(Hartford, 11/04/2020) — There was overwhelming participation in yesterday’s election by American Muslims living in Connecticut. Muslim voters went to the polls enthusiastically across the state to vote for the candidate of their choice.

Samia Hussein voted in Windsor Locks. “Today I voted with my full hijab covering because I want people to know that I can be Muslim AND American! I don’t need to pick one or the other. I can love my faith and want the best for my country. We must not forget the beauty of diversity in the US. That is the most American thing I grew up to understand about this country”.

Mohammed Elnaw voted in West Haven. “I always vote early in the morning but this year I found the line is very long so I had to go to work and I came back during my lunch hour,” he said. “I’m really happy that I was able to practice my rights and vote we hope and pray for change.”

In Norwalk Khalid Belhabib went to vote with his two sons who had the day off from school. “My boys and I woke up early. They were so excited to learn how a person can voice his/her opinion by exercising their right to vote.”

Muslim voters who spoke to CAIR-CT said that they were motivated to vote in response to the policies of the Administration of President Donald J. Trump particularly his institution of the “Muslim Ban” and Government’s lackluster response to the COVID 19 epidemic. Many healthcare professionals in Connecticut are Muslim and have been working on the frontlines in treating the pandemic.

“During election night many Muslims in Connecticut that I spoke to went through a cycle of PTSD as they entered the evening as supporters of former Vice-President Biden and then saw the President leading in certain states,” said Farhan Memon, Chairman of CAIR-CT. “Whether the President pulls it out or not Muslim voters did not think that half the country would again drink the Kool-Aid and are worried about its long terms implications and their safety.”

At the national level, CAIR’s headquarters released the results of its “2020 Muslim Voters Presidential Election Exit Poll.” The poll of 844 registered Muslim households indicated that 84 percent of Muslims reported that they had voted in the election – 69 percent voting for the former Vice President Joe Biden and 17 percent for President Donald Trump.

See Press Release: CAIR Exit Poll Shows American Muslims Vote in Record Numbers, 69% Voted for Biden.

“The results of last night’s election show that we remain a country that is divided,” said Farhan Memon. “Regardless of who becomes President. CAIR Connecticut and other civil rights groups have to work together to heal the animosities that are causing doubts and mistrust between us.”

CAIR-CT is the state chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

Contact: Farhan Memon, Chairman CAIR Connecticut (CAIR-CT) fmemon@cair.com or 203-517-6526 (mobile)