02-07-2025
Political Strategist Mohamed Gula on Emgage's Endorsement of Rep. Gerry Connolly: 'After He Started to Talk in a Way We Wanted Him to Talk,' We Endorsed Him; He Asked Us to Frame His Response to Octob
Muslim-American political strategist Mohamed Gula, National Organizing Director of Emgage and co-founder of the Virginia Muslim Chamber of Commerce, was interviewed in the June 18, 2025 episode of the Ansari Podcast, hosted by Mahmoud Ansari. In the interview, Gula discussed how his organization developed a relationship with the late Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-D) and influenced his political positions. 'He started to talk in a way we wanted him to talk – 2022 came and we endorsed him,' Gula said.
Gula also revealed that Connolly approached Emgage for assistance in framing his public statements following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led massacres in southern Israel. According to Gula, Emgage's condition for endorsing Connolly was that he reject any endorsement or funding from AIPAC and have no affiliation with the Democratic Majority for Israel advocacy group.
Emgage is a U.S.-based Muslim civic engagement organization focused on voter mobilization, political advocacy, and leadership development.
