US Muslims launch political campaigns against US Prez

Muslims who reside in the United States have launched different political campaigns against President Donald Trump's "oppressive" policies on the community, ahead of the gubernatorial elections scheduled in November this year. Various Muslim and Arab advocacy groups-- like Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Emgage (formerly called Emerge USA), and the Arab American Institute have trained aspiring political activists, tracking rising politicians and running get-out-the-vote campaigns in regards to the rise in hate attacks against the minority community in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, The Washington Post reported.

According to a poll by Emgage, a non-profit organisation working towards promoting Muslim political engagement in the country, 53 percent of Muslim voters said that they felt "less safe" after the 2016 US election.

"But the response has been increased civic participation. I'm one of the people who, looking at the longterm impact of this, is optimistic," Wa'el Alzayat, the organisation's chief executive was quoted by The Washington Post as saying.

The aspiring American Muslim candidates include all from different walks of lives, such as well-known political activists, former Obama administration officials, lawyers and physicians, a molecular biologist, women's rights advocates and a former Planned Parenthood manager.

Over 3.3 million Muslims are living in the US. However, they account for just two seats in the 535-seat Congress. Also, their voter participation is very less as compared to others, according to the report.

With the rise of such candidates, seeking to make a mark in the political circle, this has given rise to a "blue Muslim wave".