One-time safe Democratic stronghold of Dearborn, Michigan-rich in Arab and Muslim culture, is soon to take an unprecedented political step. Traditionally the stronghold of the Democratic party, the community is ready to walk out from the party because it is furious that the Biden administration has been supporting the continued actions of Israel in Gaza. 

This anger comes during weeks when the presidential election is in the offing, while local feelings represent a historic disillusion with Democrats. Speaking to locals, one gets the impression of a community that feels unheard and alienated; more Muslims are now openly questioning to whom their vote should be given: Kamala Harris or the Democratic ticket, at all.

The angry discontent was palpable as I walked through Dearborn with my cameraman?

Community leaders, students, and business owners all share similar frustrations: the support for Israel amid the mounting civilian casualties in Gaza feels like a betrayal of years of loyalty from Muslim voters who once saw the Democrats as defenders of civil rights and religious freedom. The Arab-American community in Dearborn is usually aligned with the Democrats after years of feeling neglected by Republicans; now, things are approaching breaking point.

Among the loudest critics is Osama Siblani, editor-in-chief of *The Arab American News*, who has no qualms about expressing his frustration. “The Democrats have lost us,” he declared. “We’ve been loyal for years, but how can we support an administration that funds the killing of our families in Gaza and Lebanon?

As the editorial read, many echoed the thoughts of Siblani, among cafe owners and University students, questioning what their Democratic allegiance is worth.

It will be interesting to see where this trend takes the Republicans. Still, Muslims have, for years, trended Democratic, especially since the rhetoric of the post-9/11 Republican “War on Terror” that proved hurtful to their community. The alliance deepened with the Obama administration, where they recognised their concerns, for example, on questions of civil rights and the immigration issue.

 But as Biden supports Israel’s last military actions, a very bitter sense of déjà vu has befallen these Muslim voters as if, yet again, Washington ignores them. Economic grievances are echoing outside of Gaza, though. Inflation and the rising cost of living have pummeled families and businesses, leaving many to believe the Biden administration hasn’t gone far enough to support working-class communities. “What do we have to show for supporting the Democrats?” asked Mike Ayoub, a local real estate broker.

“They’re sending billions to Israel while my business is struggling.”.

Prices skyrocket, wages stagnate, and we’re supposed to continue propping them up?”

The political earthquake situation has been further added by Trump’s recent outreach to Muslim voters in Michigan and the endorsement he received from Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, a key figure among Michigan’s Muslim leadership. Many local Democrats are concerned that such endorsements would encourage even more defections from the Muslim vote in critical swing areas. Some leaders within the Muslim community are portraying this shift as a “punitive vote.” Imam Muhammad Mardini of the American Muslim Center explained, “This isn’t about embracing the GOP. It’s about sending a message to Democrats.” 

Some, however, believe disengagement will be an even stronger statement. A local media worker, Abbas Shehab, said he plans not to vote, stating, “Neither Harris nor Trump deserves my vote. Not worth it.”. In such an event, the potential turn of Dearborn or any shift in turnout will make all the difference to the Democrats. Since the vote of Muslim citizens makes the swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia almost crucial for them, even a slight fall in Muslim turnout may push those states further into the camp of Donald Trump. This shift could be a warning for the Democratic Party on election day, as it can endanger the future of Muslims of Dearborn and maybe of America.