It is common for politicians to proclaim in every voting cycle that “this is the most important election of our lifetime.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This time, the old cliche is actually true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This election is not about a Senate seat or the political party of the next governor. It’s about our communities’ rights to be part of the social, cultural and political fabric of this country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arab and Muslim communities are facing unprecedented attacks from the highest level of the American government. And the best way to respond to this vitriol and hate is through the ballot box. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We cannot allow ourselves to be a punching bag for politicians. We must show them that we can and will respond to their attacks with our votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Sunday, President Donald Trump came to Michigan and opened the floodgates of bigotry against the Muslim community, suggesting the Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed should go through a metal detector to enter the Capitol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump had also called Yemen and Libya “sh**house” countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Days later, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr unleashed an unhinged racist tirade, claiming that Arabs “don\u2019t produce science” or literature and “don’t win Nobel Prizes”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kennedy went on to argue that Arab civilization had been destroyed by the Muslim Brotherhood – a notion disconnected from history and reality. The Muslim Brotherhood has barely ever had any real power in the region and only controlled the presidency in Egypt for one year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These attacks should motivate Arab and Muslim voters – especially Yemeni Americans – to exercise the most important power that they have, which is to choose our own leaders as Americans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It doesn’t matter who you vote for, but you must not give up your right to vote. At a time when our communities’ American identity is being questioned, it’s a patriotic duty to affirm it at the polls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don’t just vote by yourself. Call your friends, your cousins, your parents. Tell them how crucial this moment is and what’s at stake in this moment in history – which is the question of who belongs to this country and who doesn’t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the Trump rally, the president brought one of his supporters to the stage to say that El-Sayed, who was born and raised in Michigan, is not an American.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, our Americanism is not determined by Trump and his allies. It is determined by the Constitution of the United States, which has granted us rights that cannot be taken away even by the White House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The same country that has given us these rights – along with safety, freedom of expression, equality under the law and the chance of economic prosperity – now needs us to protect the Constitution by asserting our Americanism through voting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We cannot allow apathy and laziness to get in the way of our future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the local level we have many qualified candidates, including Yemeni American Dearborn School Board Trustee Adel Mozip, who was endorsed by El-Sayed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mozip has been serving on the board since 2019. He was elected to a full term in November 2020. He is a father of two students in Dearborn Public Schools and has long been an education advocate in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We all must have a say in this election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Young people need to show up and bring others with them. Use your WhatsApp groups, go on social media, knock on doors, pick up the phone and call your neighbors – tell them to vote. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A common misconception in the community is that one may not be registered to vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the overwhelming majority of people are already registered, and Michigan has same-day registration. So, you can register with your city clerk and vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you voted at any time before, you are already registered. If you are a naturalized citizen, you were likely registered automatically when you received your citizenship. Do not make excuses. Go vote. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early voting is already underway. You can go at any time at an early voting center between now and November 1 or at your precinct on election day, November 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are the addresses for early voting center in the area: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dearborn –<\/strong> Ford Community & Performing Arts Center <\/p>\n\n\n\n 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, 48126<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hamtramck –<\/strong> Hamtramck City Hall, 2nd Floor <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3401 Evaline St, Hamtramck 48212<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dearborn Heights – <\/strong> Canfield Community Center <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1801 N. Beech Daly Road, Dearborn Heights, 48127<\/p>\n