“They Want the Muslims and Arabs, But We Aren’t Even Welcome”: Kamala Harris Campaign Apologizes After Muslim Leader Removed from Rally

The Kamala Harris campaign has issued an apology after a prominent local Muslim Democratic leader in Detroit was abruptly removed from a campaign rally, an action the campaign has since described as an error. The incident has sparked frustration within the Muslim community, particularly in light of growing tensions over U.S. support for Israel.

According to Detroit Metro Times, Ahmed Ghanim, a Democrat and a vocal critic of U.S. support for Israel’s military actions, was escorted out of the Harris rally at the Royal Oak Music Theatre without explanation. Ghanim, who immigrated to the U.S. from Egypt in 2001, said he had been invited to the event but was abruptly told to leave by a campaign organizer.

“Ahmed Ghanim, a Democrat, says he accepted an invitation to the event and was seated in the Royal Oak Music Theatre when a campaign organizer ordered him to leave,” reported Steve Neavling. Ghanim described the moment when he was taken to the door, where two police officers were waiting.

“The unidentified organizer took me to the door, and she closed it. I found two police officers waiting there, and she said, ‘You have to leave right now.’ I asked why she was kicking me out. She wouldn’t answer. I was very calmly asking why I was being kicked out,” Ghanim said. When Ghanim continued to ask for an explanation, a police officer threatened to arrest him if he didn’t leave immediately.

Outrage in the Muslim Community

The incident has caused outrage among Detroit’s Muslim and Arab communities, many of whom feel increasingly alienated by the Democratic Party’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. “They keep saying they want the Muslims and the Arabs, but we aren’t even welcome at an event,” Ghanim expressed. He also noted that he had canvassed extensively in the area and ran for office in the district where the rally took place, which heightened his frustration over being removed. Muslim activists on social media expressed their anger at the incident, with many calling for greater inclusivity and transparency in political spaces.

Harris Campaign Apologizes and Acknowledges Mistake

The Harris campaign has since issued a public apology, acknowledging that Ghanim’s removal was unauthorized and not reflective of their values. “The campaign was swiftly informed by Emgage Action of yesterday’s incident and looked into it,” the Harris campaign said in a statement. “Our campaign regrets this action and its impact on Dr. Ghanim and the community, and he is welcome at future events. We value our relationship with the Muslim American community and are committed to ensuring all community and political spaces are welcoming and respectful to every American.”

Broader Tensions with Muslim Voters

This incident comes at a sensitive time for the Harris campaign, as tensions with Muslim voters continue to rise, particularly over the Israel-Hamas war. Many Muslim voters, particularly in Michigan, have voiced frustration over the lack of conditions placed on U.S. aid to Israel, as civilians in Gaza face mass death and displacement.

Michigan, a key swing state in the 2024 election, has a significant Muslim population that could influence the electoral outcome. As the Harris campaign works to mend relationships with the Muslim community, incidents like the removal of Ghanim from the rally highlight the challenges the campaign faces in regaining trust.

For now, the campaign’s apology has acknowledged the misstep, but the broader challenge of addressing voter concerns regarding U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East remains a critical issue moving forward.