More than a dozen local Muslim organizations, including Muslim American Society and Noor Islamic Cultural Center, gathered Monday at International Mall next to the Franklin County Board of Elections for the first Columbus Muslim Voter Day.
Victoria Hickcox, lead organizer with the Young United Souls for Revolutionary Action (YUSRA), said the event, which will repeat on Oct. 24, aims to make election information more accessible to the Muslim community.
Jawhara Qutiefan, co-president of the Columbus chapter of American Muslims for Palestine, another partnering organization of the event, said her main policy concern is "the killing of Muslims across the globe," especially in Gaza.
"We have a lot of anti-genocide candidates on the ballot, and I think that that's encouraging for Muslims to come out and vote, as well as candidates who have taken steps to engage with the Muslim community and see us as a valuable electorate," Hickcox said.
Qutiefan also said Muslims are also concerned about immigration, free speech and weapons manufacturing.
"I'm an immigrant...it is terrible to see what we're going through now because I came here for the land of opportunity," Cam Habayeb, an attendee, said. "I want a candidate who's not going to be a rubber stamp to the president."
Several attendees said they are concerned about affordability.
"If a candidate stands for taxes for low-income people, I'm not going to vote for him," Abdu Said, an attendee, said.
Hyatt Mohamud, who was on her way to submit her ballot, said this election is important for the representation of Muslims.
"Muslim Americans are American. This country is as much ours as anyone else," Alauddin Alauddin said as he was walking out of the Franklin County Board of Elections. "I just want Muslims to come out and vote...and restore this great country back to its path of greatness."
Hickcox and Qutiefan both said the Muslim community faces several barriers that discourage them from voting, such as law enforcement presence at polling locations, transportation, ID requirements and registration deadlines.
"We want our community to feel informed and empowered and reduce any kind of issues that they have accessing the ballot box," Hickcox said.
Hickcox also said President Trump's statements about Muslims and Somalis have caused people to be afraid to come out and vote.
"Muslim people, they have to be safe...everywhere they go... especially in the USA," Hilael Ismail, said on her way to vote.
Qutiefan said many Muslims feel like their policy concerns are ignored.
"Muslims don't feel like they're a part of this country because of the Islamophobia campaign that has been spreading," Qutiefan said. "But, I say to that is show them that your voice does matter by showing up to vote and changing the people who are pushing this hate rhetoric out of office."
