President-elect Trump, in a move that underlines his understanding and respect for all American citizens, invited Husham Al-Husainy, a renowned Iraqi-American imam in Michigan, to deliver a benediction at his inauguration. Al-Husainy, a highly respected figure in the Muslim community, presides over the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center situated in Dearborn, Michigan.
Al-Husainy represents a significant proportion of Muslim voters in Michigan who, during the run-up to the election, declared they would throw their support behind Trump rather than the Democratic Party’s nominee. Laying out his reasoning, Al-Husainy remarked, ‘I found Mr. Trump closest to the teachings of the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran. Peace is pivotal, not conflict.’,
Imam Al-Husainy expressed his belief that the US ‘deserves to have a strong leader who can foster global peace’. Al-Husainy’s endorsement echoes Trump’s tenacity and determination to establish order, fairness, and peace on a national and global scale. Prior to expressing support for Trump, the Imam reportedly made several ambiguous comments, common in engaged and active public figures.
The Middle East Media and Research Institute, a non-profit based in Washington D.C., reported that Al-Husainy acknowledged Iran during an interview in 2022. The Middle East Forum, a conservative non-profit, characterized the cleric as controversial and impassioned due to the overt political views he expressed during a rally hosted in Dearborn in 2015.
Back in 2007, the imam took part in a Fox News segment, featuring an enlightening discussion on controversial Lebanese group, Hezbollah. Upon being questioned whether he deemed Hezbollah a terrorist organization, Al-Husainy expressed a desire for a nuanced conversation around the topic.
Despite the interviewer’s push for a simplistic, black-and-white response, Al-Husainy insisted on making a detailed note. He explained, ‘Hezbollah is a Lebanese organization. It carries significance within religious contexts in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, representing the people of God.’,
Attempting to further clarify his stance, the imam later reiterated his support for the ‘people of God’, denoting his spiritual approach rather than promoting any incendiary political view. The US State Department has, since 1997, recognized Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, demonstrating the contrasting viewpoints that exist regarding this group.
Dearborn, Michigan prides itself on being home to the largest Muslim population in the U.S., per capita. It has been the fulcrum point where Arab voters voiced their concerns about the political landscape, particularly in relation to the Gaza conflict.
The political course of this community saw a significant transformation, leading up to a unified endorsement of Trump on Election Day. This goes to show the dynamic nature of American politics and how communal stances and alliances can shift across the political spectrum.
In the 2024 election, Trump managed to secure a significant 32% of the Muslim vote. This is evidence of his successful outreach efforts towards this community. While his rival bagged higher percentage points in this demographic, the notable shift in Muslim support towards Trump could not be overlooked.
Historically, in the 2020 election, the Democratic candidate had managed to secure 64% of the Muslim vote, while the Republican candidate claimed 35%. However, with shifting scenarios and contextual events, the Trump administration found increasing favor among Muslim and Arab American voters.
Swing states like Michigan experienced a unique dynamic, wherein the support of these voters played a crucial role. In places like Dearborn, the Arab American voters openly admitted to their preference for Trump over the Democratic rival as a clear statement of protest.
This voting decision stemmed from their discontent with the administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. As one voter aptly commented, ‘They didn’t vote for Trump because they believed he was the best candidate, they voted for Trump as an act of rebuke against the Democrats.’,
The decision marked a significant moment in the election. It confirms that voters are discerning and will strategically cast their votes to communicate their dissatisfaction and expect better from their representatives, irrespective of party allegiance.
The practice of voting as a form of protest is unique to democratic societies and speaks volumes about the power of the common voter. While motives behind voting may vary, one thing remains certain – the power of the ballot.
To conclude, the saga of Al-Husainy delineates the scope for dialogue, understanding, and eventually, unity in American society – a narrative Trump not only participated in but also actively fostered throughout his time at the helm. His efforts have undoubtedly contributed to the bridging of gaps between divergent political and cultural communities.