Last month, city councilor Mohammed Hassan in Hamtramck, Michigan, received a call from Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign asking how to win back disaffected Michigan Muslims. Hassan and others had been critical of the lack of outreach from the campaign to the Muslim community. The Harris campaign has since ramped up efforts to appeal to Michigan Muslims, who are concerned about U.S. support for Israel’s actions in Gaza and Southern Lebanon. Some community leaders fear backlash for supporting Harris, leading to challenges in finding endorsers. The Arab America PAC is meeting to decide on a presidential endorsement, with some advocating for leaving the top of the ticket blank. Harris has gained support from diverse Muslim communities, but faces resistance from some Palestinian and Arab Americans. Harris’ supporters acknowledge the difficulty in supporting her given ongoing U.S. policies in the Middle East, but hope for a change in her stance on Israel. The emergence of groups like Arab Americans for Harris-Walz show efforts to distinguish Harris from Biden and emphasize opposition to Trump’s policies. The Harris campaign maintains that she has been supportive of the Muslim community and is committed to ending the conflict in Gaza. Despite internal conflict and external pressure, Harris supporters are hopeful that her efforts and positions will resonate with Muslim and Arab American voters.
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Potential backlash for Arab and Muslim leaders supporting Harris
