Arabs and the US Elections

The United States is a country with an immigration history of approximately three hundred years. Consequently, many people have migrated to America for various reasons, some political, some economic, and some humanitarian. These immigrants come from diverse countries and cultures, creating a panorama of cultural diversity.

Among those who migrated to America were Arabs, who began emigrating long ago, particularly during the Ottoman era. They settled in both South and North America. The earliest of these immigrants were from the Levant; Syrians may have been the first, but Lebanese immigrants were the most numerous and influential. They played key roles in business management and in establishing religious and cultural centers. Moreover, they were the most integrated into the societies they joined. I previously met a Honduran of Palestinian origin in Cairo, who told me that the Honduran people refer to us as “Turks” because our migration to their country began during the Ottoman period.

Thus, you would not be surprised to learn that some Lebanese families were aboard the ocean liner that sank in the Atlantic Ocean, the Titanic. History also attests to the significant impact left by Lebanese creatives in North America through the “Muhajirun” (Emigrant) poets, starting in 1870. These included Gibran Khalil Gibran, Mikhail Naimy, Elias Abu Madi, Nasib Arida, Abd al-Masih Haddad, and Rashid Ayyoub. In South America, where they were known as the “Andalusian League,” established in 1933 in São Paulo, Brazil, the most prominent figures included Michel Maalouf, Fawzi Maalouf, Shafiq Maalouf, Elias Farhat, and Rashid Salim al-Khuri, known as the “Village Poet.”

Politically, some heads of state in South America trace their origins to Arab countries, including Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. There are also Arab Americans who are politicians, artists, and athletes.

In North America, specifically in the United States, certain individuals managed to earn the trust of American voters. This was not due to chance alone, but rather to efforts made through good reputations, community service, and strong support from family, friends, neighbors, and some national and political organizations. Furthermore, media outlets—radio, television, newspapers, and magazines—played a crucial role in introducing these candidates to the public by highlighting their profiles. If we examine American political history and the role of some Arabs, it becomes clear that their involvement extended beyond voting to running for office. Despite the difficulties, some individuals achieved success and reached the Parliament and Congress. However, the process has become more flexible, with easier access to American voters through modern communication channels, rather than relying solely on television channels that previously held agendas against immigrants in general, and Arabs and Muslims in particular.

The first American of Arab origin to gain prominence in the U.S. political arena was George Albert Qasem, who was the first Arab to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Of Lebanese descent, he won a seat representing California in 1958, serving a single term. He passed away in 2002.

Approximately a decade and a half later, in 1973, lawyer James Abourezk was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first American of Lebanese-Arab origin to serve in the Senate.

Three years later, in 1976, Mary Rose Oakar became the first American woman of Arab descent to enter Congress. Her tenure was successful and lengthy, lasting sixteen consecutive years until 1993. Her success stemmed from focusing her work on issues important to ordinary citizens, such as women’s rights, equality, healthcare, and housing. She served as a Democratic representative for Ohio in the House of Representatives and later in Congress, passing away in 2025.

Decades later, several other names emerged, such as Donna Shalala, of Lebanese descent, who won a seat in the House of Representatives in 2018. Rashida Tlaib, of Palestinian descent, also reached Congress, becoming the first American woman of Palestinian origin to do so. Alongside Ilhan Omar, they became the first two Muslim women elected to the House of Representatives.

Currently, we have Abdulrahman Al-Sayed, an Egyptian doctor who is open to everyone, not just the Arab vote. He faced intense attacks from the American media in general and from President Trump in particular, yet he found support from the Democratic Party and former President Obama. He achieved overwhelming success thanks to his presence, which allowed him to respond to Trump effectively. The Arab voice now carries significant weight, and there is greater understanding of the situation in Middle Eastern countries. However, they still stand by the principle of protecting Israel. We all know that Arabs previously voted for Trump out of anger toward Biden, but the genocide in Gaza and the increased activism of some Islamic institutions in elections have played major roles.

We also see the election of Dr. Adam Hamwi, an Egyptian-origin physician who made considerable efforts, volunteering to treat the injured in Gaza. He faced many difficulties while there.

Political change in the American landscape is normal, but it has occurred rapidly, perhaps marking just the beginning. I expect that the scale and nature of changes will be numerous and swift, despite lobbies that generally hinder the success of immigrants and specifically limit the rise of Arabs or Muslims, due to media campaigns imposed on American society, such as Islamophobia. Consequently, changes will be a natural consequence of what has happened in Gaza and the war against Iran.

Some foreign newspapers have commented on this shift. The Financial Times wrote that this marks the beginning of the end for Trump, and Tuesday night taught Elon Musk and IBEX a lesson: love and elections cannot be bought with money. Some American Jews expressed their rejection of the massacres occurring in Gaza.

Some wonder whether Congress can stop the war. The answer is that the US Senate will begin its work in January of next year. Consequently, Trump may launch a devastating war against Iran, especially if Netanyahu remains in the Israeli government. Additionally, the US Constitution grants President Trump certain powers to use the veto against congressional decisions, indicating that the battle between them will be fierce.