Harun Nasrullah
A group of prominent Muslim American scholars and imams have issued a letter urging Muslim voters to reject Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, due to the US’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza.
The letter, published on September 30, coincides with growing discontent within the Muslim American community towards the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel’s actions, which many, including rights groups and legal experts, consider to be genocide against Palestinians.
“We may not know what the future holds, but we know this: we will not taint our hands by voting for or supporting an administration that has brought so much bloodshed upon our brothers and sisters,” the letter states.
The scholars encourage Muslims to vote for third-party candidates such as the Green Party’s Jill Stein, who has seen a rise in support among Muslim Americans. “We want to be absolutely clear: don’t stay home and skip voting. This year, make a statement by voting third party for the presidential ticket,” the letter urges. “Equally important, vote all the way down the ballot for candidates and policies that stand for truth and justice, ensuring your voice is heard at every level.”
The letter, released in partnership with the “Abandon Harris” campaign, was signed by over 30 religious leaders nationwide. It follows a similar call from a coalition of major Muslim groups in the US, encouraging votes for third-party candidates like Stein, Dr Cornel West, Claudia De la Cruz of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, or Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver.
As the November 5 election approaches, polls show a close race between Harris and former President Donald Trump. Harris leads nationally by several points, but Trump is ahead in key battleground states like Michigan and Wisconsin. With neither candidate holding a decisive lead, Democrats fear another Trump victory and social media has seen a wave of criticism aimed at voters who refuse to support Harris, accusing them of enabling Trump’s return to power.
The imams who signed the letter dismissed these accusations as fearmongering, stating, “None of this is an endorsement of Donald Trump’s vile, racist agenda… Rather, it is about prioritising our faith and humanity, taking a stand for justice, and rejecting anyone who has supported, enacted, or promised to perpetuate such evil.”
The scholars acknowledged the consequences of a second Trump term, citing his Muslim ban, concessions to Israel, and harmful domestic policies, but emphasised that the Biden administration has not done enough to reverse these actions. “We recognise that the oppression of tens of millions within these borders is not limited to one political party—it is a systemic issue,” they wrote.
The letter also criticises the US administration for protecting Israel from international accountability, including at the UN and the International Court of Justice, and condemned Israel’s attacks on Palestinian civilians, which have left over 41,000 dead.
Photo: Muslim American leaders call on voters to oppose VP Kamala Harris due to US backing of Israel’s Gaza war, advocating for third-party candidates. (Credit: Lisa Ferdinando/DoD Flickr)
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