Latest news with #MuslimVote
ABC News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
The federal election demonstrated that Muslim votes do matter: A response to Ali Kadri - ABC Religion & Ethics
You can hear Ghaith Krayem discuss 'How powerful is the Muslim vote this election?' with Sami Shah, Dr Rachel Woodlock and Khaled Khalafalla on God Forbid on ABC Radio National. The recent article by Ali Kadri raises a number of important questions about the way Australian Muslims can engage in politics. But as a co-founder and the national spokesperson of Muslim Votes Matter (MVM), I believe that Kadri's criticism of the organisation misses the essence of what it represents and why it managed to strike a deep chord within the community. MVM is not a political party, and it doesn't pretend to be. It is a grassroots political advocacy and lobbying movement, built to address a vacuum that has long existed within the community — the absence of an organised, strategic Muslim political voice. In little more than fifteen months, MVM has grown from an idea into a nationwide movement, mobilising more than 1,000 volunteers to staff polling booths on election day. Our mission has always been clear. MVM exists: to increase political awareness and literacy within the Muslim community; to increase political awareness and literacy within the Muslim community; to shift the public narrative around Muslim political mobilisation; and to shift the public narrative around Muslim political mobilisation; and to translate that mobilisation into real-world influence. We are proud of the progress made on these fronts. The fact that conversations about Muslim political agency are now happening both within the community and in mainstream media is itself a sign that we are moving the needle. Contrary to claims that MVM lacks a policy agenda or clear demands, we have published our priorities for this term of federal parliament and sought written commitments from all major parties — to which the Australian Greens have responded positively. Our advocacy is driven not by protest or emotion, but by concrete goals grounded in community needs. The critique that MVM prioritises anger over strategy, I believe, fundamentally misreads our work. Yes, there is anger — righteous anger at a killing of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza, and at what many Muslims consider to be the inaction or silence of political leaders. But that anger has been channelled into coordinated action. The federal election was a tactical moment within a larger, long-term strategy. It allowed us to demonstrate that not only can the Muslim community mobilise, it can also affect electoral outcomes in key seats — such as Calwell in Melbourne's outer-west, and Banks in south-west Sydney. They are tangible results of focused political organising, that point to a future in which Muslim Australians are no longer taken for granted politically. Some commentators have expressed concern that MVM's approach may alienate allies or reinforce identity politics. But political organising around shared identity and interests are, and have always been, a feature of Australian political life. Whether unions, environmental groups or faith-based movements, all communities have the right to advocate for their interests. Muslim Australians are no exception. Rather than fracture the Australian community, MVM has brought together people who have long been marginalised and thereby created space for a more inclusive political conversation. Needless to say, we are not naïve about the road ahead. Political advocacy inevitably invites backlash, and success will bring attempts at co-option or dilution. But we are prepared. MVM was never about just one election — it was about building a sustained presence, a movement that can engage, pressure and negotiate with power, while staying accountable to its base. For too long, Australian Muslim political engagement has focused on relationships — often relationships that have delivered little more than photo opportunities or empty statements. MVM wants to shift the focus to outcomes. Relationships will always matter, but they must serve the larger goal of delivering meaningful change for our community. As we move forward, MVM will continue to evolve, learn and deepen its influence. For now, however, we can be confident that the era of the politically invisible Muslim voter is over. MVM has helped awaken a new political consciousness among Muslims, and it would be risky for the political establishment to ignore it. We welcome critical engagement with our work, but we ask that it be grounded in facts. Ali Kadri claims, for example, that Muslim Votes Matter: urged people to preference Labor last on how-to-vote cards. In some electorates, Labor was placed behind parties that have long opposed multiculturalism and even Muslim communities themselves. This is not true. MVM preferenced the ALP ahead of the Coalition in 146 out of 150 seats, and in no seat across the whole country did we place the ALP last on the ballot. The real story of MVM is not one of protest versus policy, but of a movement finding its footing, testing its power and opening a new chapter in Australian political life — one where Muslim voices are truly heard and hard to ignore. Ghaith Krayem is the national spokesperson of Muslim Votes Matter.
ABC News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Muslim voters say election delivered strong message despite Labor landslide
Muslim Australian Hawraa put Labor last on her ballot paper for the first time at this year's federal election. Hawraa, who only wants to be identified by her first name, said she wanted to send Labor a message: "Do not take us for granted." A voter in the Victorian electorate of Wills, Hawraa was "disappointed" at news Despite the result, Hawraa said the close race and first preference vote swing towards Ms Ratnam gave her hope, and showed the Muslim community was energised . "We've learned a lot from this time, and it is only the start of the mobilisation of the community and of the Muslim community," Hawraa said. " More and more people are wanting a more dynamic crossbench … a progressive crossbench that will push Labor to do better and do more. " Samantha Ratnam spent the final days before the election speaking with voters at early-polling stations. ( ABC News: Nicholas White ) Many Australian Muslims have told the ABC they feel "betrayed" by the government's Wills was Labor heartland, but now the seat that belonged to Bob Hawke is squarely in the marginal column. Advocacy group Muslim Votes Matter targeted federal seats across Australia during the campaign and despite Labor's landslide win, a closer inspection of the results told a more nuanced story, said the group's spokesperson Ghaith Krayem. "When we look at those electorates, those seats where we targeted our effort, a different picture emerges," said Mr Krayem. He pointed to the Wills and Calwell electorates in Victoria that recorded swings in primary votes away from Labor candidates. "There's no doubt in our mind what was different [in those two seats] was the mobilisation of our community." NSW results 'mind-blowing' A Muslim Vote convener campaigns for Ahmed Ouf, who stood as an independent in the seat of Blaxland. ( ABC News: Marcus Stimson ) In the two electorates with the largest Muslim population nationally, Watson and Blaxland in New South Wales, Muslim Votes Matter and a second, unaffiliated lobby group, The Muslim Vote, endorsed two independent candidates. In Watson, the groups backed Muslim candidate Ziad Bassyouny to run against Labor's Tony Burke. In Blaxland, Ahmed Ouf ran against another Labor incumbent, Jason Clare. While neither independent won, and Labor retained both seats, the pair did secure a lot of first preference votes, said Mr Krayem. Photo shows Sheikh Wesam Charkawi Muslim Vote convener The Muslim Vote campaign has taken aim at the Labor Party's "failure to stand for justice on Gaza and Palestine" as it looks to unseat Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton. "For Ahmed to get 19 per cent primary, and for Ziad to get almost 17 per cent on primary, that is a significant achievement," he said. "They've set themselves up really well for the next election." Zakariaa Wahid, Islamic Council of Victoria chief executive, said the primary vote results were "mind-blowing". "They [the candidates] did not exist until this election; we're not talking about independents [who] have been around for years and years," said Mr Wahid. Zakaria Wahid from the Islamic Council of Victoria said there was growing political awareness in the Muslim community. ( Supplied ) Those results showed the Muslim community mobilised for this federal election like never before, he added. "We've seen political literacy and political awareness in the Muslim community in a way that has never happened, not even close to it. "There's a growing push and a growing number of people that are becoming part of this voting bloc". Gaza at the heart of voters The AEC continues to count votes in some tightly contested seats. ( ABC News: Mackenzie Heard ) Among them is Shiraz, a second-generation migrant , who lives in the Victorian seat of Scullin and has traditionally voted Labor. For the first time at a federal election, Shiraz voted differently. Shiraz, who also only wants to be known by his first name, said he preferenced Greens first, followed by independent candidates. "We want the government to hear our voices and concerns, not take our votes and support for granted," he said. " It sends a strong message that we do have a voice that can't be ignored. " He added he also wanted to break down the long-standing dominance of two major parties. Shiraz believed the major parties had not done enough to support Palestinian people and were too complacent in relation to Gaza. Hawraa, who is from southern Lebanon, said her community also felt "completely neglected and ignored". She said the community was disappointed that Australia continued to have an arms trade deal with Israel, Photo shows A young man gestures while speaking and sitting on the couch Dissatisfaction with the Albanese government's stance on Israel-Palestine among many Arab and Muslim voters threatens to unseat Labor MPs, in some places for the first time. However, many Muslim community members who spoke to the ABC said the "swing against Labor" had been taking place over a long time. They said they felt the federal government had responded more strongly to a spate of antisemitic attacks last year compared with the increased number of Islamophobia attacks. The community members had also been calling for "[But] Gaza was the largest example of how Labor has consistently become disconnected with this Muslim voter base, and especially how people feel taken advantage of," he said. "Labor's lack of effort and lack of effective response to a genocide that's going on coupled with various other elements such as the rising Islamophobia … that will definitely be a factor in the minds of Muslims." Rita Jabri Markwell, from the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network, said even though the impact of the Muslim vote was not "as strong as it could have been", Labor candidates were still left fighting to retain their seats. "It really is a warning to those members of parliament that if they continue to ignore those voters they may be paying an even greater price at the next election," the lawyer said.
ABC News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
The Muslim Vote urges Parramatta constituents to preference Liberals over Labor due to 'justice on Gaza'
The Muslim Vote campaign is urging voters in the marginal seat of Parramatta to preference the Liberals over Labor as it takes aim at the ALP's "failure to stand for justice on Gaza and Palestine". The teal-style movement is not a political party, but instead endorses independent candidates that align with its message of uniting Muslim voters to elect candidates who are more supportive of Palestinian rights. Anger in the Muslim and Arab communities over the destruction of Gaza has boiled over as bloody scenes from the besieged strip have flooded the news over the last 18 months. The Muslim Vote is a movement which is endorsing independent candidates that are more supportive of Palestinian rights. ( ABC News: Marcus Stimson ) Stay updated: Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on The Muslim Vote convener Sheikh Wesam Charkawi told the ABC most of that anger is directed at the federal government. "The frustration, I've never seen on this level. The anger, I've never seen on this level," Sheikh Charkawi said. While the campaign is not endorsing a candidate in Parramatta, it's hoping to unseat first term federal Labor member Andrew Charlton. Sheikh Charkawi said the strategic decision is intended to send a strong message to the Labor Party. "Labor will be preferenced after Liberal and that ensures that they are held to account for the stances they've taken on the issues that we brought to them and they've simply failed to act," he said. Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton holds the seat by a slim margin. ( Facebook: Andrew Charlton MP ) The Labor Party has traditionally counted on Australian Muslims to vote Labor, but "the community feel betrayed", said Sheikh Charkawi. "We will not be held as political hostages, we're not going to uphold that system," he said. "Given that you presided over a genocide and paid nothing but weak lip service then you deserve to be preferenced beneath the Liberal Party." The International Court of Justice earlier last year ruled Israel must do everything in its power to prevent its troops from committing genocide in Gaza. Israel rejected the genocide allegations levelled against it, brought to the court by South Africa. The Gaza Health Ministry said that since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians. The Israeli government said 1,200 Israelis were killed in an attack by Hamas. 'Abandoned his constituency' According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 census, 10.5 per cent or just over 21,000 Muslims live in the Parramatta Commonwealth Electoral Division. There is no way of knowing how many of them are voters. The Muslim Vote has endorsed independent candidates Dr Ziad Bassyouny to run against Minister Tony Burke in Watson, and pharmacist Ahmed Ouf in Minister Jason Clare's seat of Blaxland — the two seats with the largest Muslim population nationally. Both ministers hold their seats with comfortable margins of 15.1 per cent in Watson and 14.9 per cent in Blaxland. It's a different story in Parramatta however, as Mr Charlton holds the seat by a slim 3.7 per cent margin. He is up against Liberal candidate Katie Mullens. The ABC reached out to Mr Charlton and Ms Mullen, who both declined to comment. Just over 21,000 Muslims live in the Parramatta Commonwealth Electoral Division, according to the latest census data. ( ABC News: Mackenzie Heard ) Sheikh Wesam said the message to Mr Charlton was clear. "There needs to be consequences for your actions. Andrew Charlton, has been very, very quiet and very silent on standing for justice on Palestine and Gaza." The Muslim Vote will urge all its supporters in Parramatta to preference Greens candidate Liz Tilly first. The Muslim Vote is urging its supporters in Parramatta to give their first preference to Liz Tilly from The Greens. ( Supplied: The Muslim Vote ) Ms Mullens comes in at number five followed by Mr Charlton — just before Trumpet of Patriots and Pauline Hanson's One Nation. The Muslim Vote and other members of the community say they have reached out to Mr Charlton to voice their anger and frustration. But Sheikh Wesam said their calls had fallen on deaf ears. "Andrew Charlton has abandoned his constituency on the Gaza issue. There's a mood of betrayal on the ground. "We're hearing in fact from a lot of people that are saying, come next election 3rd of May, we'll definitely going to be casting our votes against the Labor Party." Loading Having trouble seeing this form? Try
The Guardian
17-02-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Prominent Muslim groups claim reaction to Sydney nurses video is ‘selective outrage'
A coalition of prominent Muslim groups and leaders, including Muslim Votes and Muslim Votes Matter, have criticised what they claim is 'selective outrage' in reactions to a video of two Bankstown hospital nurses claiming they would kill Israeli patients. The edited video, which was posted by Israeli influencer Max Veifer, sparked widespread condemnation, including by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, who called the footage 'sickening and shameful'. The video features nurse Ahmad Rashad Nadir saying he had sent Israeli patients to 'Jahannam' or hell. The woman in the video, nurse Sarah Abu Lebdeh, when asked by Veifer what she would do if an Israeli patient attended the hospital, said: 'I won't treat them, I will kill them.' The two nurses have since been stood down and police are investigating. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The coalition of Muslim groups said in a statement on Sunday the 'speed, intensity and uniformity of responses from certain political leaders and media outlets' was 'revealing'. They said the same voices that condemned the nurses had 'provided active diplomatic and journalistic cover for ongoing crimes by the Zionists'. The coalition said: 'This statement is not about defending inappropriate remarks. It is about pushing back against the double standards and moral manipulation at play while the mass killing of our brothers and sisters in Gaza is met with silence, dismissal, or complicity.' The Muslim Vote – established in response to community anger at Labor's handling of the war in Gaza – plans to back candidates in Watson, Blaxland and Werriwa in this year's federal election. Signatories included mainstream bodies such as the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Islamic councils of Victoria and Western Australia, as well as more controversial groups such as Hizb Ut-Tahrir Australia and the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown and its founder, Wissam Haddad. Separately, other Muslim organisations and medical professionals have condemned the nurses' remarks without reservation. In October, the nation's peak Jewish group, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), filed a case in the federal court against Haddad and the Al Madina Dawah Centre over alleged antisemitic speeches. The ECAJ alleges the speeches made 'derogatory generalisations about the Jewish people', including calling them 'vile' and 'treacherous'. Haddad claims in his response to the federal court filing that the speeches did not contravene the Racial Discrimination Act and they were made for purpose of 'delivering religious, historical and educational lectures or sermons, to congregants of the AMDC and other practising Muslims.' The coalition of Muslim groups also attacked what they described as the 'weaponisation' of antisemitism, saying criticism of and 'frustrations' with Israel should not be conflated with hatred towards the Jewish community. They said that the 'frustration and anger directed at Israel is a direct response to its violent and inhumane policies – not an expression of hatred towards Jewish people'. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'Attempts to weaponise accusations of antisemitism to silence dissent are not only intellectually dishonest but also dangerous.' The group said the statements made by the nurses in the video, which included alluding to killing Israelis that presented to the hospital, were 'clearly emotional and hyperbolic'. NSW Police say investigations into the video and the two nurses are ongoing. The former Labor senator Fatima Payman earlier claimed in an Instagram post there were 'double standards' in the reactions to the video. She said what nurses' remarks were 'wrong'. 'No one should be ever be denied medical care based on their race, religion or nationality. There is never an excuse for that.' However, Payman claimed there was not 'the same level of anger and vitriol when the roles are reversed'. 'When Muslims face discrimination, when Islamophobic or anti-Palestine attacks happen where is the prime minister? Where is the full scale media outrage? 'This is the double standards that must end. If we're to condemn one, we must condemn the other, otherwise we're not standing for justice, we're just picking sides.' Payman left Labor last year over its response to the war in Gaza.
