In the Name of God: The Extremely and Eternally Loving and Caring

THE RIGHT (and privilege, frankly) to vote has not always universal like it is today. When our country was first founded, slaves were not even considered full human beings. Women were only given the right to vote in this country in 1920, less than one hundred years ago. And when African-Americans were finally freed, they were subjected to terrorism when they asserted their equal rights before the law.

Countless men and women before me have shed their blood and died to give me the right to vote. Too many people sacrificed way too much on my behalf for me to let that sacrifice be in vain.

That is why I cannot countenance, even for a second, sitting out this – or any other – election.

The same should be with the rest of us, most especially my sisters and brothers in the American Muslim community. A full 1/3 of the American Muslim community is African-American, and so they know all too well the sacrifices made for the good of the country. But many in the American Muslim community are immigrants or the sons and daughters of immigrants, hailing from countries where the rulers in power win “elections” by 99.999% of the vote.

That is why, in my mind, no American Muslim should EVER sit out an election. Too much is at stake for American Muslims to not make their voices heard. As it has been said by many, “If you not at the table, then you are on the menu.”

We cannot afford to be on the menu; especially not this year.

For far too long, American Muslims – among many other groups in America – have been used as subjects of fear and hatred for cynical political gain. For far too long, innocent American Muslims – among many other groups in America – have been the subject of hate crimes and physical attacks as a result of that fearmongering. For far too long, American Muslims – among many other groups in America – have suffered senselessly.

That is why American Muslims cannot countenance, even for a second, siting out this – or any other – election.

Writer Bob Cesca tweeted this recently:

Trump’s campaign is a war on women, minorities, decency, good taste, intelligence, rationality, honesty & peace. He MUST lose — decisively.

— Bob Cesca (@bobcesca_go) October 14, 2016

And so I replied this way:

Then…the Gauntlet has been thrown. We ALL must vote. https://t.co/b06Sh9OBVq

— Hesham A. Hassaballa (@GodFaithPen) October 14, 2016

Too much is at stake for us to stay home on November 8. We ALL must get out and vote and make our voices heard. And that ESPECIALLY MEANS YOU, American Muslims. That especially means you.

Join me on Twitter @GodFaithPen.