Washington, D.C. | www.mpac.org | November 4, 2026 — Yesterday, voters across the country reaffirmed a fundamental truth about American democracy: we are not passive observers of our nation's future, but active participants with the power to shape its direction and demand change.
The growing presence of American Muslims in Congress reflects decades of civic engagement and a community determined to have a voice in shaping our nation's future:
Senator Abdul El-Sayed
Representative André Carson
Representative Rashida Tlaib
Representative Ilhan Omar
Representative Lateefah Simon
Representative Adam Hamawy
Representative Darializa Avila Chevalier
Representative Aisha Wahab*
*Race has yet to be called.
This election season, we witnessed an unprecedented normalization of anti-Muslim hate as an election strategy, from inflammatory statements by elected officials and senior administration leaders to coordinated harassment by far-right provocateurs and personal attacks against Muslim candidates. American Muslims seeking public office were subjected to baseless accusations of extremism, attacks on their faith and patriotism, and efforts to portray their political participation as a threat to the country.
Despite efforts to intimidate our community and discourage participation in the democratic process, the response was the exact opposite. American Muslims in Michigan turned out in extraordinary numbers in states like Georgia, Texas, Minnesota, Kansas, North Carolina, and Michigan, demonstrating that fear and political hostility would not deter them from exercising their rights or shaping their country's future.
The election also demonstrated a growing embrace of faith as a positive force in American politics, with leaders like James Talarico and Abdul El-Sayed reflecting a desire for authentic expressions of faith rooted in inclusion and service rather than division and exclusion.
As newly elected and returning members of Congress prepare to take office, MPAC will work to turn this moment into meaningful action and focus on concrete issues that touch every family:
Demanding real policy solutions for inflation while pressing Congress to end military action in Iran and reclaim its war powers.
Demanding congressional oversight and defending religious liberty, due process, and equal protection under the law for all Americans.
Using research and strategic advocacy to dismantle the organized political networks that drive anti-Muslim discrimination.
Engaging across religious and political divides to counter hyper-partisanship with practical, shared goals.
At MPAC, our mandate does not shift based on which party controls Congress. When we meet with elected officials, we do not care whether they have a 'D' or an 'R' next to their name. We care whether they keep their promises, protect constitutional rights, and serve their constituents with excellence.
That commitment means challenging leadership failures no matter who is in power. We held the Biden administration accountable for its disastrous handling of the war in Gaza and its refusal to stop Palestinian suffering. Today, we stand equally firm against policies under the Trump administration that expand executive overreach, weaken the courts, bypass Congress during wartime, or abuse federal immigration enforcement. No administration gets a free pass.
This moment calls for more than a change in political leadership. It calls for a renewed commitment to the democratic institutions, constitutional principles, and shared freedoms that belong to all Americans no matter what party they belong to. MPAC will continue working across political and religious divides to hold our leaders accountable and advance a democracy in which every community is represented and protected.
In Service,
Salam Al-Marayati
Co-Founder & President
Muslim Public Affairs Council
