laws should regulate abortion after the end of the 1973 Roe v. WadeSupreme Court ruling.
15 per cent support limiting abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, 13 per cent support a limit after 15 weeks, and 13 per cent support a limit after 6 weeks. All of these are with an exception for medical emergencies, while 7 per cent support a total prohibition on abortion at any stage, and 14 per cent support allowing abortion in any state.
By gender, Muslim women were more likely to support permissive state laws on abortion than men. In contrast, Black and African American Muslims were more likely to favour stricter laws on abortion than other racial groups.
Most Muslim respondents (82.3 per cent) support a federal ban on semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15.
The majority of Muslim respondents report (74.3 per cent) supporting the full or partial cancellation of all federal student loan debt.
Most Muslim respondents report (40.2 per cent) that they think Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment in the US has stayed the same since President Trump left office, while 32.6 per cent of respondents say it has increased and 21.9 per cent of respondents report it has decreased.
CAIR Deputy Director, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, said, “As our survey reveals, American Muslims are a diverse and politically active community that holds unique views on the key political issues of our time, including abortion, gun control, religious freedom, international human rights, and other major issues. President Biden and other elected officials should take concrete actions to address these and other pressing issues of concern to American Muslims and many other Americans.”
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