In the dynamic landscape of American politics, the relationship between elected officials and their constituencies can mean success or failure for a political campaign. Leading up to November's presidential election, concern about the Muslim American vote is growing among Democrats. This year's iftar dinner hosted by the White House had no Muslim American attendees except those working for the administration. As Muslim American support for Biden wanes in the wake of the Israeli military's assault on Gaza, leaders in the party must reckon with the potential impacts on this year's crucial election.

Looking Back: Muslim Americans and President Joe Biden

The past relationship between Muslim Americans and Joe Biden was generally positive and hopeful. During the 2020 presidential campaign, Biden actively courted Muslim American voters. He pledged to repeal the Trump administration's travel bans affecting Muslim countries on his first day in office and then fulfilled that promise. He also made it a point to publicly acknowledge the community, its contributions to society as well as its concerns and struggles.

All of this led to a massive outpouring of support for Biden that continued throughout his presidential tenure. Biden's previous iftar dinners, an event that celebrates the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, had large crowds, with prominent Muslim American community leaders in attendance.

A Growing Rift: Muslim Americans React to Biden's Support of Israel

What has changed for Muslim Americans when it comes to President Biden is his complicit behavior in the horrific assault on the Gaza Strip in which Israel has killed more than 30,000 people. Almost half of the dead are children.

Biden has explicitly stated that he and his administration support Israel unconditionally, and he has refused to withdraw financial and military aid provided to the Israeli government. As the violence and human rights abuses have escalated in Gaza, Biden's stern words aimed at the Israeli government have achieved next to nothing.

Muslim Americans are reacting strongly to the Biden administration's stance on what is happening in Gaza. Many leaders declined invitations to this year's iftar dinner and have spoken out against Biden. This growing rift comes at a critical juncture in the country's election cycle as Biden works every angle to beat Donald Trump to the White House.

Community Activism: Muslim Americans Demand a Ceasefire in Gaza

The Muslim American community is actively political and has a history of getting involved at the national level. With this year's presidential election looming on the horizon, Muslim Americans are making it known that they will not support Biden in the primaries unless he enforces a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. This stance is not just about policy but also a community's moral and ethical concerns over the humanitarian crisis and ongoing genocide unfolding in Palestine. 

Building Solidarity: The Uncommited Vote Movement and the Muslim American Community

Muslim Americans are not the only group shocked and horrified by the Biden administration's apathy toward civilian deaths in Gaza. A broad solidarity movement has sprung up that aims to express discontent with the sitting president. The "Uncommitted Vote Movement" is a grassroots initiative that encourages Democratic voters to register their votes as "uncommitted" instead of automatically giving their votes to the Democratic Party.

 By voting "uncommitted," these activists and community members signal to the Democratic Party that their support cannot be taken for granted and must be earned through policies and actions that better reflect their values and concerns, especially regarding foreign policy and human rights issues. The Democratic Party should take the uncommitted vote seriously because it could signal that Biden will struggle in battleground states such as Michigan.

The Muslim American community's frustration with Biden will test his administration and the strength of his ongoing campaign. Activists are still hopeful that the Democrats will work to address Muslim Americans' concerns and restore trust between the community and the administration.