Many Arab and Muslim American voters, frustrated with Israel's attacks on Gaza and support for the Democratic Party, are looking for alternatives in the upcoming US elections. But a segment of this community is now turning to the Republican Party for a different reason—the Democrats' “gender ideology” and the “misguided teaching” of children in schools.
Speaking to Turkish media outlet TRT World, many Muslim voters said the Democrats' “strange” gender doctrine was at odds with their Islamic values. Republicans are increasingly interested in the Republican Party led by Donald Trump as they directly challenge this doctrine.
Nagy Almudegi, a 50-year-old IT professional, lives in the swing state of Michigan. He said, this is not just a protest vote in Gaza. Many in our community are tired of the current state of the Democratic Party. This is not the party of the 80s and 90s, which my father supported.
He complained that the party was no longer in tune with the values ​​of mainstream Muslims and Arab Americans.
Donald Trump's 2017 executive order restricted entry to the United States for citizens of six Muslim-majority countries. The decision caused a backlash among Muslims, but now the Republican Party is appealing to Muslims by calling for the protection of religious freedom and family values.
Most mainstream Islamic doctrines allow abortion in special circumstances, but gender reassignment is strictly prohibited. As a result, the Democratic Party's ideology on gender and sexuality has created unease among the Muslim community.
In 2022, Muslim parents in Maryland and Michigan learned that their school district had changed the curriculum to teach books about 'gender and sexual identity' without informing parents beforehand. Outraged Muslim parents protested against such teaching of children and demanded the return of the 'opt-out' option.
At a rally in Michigan on October 26, Trump said Muslims do not support 'transgender operations'. He further said, we will resist your attempts to change the attitude of children.
“Parents don't want their children to be influenced by gender stereotypes and make life-changing decisions about their bodies,” said Omar Shajira, a 30-year-old Michigan prosecutor. The Muslim community is realizing that Republicans' conservative values ​​are compatible with their faith.
Samra Lukman, a Yemeni-American activist, said the Democrats' role in the Israeli offensive in Gaza is increasing support for Republicans among many Muslim Americans, but the defense of conservative values ​​is also a factor.
According to Lukman, this change is not just a subjective one; Rather, it is designed to protect conservative values ​​and punish Democrats.
