Muslim, Pakistani-American, and Supporting Donald Trump
Here’s a sampling of Republican Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric on Muslims:
First, he wanted to place a blanket ban on Muslims entering the U.S. Next, he called for “extreme vetting” of Muslims from certain countries before they could enter the U.S. He also accused Muslims in America of celebrating the 9/11 attacks.
So are there any Muslim voters supporting Trump?
Well, yes. Saba Ahmed, a Pakistani-American lawyer based in Washington DC, is not only a Trump supporter but also the president and founder of the Republican Muslim Coalition.
Ahmed, who switched from Democrat to Republican in 2011, said she left the Democrats because “their liberal agenda and liberal values are in direct conflict with my faith.” Her group, the RMC, aims to bring the Republican Party together with Muslims.
The coalition has chapters in Virginia, Illinois, New York, Florida, and Texas, and Ahmed says she hopes to expand further. She was born in Pakistan but grew up in Oregon, in what she describes as a “traditional and conservative” Pakistani home.
Why is Ahmed supporting a candidate who has spoken so harshly about her faith?
“I am supporting Donald Trump because of his economic and trade policies,” she said in a phone interview this morning. “I don’t support his statements against Muslims.”
Ahmed said she believes there is a lot of misunderstanding about Muslims in the Republican Party. “Most Republicans are concerned about issues of national security, and they don’t know about our faith,” she said. “Our goal is to educate them about Islam and Muslims.”
Is Ahmed concerned that the party may be alienating many American Muslims? “We know that this is a problem, and that is exactly what we are trying to change,” she said. Ahmed believes Trump has moderated his views — backing down, for example, from his initial call for a blanket ban on Muslims entering the U.S. — because of efforts like hers.
And she believes a Trump presidency would be a better choice for peace.
“He wants to end wars,” Ahmed said. “Look at Hillary Clinton and look at what she did in the Middle East — with Libya, Syria, Iraq. Trump is against all of that.”
Trump’s victory speech signaled his intent to unify the nation but when it comes to Muslims in America, Trump has his work cut out. Ahmed said that all Trump needs to do is respect the country’s constitution. “Trump needs to assure all Americans that he will be a president for everyone and will respect the U.S. Constitution granting religious freedoms and liberties to all.”
Trump positioned himself as pro-India in his election campaign, even going on to adapt the Indian Prime Minister’s election slogan in a campaign ad. “Ab ki baar, Trump sarkaar,” said Trump in the ad. The ad also discredited Clinton for her support to Pakistan. What, then, will Trump’s election as president mean for Pakistani, especially when Pakistan and India continue to have tense relations?
“Pakistan needs to step up their lobbying efforts in Washington DC,” warned Ahmed. “There are many Indian special interests working with Trump against Pakistan. If we don’t defend ourselves, I’m afraid it will be a tough road ahead for Pakistan.”
As president of the Republican Muslim Coalition, Ahmed said she looked forward to working with “the Pakistani-American community to improve relations between the two countries.”
