As early voting continues throughout the state, Ohio Muslims plan to hold their own early voting effort.
The Muslim for Ohio Political Action Committee, or MOPAC, will rally this weekend with Muslim voters in Franklin and other large counties, and then will caravan to polling places. MOPAC founder Zerka Abid says the 2016 presidential campaign has raised many concerns among Ohio Muslims.
Abid says Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has often spoken unfavorably about the Muslim community and the Islam religion.
“We have Franklin County, we have Butler County, Cuyahoga County, or Hamilton, Montgomery," Abid says. "All these counties have heavy population of Muslims and we can definitely turn it to one way or the other. And we have done it before." Abid estimates about 500 Muslim voters in Franklin County will turn out for Saturday’s early vote. She says efforts will continue next weekend.
