Why Muslims Vote
September 27, 2024
American politicians have long ignored the concerns of American Muslims. Today, politicians continue to ignore our concerns about the U.S. role in Israel’s indiscriminate harm to innocent civilians, fostering Islamophobic rhetoric, promoting unjust policies affecting Americans, and supporting actions that threaten our religious freedoms and civic institutions.
In these critical times, we reaffirm our religious and civic commitments, urging our community members to amplify their voices by voting conscientiously in the upcoming elections and in every election. We unite as Islamic scholars and leaders to remind our community of our beloved Prophet’s teachings, peace be upon him, who urged us to actively resist evil in all its forms. He said, “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue, and if he cannot, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith" [Muslim]. Voting, without a doubt, is one of the primary means through which we can improve our society and inhibit injustice from continuing to occur.
In various states, the participation of the Muslim community in elections can elect leaders whose foreign policy stances reflect our desires for international justice and peace. Equally important are state and local elections, where officials make critical decisions impacting our daily lives — from educational policies to local law enforcement and public health. Local elections directly affect community projects, schools, roads, and taxes. By engaging in the electoral process, the Muslim community sends a potent message to politicians at all levels to address the needs and broad interests of our community.
Each vote cast by a Muslim American increases our visibility on voter rolls, which politicians use to gauge demographics and shape policy. Although we may hold diverse political views, our strength is in showing up to vote in large numbers. Doing so will help sway policies that impact not only our community but society at large.
By voting, we aspire for God to recognize our efforts as those of the best among people, whom He described as those who "encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in God" (Quran 3:110). To achieve this status, we suggest the following action items.
Action Items for Our Community
- Make a Plan to Vote: Register and motivate others to do the same. Decide how (early, in-person, or by mail) and when (early or on election day) you will vote. Vote down the ballot in local races and vote every election.
- Vote with Conscience: Choose candidates that embody the ethical teachings of Islam, advocating for justice and the common good. Seek out resources and leaders that can help you in these decisions.
- Stay Informed: Educate yourself about the candidates and the issues at stake.
- Engage Consistently, Compassionately: Participate in dialogues and civic activities wisely and compassionately, following the Prophetic example. Form or join civic engagement committees at your local mosque, engage with your local civic institutions, run for public office, and support political causes.
Action Items for Masajid
- Form a Civic Engagement Committee: A dedicated committee can help strengthen ties to the broader community.
- Communicate Voting Deadlines & Reminders: Incorporate voting encouragement into khutbahs especially leading up to election day. Email / WhatsApp message (templates linked) the community reminders and voting information.
May Allah guide us to be agents of positive change, uphold justice, and foster a society that mirrors the highest moral standards.