Donald Trump

Government & Politics

U.S. repatriates last of Islamic State suspects believed captured in Syria The suspects had been held by Syrian forces along with prisoners from other countries whose governments have been reluctant to take back the men.

September 30, 2020   

(NY Times) The United States has repatriated and charged the last Americans believed to be detained in Syria and accused of supporting the Islamic State, the Justice Department said on Wednesday. The move could give the Trump administration a stronger hand in […]

Government & Politics

‘Inshallah’: Biden uses Arabic expression over release of Trump’s tax returns No foreign policy discussions during the first US presidential debate, in which candidates traded insults and spoke over each other

September 30, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) Many Middle East-related policy questions that could affect the lives of millions of people hang on the outcome of the US presidential elections in November: a possible return to the Iran nuclear deal; Washington’s relations with Riyadh; and the White House […]

Children & Teens

US congresswoman Betty McCollum receives award for Palestinian children advocacy McCollum thanked American Muslims for Palestine for the 'Champion of Palestinian Rights Award' and accepted it on behalf of 'those who stand up to support human rights for children'

September 16, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) A Palestinian American rights and advocacy group awarded US Congresswoman Betty McCollum on Tuesday with an award for her work advocating for Palestinian human rights. Speaking at the Virtual Palestine Advocacy Day hosted by American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), […]

Demonstrations

‘Palestinian self-determination not for sale’: Protesters in US rally against normalisation Hundreds gather outside the White House to condemn normalisation deals between Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates

September 15, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) As US President Donald Trump brought together leaders from Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to sign deals to establish diplomatic relations, just outside of the White House, hundreds of Palestinians, civil rights and advocacy groups gathered in […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

MSNBC’s Joy Reid accused of Islamophobia for comparing the ‘way Muslims act’ to radicalized Trump supporters 'That’s how we talk about the way Muslims act,' she said. 'When you see what Donald Trump is doing, is that any different from what we describe as radicalizing people?'

September 1, 2020   

(Daily Beast) MSNBC host Joy Reid on Tuesday faced accusations of Islamophobia over remarks she made during her Monday evening broadcast comparing radicalized Trump supporters to “the way Muslims act.” Reid, who recently took over the 7 p.m. weeknight slot vacated by […]

Crime

Joe Biden’s plan for Arab Americans: Six takeaways The Biden campaign released a platform addressing domestic and foreign policy issues that affect Arab Americans; here's what's in it

August 30, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has released a comprehensive platform outlining his plans for the Arab-American community, emphasising commitment to civil rights and prosperity at home as well as a more balanced foreign policy in the Middle East. […]

Government & Politics

Muslim-American groups mobilise to get voters registered for election day Organisations are aiming to register Muslim voters ahead of November's presidential election

August 28, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) Muslim-American activists are rallying across the country on Friday in an attempt to ensure every eligible voter from the faith group is registered for November’s presidential election. MPower Change, which bills itself as the biggest Muslim digital advocacy organisation in the […]

Government & Politics

Muslim Americans care more about civil rights than foreign policy, survey claims Health care and education reforms are also more of a priority for Muslim Americans than foreign policy, survey of 1,500 Muslims claims to show

August 25, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) Muslim Americans care more about civil rights, health care and education reforms than foreign policy, an online survey by a coalition of national Muslim organisations has claimed. According to the survey, which was held over a period of five months and gathered […]

Government & Politics

Biden aides apologise privately over attack on Linda Sarsour In a private call with community activists, a recording of which was obtained by MEE, Biden campaign officials said statements against Sarsour were an 'egregious misstep'

August 23, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) Top aides to presidential candidate Joe Biden have apologised to Arab and Muslim Democrats over an attack on Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour by the campaign, in an effort to quell anger over the controversy. In a private call with […]

Clerics & Preachers

Influential Muslim scholar Hamza Yusuf criticised for backing UAE-Israel deal Academics say Yusuf's endorsement of the Israel-UAE deal is part of a long history of condoning the actions of the UAE government

August 21, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) Hamza Yusuf, a prominent Muslim scholar based in the United States, is facing a deluge of criticism after publicly endorsing the United Arab Emirates’ decision to normalise ties with Israel — a move which has in large part been condemned […]

Government & Politics

Linda Sarsour says Biden campaign’s ‘unprovoked’ attack hurts Democrats Biden campaign says it is committed to engaging with Muslims, but non-apology has done little to quell anger from Sarsour's supporters

August 20, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) There is a realistic chance that November’s presidential election may be decided by who wins Michigan. In 2016, President Donald Trump won the Midwestern state by a mere 10,000 votes. Michigan also happens to be home to large Arab […]

Government & Politics

Biden campaign’s attacks on Linda Sarsour alienate Muslim voters, activists say Muslim advocates say the campaign's statement against Sarsour shows disregard for Muslim voters who may play key role in November's election

August 19, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour offered advice to the Democrats on Tuesday on how to engage Muslim voters: ensure representation, treat Muslims as a decisive voting bloc in swing states and reach out to them in their communities. “The Democratic […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

‘Slap in the face’: Muslims decry Bloomberg’s upcoming appearance at Democratic convention As New York mayor, Bloomberg oversaw a surveillance programme that targeted Muslim community gatherings, businesses and student groups

August 18, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg oversaw a surveillance programme targeting the city’s Muslim community for almost a decade. This week he will be speaking at the Democratic national convention — an event that has so far focused on […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Democratic congressman faces accusations of Islamophobia over anti-BDS flyer Congressman William Lacy Clay has been accused of putting 'Muslim lives in danger' by progressive challenger Cori Bush

August 3, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) Congressman William Lacy Clay, a Missouri Democrat, is facing accusations of Islamophobia after his campaign sent a flyer featuring the photo of Muslim-American activist Linda Sarsour to attack his progressive challenger over her support for the right to boycott […]

Government & Politics

‘We don’t need someone distracted with Twitter’: Ilhan Omar fights off tough primary challenge The Minnesota freshman and 'Squad' member faces criticism that she’s too divisive to effectively represent her district.

August 1, 2020   

(Politico) Rep. Ilhan Omar is one of the best-known Democrats from the class of 2018, a lightning-rod member of the Squad whose outspoken liberal politics have made her an enemy of Donald Trump. Back home in Minneapolis, however, her polarizing national profile […]

Government & Politics

Deleted Biden video sets off a crisis at Voice of America The taxpayer-funded outlet is grappling with the fallout from a video post deemed too favorable to the former vice president, setting off recriminations and suspicion amid a shakeup.

July 30, 2020   

(Politico) Voice of America is weighing a suspension of four contractors who were involved in publishing a story and video that was deemed too favorable to Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, according to two people familiar with the matter. On July 22, VOA’s […]

Government & Politics

‘Dismantle’ racism: Muslim-American Democrats issue platform proposals Coalition of Muslim Democratic delegates puts forward list of recommendations including ending surveillance programmes and US aid to Israel

July 24, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) In 2016, the Democratic Party’s platform sounded an alarm on the harm that a Donald Trump presidency would cause by outlining potential damages to different communities targeted by the then-Republican nominee’s proposals. “The stakes have been high in previous […]

Government & Politics

Ilhan Omar campaign mailer accuses opponent of being ‘in the pocket of Wall Street’ and only quotes Jewish donors by name The mailer references three Jewish donors, plus 'Michael, a donor from Scarsdale, New York.'

July 23, 2020   

(Vice) Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) campaign recently sent out a mail piece ripping her primary opponent, attorney Antone Melton-Meaux, for the large donations he’s gotten from wealthy and moderate donors. The only donors to her opponent identified by name in the mailer […]

News: North America

Two of the ISIS terrorists dubbed the Beatles admit involvement in captivity of Kayla Mueller, James Foley In exclusive interviews, the two men, Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, for the first time admitted their involvement in the captivity of Mueller.

July 23, 2020 , and   

(NBC) Two of the British ISIS terrorists dubbed the “Beatles” further incriminated themselves in the mistreatment of Western hostages in Syria, including Americans Kayla Mueller and James Foley, in interviews obtained exclusively by NBC News. In the interviews, the two men, Alexanda […]

Government & Politics

Biden campaign holds private meeting with Palestinian-American activists Senior adviser to Joe Biden was 'evasive' and made no promises to address Israel's human rights abuses, source tells MEE

July 22, 2020   

(Middle East Eye) Joe Biden’s presidential campaign held a private virtual meeting with Palestinian-American activists on Tuesday, several sources familiar with the call confirmed to Middle East Eye. Tony Blinken, a top campaign adviser, drew a “contrast between Donald Trump and Joe […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

House votes to repeal Trump travel ban

July 22, 2020   

(Hill) The House passed legislation to repeal President Trump’s controversial travel ban in a 233-183 vote along party lines on Wednesday. The legislation — spearheaded by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and backed by 219 co-sponsors — includes language aimed at reining in […]