WASHINGTON \u2013 Muslim advocacy groups in the United States have warned\nof rising provocations and anti-Islamic rhetoric ahead of the midterm\nelections on 3 November 2026. They fear that campaigns of hatred against\nMuslims are being deliberately used to divert public attention from\neconomic problems and the failures of President Donald Trump\u2019s\nadministration.<\/p>\n
A new report by the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) raises\nconcerns about growing provocations by anti-Muslim right-wing groups in\nthe United States. Their actions often prompt calls for a greater\nlaw-enforcement presence. The study was conducted by the Center for\nSecurity, Technology, and Policy, an organisation that monitors\nIslamophobia across the country.<\/p>\n
MPAC said it had documented a range of incidents, including protests\noutside mosques, aggressive confrontations, surveillance, provocative\nonline content and narratives alleging an \u201cIslamic takeover\u201d of the\nUnited States. Several experts told Middle East Eye that the situation\nwas \u201cworse\u201d than in the period following the 11 September attacks\n(9\/11).<\/p>\n
The report argues that such actions can intimidate Muslim\ncommunities, particularly when they take place before elections or\nduring religious events and special celebrations.<\/p>\n
US President Donald Trump and his allies have increasingly used\nanti-Muslim rhetoric, targeting progressive Muslim figures such as\nDemocratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Abdul El-Sayed, a\nDemocratic Senate candidate in Michigan.<\/p>\n
MPAC describes a \u201cco-ordinated campaign\u201d in which a minority group is\nportrayed as a threat, followed by public confrontations staged by\nactivists or media figures. Videos and various allegations are then\ncirculated online to reinforce claims of criminal activity.<\/p>\n
According to the report, these narratives are subsequently used to\ndemand stricter immigration enforcement, increased policing and\nsurveillance, or federal government intervention.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Muslim communities continue to be targeted by these right-wing\nprovocateurs, this can contribute to a broader narrative of unrest \u2013 one\nthat could be used by the Trump administration to justify extraordinary\nfederal measures, such as declaring a national emergency,\u201d MPAC\nwarned.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is particularly concerning given that Trump has repeatedly\nquestioned the integrity of US elections and claimed that American\nelections are vulnerable to foreign manipulation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report urges Muslim Americans not to engage with provocateurs, to\nreport suspicious activity, to understand their rights as voters, and to\nvote in groups rather than alone.<\/p>\n
Most of the nine-page report consists of examples of right-wing\ngroups targeting Muslims for intimidation.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/islamophobia-intensifies-ahead-of-us-midterm-elections-1793325060", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }