











Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Michigan : NPR














Accessibility links 
Skip to main content
Keyboard shortcuts for audio player
















                    Open Navigation Menu
                









Newsletters




NPR Shop








                    Close Navigation Menu




Home



News
Expand/collapse submenu for News


National
World
Politics
Business
Health
Science
Climate
Race




Culture
Expand/collapse submenu for Culture


Books
Movies
Television
Pop Culture
Food
Art & Design 
Performing Arts
Life Kit
Gaming




Music
Expand/collapse submenu for Music



        Best Music of 2024
    


        All Songs Considered
    


        Tiny Desk
    


        Music Features
    


        Live Sessions
    




Podcasts & Shows
Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows


Daily




                                    Morning Edition
                                




                                    Weekend Edition Saturday
                                




                                    Weekend Edition Sunday
                                




                                    All Things Considered
                                




                                    Fresh Air
                                




                                    Up First
                                


Featured



        The NPR Politics Podcast
    



        Throughline
    



        Trump's Terms
    



        Wild Card with Rachel Martin
    


More Podcasts & Shows





Search




Newsletters





NPR Shop
















        Best Music of 2024
    


        All Songs Considered
    


        Tiny Desk
    


        Music Features
    


        Live Sessions
    







About NPR
Diversity
Support
Careers
Press
Ethics





Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Michigan Arab Americans and Muslims have been frustrated with the Biden administration’s response to the ongoing war in Gaza and the expanding conflict into Lebanon.


 

Politics



On the trail in Michigan, Harris hears concerns about Gaza and Lebanon










Updated October 4, 20246:21 PM ET

                    Originally published October 4, 202412:44 PM ET




















      Asma Khalid
    























                Vice President Harris waves after landing in Flint, Mich., on Oct. 4.
                
                    
                    Geoff Robins/AFP
                    
                
hide caption


toggle caption


        
        Geoff Robins/AFP
        
    


Vice President Harris met briefly on Friday with a group of Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Mich., to hear their concerns about the war in Gaza and civilian casualties in Lebanon. 

 
Politics 
Leaders of the movement that protested Biden on Israel express some hope on Harris






Harris was in Flint for a campaign rally, but met with the leaders privately ahead of time. Her campaign did not disclose their names. "The vice president heard directly their perspectives on the election and the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon," her campaign told reporters. The meeting comes as her campaign works to build support with Arab Americans and Muslims who have been frustrated with the Biden administration’s response to the ongoing war in Gaza and the expanding conflict into Lebanon. The key swing state of Michigan has one of the largest Arab American populations in the country. 
Sponsor Message



What Harris said to the leaders about the conflicts Harris talked about her concerns about civilian deaths and suffering in both Gaza and Lebanon, the campaign said. She said diplomacy was needed to stabilize the situation and talked about efforts to prevent a wider regional war. "The vice president discussed her efforts to end the war in Gaza, such that: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, self-determination," the campaign said. This meeting comes in a week where Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, spoke to a Muslim group focused on getting out the vote activities. Her national security adviser Phil Gordon also met virtually with Muslim and Arab community leaders to reiterate that the Biden administration is working to bring about a cease-fire. The community is divided as the election draws closer A poll published this week by the Arab American Institute found Harris and her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, at roughly even levels of support among Arab Americans. In recent years, the group had favored Democrats by large margins. “In our 30 years of polling Arab American voters, we have not witnessed anything like the role that the war on Gaza is having on voter behavior,” said James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, in a statement. 

 
Politics 
'Uncommitted' movement doesn't endorse Harris, but asks supporters to vote against Trump






The war has led to months of tension between the Democratic Party and Arab Americans and Muslims. Members of the "uncommitted" movement protested Biden as the party's nominee and later unsuccessfully sought a speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention. The leaders of the movement are not endorsing Harris, but have also told supporters to vote against Trump. Some people are withholding their endorsements One high-profile member of Michigan’s Arab American community has endorsed Trump: Amer Ghalib, the mayor of Hamtramck. 
Sponsor Message



Trump has not overtly courted Arab American and Muslim voters himself, and on the campaign trail has encouraged Israel to “finish what they started” in the Middle East. He has also repeatedly used “Palestinian” to insult Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish member of Congress. But Massad Boulos — the father-in-law to Tiffany Trump, the former president’s daughter — has been helping with outreach to some Arab Americans. Boulos, who is Lebanese American, has met with community leaders in Michigan. Earlier this week, a number of imams, including some prominent voices in the American Muslim community, signed on to a public letter urging Muslims to vote for a third-party candidate. “We are not choosing between a lesser and greater evil; we are staring down two monstrous evils: one that is currently committing genocide and one which is committed to also continue it,” the imams said, in coordination with a group called “Abandon Harris.” But other Muslims and Arab Americans see Harris as the better option. Emgage Action, a Muslim voter group, endorsed Harris last week despite opposition to the administration’s Middle East policies. The group was part of the meeting with Harris on Friday. “If we want a cease-fire, if we want to have a conversation about aid to Israel, if we want to support a more credible peace process that leads to Palestinian statehood, which of these two commander-in-chiefs gives us a better pathway forward?” said Wa'el Alzayat, the CEO of Emgage Action, in an interview. "The change we want to see, we are going to have to fight for it very hard. Her administration gives us the ability to have that fight. The Trump administration just doesn't," he said.



Kamala Harris
uncommitted
Michigan
Gaza
Lebanon





Facebook
Flipboard
Email




















Read & Listen

Home
News
Culture
Music
Podcasts & Shows



Connect

Newsletters
Facebook
Instagram
Press
Public Editor
Corrections
Contact & Help



About NPR

Overview
Diversity
NPR Network
Accessibility
Ethics
Finances



Get Involved

Support Public Radio
Sponsor NPR
NPR Careers
NPR Shop
NPR Events
NPR Extra





Terms of Use
Privacy
Your Privacy Choices
Text Only










 


Sponsor MessageBecome an NPR sponsor









I’m glad she’s trying or at least looks like she’s trying but I hope she and her team (I’m sure they know) to not hold their breath for the support.  The Titanic needs to get out of this iceberg infested waters first and to New York first before anything else.  We’ve thrown lifeboats and etc and a lot didn’t want it unless she jumps in the water as well.  We’ll come back with a search and rescue after the race is done.