AhlulBayt News Agency: Amid rising anti-Muslim rhetoric and restrictive policies in Texas, mosque leaders and Muslim activists are urging greater electoral participation, presenting the Muslim vote as a means of defending religious freedom, family security and civil rights.
As the United States approaches its midterm elections, Muslims in Texas are seeking to respond to growing Islamophobia and policies they say threaten their rights and religious identity by increasing their participation in the electoral process.
Although no Muslim candidate is running in a statewide race in Texas, members of the Muslim community believe the election results could directly affect their social security, religious freedoms and the future of their families.
Republican policies: From Sharia restrictions to pressure on Muslim institutions
In recent years, Republican politicians in Texas have heightened political tensions by portraying Islamic law, or Sharia, as a threat.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pledged at a Republican campaign event to fully prohibit the implementation of Sharia in the state. Republican Senator Ted Cruz has also argued that Sharia is incompatible with the US Constitution and must be opposed.
In June, the Texas Republican Party adopted a document titled “Keep Texas Islamic-Free,” which reportedly proposed criminal penalties, restrictions on certain public-sector jobs, and even the revocation of citizenship and deportation for supporters of Sharia implementation.
Several state lawmakers and members of Congress have also joined groups operating under names such as “Texas Sharia-Free” and “America Sharia-Free.” The report notes that no state or jurisdiction in the United States has recognized the implementation of Islamic law.
Political pressure on Muslim institutions has also increased. Abbott has sought to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a foreign terrorist organization in Texas, while state Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the organization’s activities.
CAIR’s Texas chapter has filed a lawsuit against the governor in response, arguing that his actions violate its freedom of speech and legal rights. These developments have heightened concerns among Muslim organizations about restrictions on their civic and social activities.
Muslim families fear Islamophobia is becoming normalized
Samir Nedjam, a Muslim lawyer living in Houston, said his main concern is the impact of the hostile atmosphere on his children. As they interact with classmates at school, he worries they may face discrimination influenced by media coverage and the attitudes of other families.
Maryam Ahmed, a 42-year-old Muslim doctor, said social pressure against Muslims has led her to consider leaving the United States over the past two years. She fears her child could be labeled a terrorist simply because of their Muslim identity.
Some civil rights activists argue that politicians are exaggerating isolated cases and portraying Muslims’ ordinary participation in social, economic and civic life as a threat to American society.
Mosques and Muslim organizations mobilize voters
In response, Muslim organizations across Texas have expanded voter registration initiatives and encouraged greater electoral participation in an effort to strengthen the community’s social and political influence.
The Islamic Society of Greater Houston, which oversees more than 30 mosques, has expanded its voter registration programs this year. Religious leaders have also emphasized the importance of political participation in Friday sermons.
The organization says it is not endorsing any particular candidate and encourages Muslims to vote according to their own judgment and conscience.
Muslim activists acknowledge, however, that turning social discontent into broad political participation remains challenging. Texas’s Muslim community comprises people from diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, making it difficult to reach every group through a single communication strategy.
The adoption of a new Texas school curriculum on Islam has also become a focus of protest. Critics say the curriculum places disproportionate emphasis on the concept of “radical Islam” and presents an inaccurate image of the Prophet Muhammad.
CAIR activists have used social and cultural gatherings—including a festival at the Houston Islamic Center—to raise awareness about the importance of voting.
Samiha Rizvi, the organization’s director of legislative and government affairs, said remaining silent in the face of discrimination and withdrawing from public life would not change the situation.
Emphasizing the role of elections in creating a safer environment for Muslim families, she urged citizens to use their voting rights to influence state policies.
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