Video Story from More than Four Years Ago! Reflecting on Trump, Islam, and African Communities By Mekki ELMOGRABI
Video Story from More than Four Years Ago!
Reflecting on Trump, Islam, and African Communities
My Republican friends in Trump’s 2024 campaign reminded me of a video where I participated in a discussion about the violent events that followed the killing of George Floyd. In the video, I was clear and frank in opposing the exploitation of Floyd’s death by Democrats and liberals to target Trump in an electoral battle focused on liberal interests and with little to no benefit for Black communities, immigrants, or minorities. I expressed sorrow over Floyd’s last words (“I can’t breathe”). Still, I emphasized that if I had only one last breath left, I would never support liberals in using Black lives as leverage in their battles against conservatives, only to have Black communities see no actual benefit.
Furthermore, I said I do not support attacks on Trump because he once stated, “Islam hates us,” as this statement was not an invention of Trump’s but rather a reflection of a widespread misunderstanding. I thanked Trump for speaking openly and for taking responsibility for such a confrontation, which requires us — myself and my fellow Muslims — to engage in a discussion with him and other conservatives to clear up misunderstandings. This approach prevents us from being exploited by those who seek to alter Islam itself, undermine the morals of Muslims, dismantle family values, and spread immorality through intellectual intimidation against religious people of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Conservatives indeed criticize Islam, but they do not demand we abandon our faith; in contrast, liberals often distort Islam and other religions, pushing religious people away from their faiths, especially by undermining fundamental values like family.
My interactions in American society are not limited to conservatives or Republicans. I am not an American citizen, nor do I lean blue or red. I am Sudanese, Muslim, and African, and I have no desire to become an immigrant or asylum seeker. I visit Western countries and previously worked in America as a representative of my country. I then returned to my homeland, benefiting from the good I learned in America and remaining cautious of the harmful aspects I observed. I must leverage the American experience — and other global experiences — for my country’s benefit, not to obtain citizenship or a passport through illegal immigration.
On the Democratic side, I also engage with Black Americans, as I am a regular guest at their gatherings, particularly among Black Muslims. This is very natural, as I am Muslim and African, and I feel a responsibility toward them; they accept from me what they may not accept from others. I used to go to the Muhammad Mosque in Washington, DC, and sit with Imam Talib, the head of the center there, discussing issues facing the Islamic world and my views on how Muslims can be spared both the harms of terrorism and the liberal distortion of community. In Africa, persecution and pressure on Muslims generate terrorism, yet attempts to defend Muslim rights are often led by Democrats in America. Unfortunately, Democrats use this support as a tool to incite opposition to conservatives. I constantly discuss this complex equation and believe that dialogue with African Americans among the Democrats is essential.
I am delighted with Trump’s victory, despite any disagreements I may have with him. He has put an end to the misrepresentation and hijacking of African and Muslim issues.
My Republican friends may bring up my video to Steve Bannon and others in Trump’s campaign, and perhaps Steve himself will remember my opinion, which agreed with his statement: “It is not true that the meaning of Islam is peace; it means surrender or submission.” I clearly said, “Steve is right,” because distorting meanings does not serve Islam. The accurate translation of Islam is “submission to God in peace,” but it does not mean peace directly. This understanding should be grounded in other verses and hadiths, rather than misleading people by playing on the similarity between the Arabic words for Islam and peace, “salam.”
The Link of the Video: MEKKI ELMOGRABI on Protests and BLM in USA
contact the Writer: elmograbi@gmail.com +12029607870 Whatsapp and Signal
