By: Shamsi Ali Al-Kajangi
This Tuesday, November 5th, is an important day for America. It’s an Election Day. For its significance, its been decided as an official holiday for Public schools and certain government offices. It is the day when the Americans will decide who will lead them for four years to come.
This year election has become even more crucially important, particularly when it comes to several important factors. Our global world affairs are more visibly threatening. Our world is on the brink of the possibility of World War III. Beside the danger of climate change and natural disasters, poverty and the gap between the haves and the have nots are sickening. In addition to the real threat to our human values and morality. One of those is how our family value are threatened by the concept of same sex marriage.
I am not here to list all the problems our world is facing today. I just want to remind all that our world is not in a fine state. The problems we are facing are real and imminent. And this US election, more or less, will either embolden the problems or will bring solution to some of the world problems. My argument is simple. Many of those problems to some degree are connected to America. From wars, poverty and human gap (racially and economically), to social morality crisis, are American products.
Having said that I must say I appreciate also the many great things America has done and continue to do. At least on the domestic front America is still a land of dreams and opportunities. From economic and educational opportunities, to political and social freedom, America is still far better than many other countries including some of those Europeans and surely this is greatly admired.
Muslims must vote in this election
Looking into those facts, both domestically and globally, America can and must play an important role to better our world state. And as in any other country those are in leadership position must take the lead to do so. Therefore this political process or election is crucial to decide who will lead this nation to do better and more for a better world.
Taking this into consideration I must say that American Muslims must take part in the political process of the country to elect its leaders, including electing president and vice president. Muslims must not continue to be passive and hope others will do the job. It is the time to take part in bringing this nation into a right direction. A direction that is inline with the American values; freedom, equality and justice for all.
Beyond just to elect a leader (president or vice president) for American Muslims taking part in the political process has more noble purposes. It is in fact a way to build a self recognition and empowerment. A way to declare that we are here an integral part of this nation, possessing the exact equal rights as other Americans do.
The American Muslims know that there is a difference between America and other countries when it comes to politics. In some countries taking part in politics may be considered a threat to the establishment (government). In America taking part in the political process is a way to be recognized, both by the government and the society.
In other words, we will be counted (recognized) and our rights are to be accommodated better and effectively when we take a part in the political process. Taking part here means registering to vote, voting, donating for a candidate (as Zionists mostly do), or even becoming political contestants (candidates for public offices).
But beyond all those been mentioned above the US Muslims must take part in this process because politic for us is a way to bring a better change to the nation. Bringing change to the nation is known in Islam as “al-amru bi al-ma’ruf wa an-nahyu an al-munkar” (enjoining good, forbidding evil”). And this Ummah is the agent of change. On their shoulder lies the responsibility to bring change to the world to make it better for all to live. And that must begin from America, the most powerful nation on earth.
Hence, before deciding whom to vote for in tomorrow election, the American Muslims are aware first of their responsibility to get out and vote. And I don’t care whom you will vote in the first place. I just want to remind you to get out and vote! That’s it!
Manhattan City, 4 November 2024
(Director/Imam, Jamaica Muslim Center - Muslim Chaplain, NYHHC/Bellevue Hospital).