By Yesterday morning, we woke up to the news that Donald Trump won the general election, making him the 45th President-Elect of the United States. Muslims (as well as Hindus, Sikhs, Mexicans, African Americans, the LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, sexual assault and harassment victims, women, and pretty much any other marginalized community you can think of) have faced the reality TV star’s rampant hatred for the past 17 months. Our motto is that Muslim Women Talk Back. But sometimes, even we don’t know what to feel or say.
Aya Khalil
“I’m just so sad.
Sad for my immigrant parents.
Sad for my kids.
I broke down watching my daughter in gymnastics today. Playing innocently and having fun with her peers. I sat quietly watching with tears rolling down my eyes, as four other white parents watched their kids and I couldn’t help but wonder if they were one of those who voted to ban people who looked like me. I’m also sad for my parents who immigrated 30 years ago to the USA for a better life. a couple of years ago they watched in disbelief as Sisi won in Egypt and now this. My heart hurts for them.”
Sumaia Masoom
“It’s 2016 in Amerikkka and a man who has bragged about sexually assaulting women — 14 of which have come forward in just the past few weeks — just won a Presidential election one night by spewing hatred against virtually every marginalized group there is, and is preparing to stand trial in a federal court for fraud in a few weeks the next. I’m scared for myself, I’m scared for my sisters, I’m scared for my parents, I’m scared for all of my friends and family. But I’m most scared for a generation that hasn’t even been born yet.”
Zoya Qamar
“Literally even in the most amazing, twist of events, best case MIRACLE scenario is that Trump staffs a diverse cabinet and magically is not terrible (a true MIRACLE), the cold reality still stands: His hate rhetoric won him the nation and his sickening issues/affiliations didn’t stop him and that is what is so scary and terrifying and disheartening, my god.
Also thinking of all the older community members in Muslim and other minority community who didn’t before believe/have faith in casting their vote — I felt like there was SUCH a push for them to go out, and I saw people with their grandparents and parents and all that really going for it.
‘His hate rhetoric won him the nation and his sickening issues/affiliations didn’t stop him and that is what is so scary and terrifying and disheartening, my god.’
So 1) It’s just sad now, but 2) It just means there was an equivalent push on the other xenophobic end to squash that. Like — okay, fine, Electoral College aside, whatever, the two aggregate waves of those going against each other is just scary because i know how hard and how many people went out to vote for the first time, mA.”
Iqra Mehdi
“I just feel like it’s happened again. I went to sleep thinking Brexit wouldn’t happen and woke up to a new reality. I went to sleep thinking Donald Trump would be humiliated and have woken up in what feels like a dystopian universe.”
Yathrip Abdelgadir
“I’m worried about my dad who works 40+ hours a week just to make ends meet. He works for me and my siblings to have a better life, and my parents left everything they knew back home to come here for a better life. And now there’s a chance that all of that might be taken away in the blink of an eye.”
Halema
“For me, this is the same sinking feeling I remember on 9/12/01. Granted, I was much younger. But it’s still the same fear of the unknown, wondering what happens next. The same sinking feeling of doom.”
Tahira Ayub
“I’ve been crying on and off, I’ve gotten into more arguments about this in one morning than I’ve had arguments all year, I honestly don’t understand how people don’t get that we aren’t upset that Hillary didn’t win — we don’t really care for either — we’re upset that voting him in office is accepting his bigotry, racism, sexism, and human indecency as okay, and I’m already trying to figure out how to fight back in whatever I can.”
Maysoon Khatib
“For me the election results are more than just about my kids. It’s not even so much about Trump than it is about the trajectory of where are nation is headed in terms of the acceptance of hate rhetoric, the denial of people in need (refugees), the strong sentiment against Muslims and our appointed roles as informants, our relationships with people of color, the undeniable acceptance of bullying and targeting of the disadvantaged.
‘The result of the election speaks loudly of what our neighbors have been feeling forever but were too afraid to say in the past. Long gone are the niceties and the #blessyourheart mentality. Shit just got real.’
The result of the election speaks loudly of what our neighbors have been feeling forever but were too afraid to say in the past. Long gone are the niceties and the #blessyourheart mentality. Shit just got real.”
Azia Magane
“It got very real for me this morning, when I listened my husband, who is the strongest man I know, on the phone in Morocco — crying, because he is afraid for my safety and feels helpless to protect me.”
Iman Ibrahim
“For me, having Trump nominated shows me how unwanted we really are here. And I’m scared as hell, because there are Trump signs on the way to my house on my campus.”
Carol Nisar
“Trump’s win reminds me of why I lost contact with my conservative white American relatives when I converted to Islam. It just makes me so angry that he led so many followers to believe him based on his scare tactics. My husband is a new immigrant here and we are scared about what Trump will do to immigration policies.”
Nour Saudi
“In a weird way, I feel oddly more faithful? It’s like, now that you know just how bad this country is, you realize God is greater than everything.”
Hasnaa Mokhtar
“I have yet to digest that this is 2016, America is the country leader of the world, and this happened today. What is the difference then between dictators and regimes Americans criticize and this? Voting? Voting means shit when it leads to an immoral, sexist, narcissistic, bigot sick minded white a** hole become “leader of the free world.” And western media have guts to criticize turkey for post-coup madness? What about this insanity??!!! Worst, I am reading white women voted big for Trump. What does that say about violence and abuse? Oh God, it hurts!!!!
I keep telling myself no, this is not an episode of “Scandal” or “House of Cards”…
But on a brighter side, we have to pull ourselves together! We WILL NOT SURRENDER TO HATE AND ALLOW THE HATERS TO WIN!”
Nihal Mubarak
“I’m afraid. I’m afraid for my little sister, who–like many kids her age–has been put into a position to be concerned for her future when she shouldn’t have to be. I’m afraid for my parents, whose sole purpose in coming here was to make our lives easier. I’m afraid that their sacrifice will have been for nothing. I’m afraid for myself and for my fellow sisters in hijab, because our safety is no longer guaranteed. I’m afraid, but I am also hopeful.
I keep repeating this verse to reassure myself:
{وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ}
But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not (2:216)”
Ruba Odeh
“I honestly didn’t care who won the election. Both were horrible choices. But what’s sad is how obvious it is that racism is still alive in this country. The Trump supporters will argue that they’re not racist, but when you vote for a racist, you’re a racist.
‘We’ve just become better at hiding our racism and our prejudices. This isn’t Trump’s America. This is America. Always has been and probably always will be.’
When you vote for a misogynist, you’re either a misogynist yourself, or a woman who’s okay with misogynists and being degraded as a female, or are so racist that you’re willing to look past that in order to get him into office.
The numbers speak for themselves. We haven’t progressed as a nation since the Civil Rights Movement. We’ve just become better at hiding our racism and our prejudices. This isn’t Trump’s America. This is America. Always has been and probably always will be.”
Laila Khan
“Because all my family is in America, I’m just primarily feeling anxious and scared for them. It’s so scary hearing about Islamophobic attacks from afar, thinking, what if the next one is someone I know? My family lives in California, so there’s a lot of diversity and my mom and sister are telling me, “It’s okay, don’t worry,” but I can’t help it. If just his speeches can bring a 70%+ increase in hate crimes, what will him becoming president do?
Secondly, I’m so angry that he could insult so many people hurt so many people and still make it all the way. How did we fall so low? I’m so angry and upset that he, a bully a rapist an overall terrible terrible man can become a leader of such a diverse country
I can’t believe it.”
Dena Igusti
“I broke down fie times today. I told everyone I loved that I loved them in case anything happens, and I cried because I have to say that now.”
Hanan Issa
“Everyone was very subdued in work today. I was in shock, to be honest. Brexit and now this — the impact of anti Islamic and xenophobic rhetoric is soul-destroying. Like many have been saying this was a white lash — white people scared of losing…what, I’m not sure. A lot of uncertainty. My thoughts and prayers with you girls.”
Hiba Ahmad
“This election cycle is my springboard as it should be for every person who feels as this election cycle has completely let them down.
Do not stop being unapologetically yourself–whatever that means to you. This is our country as much as it is a white man’s. We will prevail, we will move forward, we will grow. May Allah give us strength.”
Maham Khan
“I walked home from the train station with my phone dialed to 911, ready to scream at the top of my lungs in case anything were to happen. This was the night before he was elected. I can’t imagine how this paranoia will increase over he course of the next four years.
‘As a small business owner, I’m afraid it’s going to harm me in my growth, as a brown Muslim girl, it’s scary to think that someone who can be walking next to me thinks I shouldn’t be here, even if i came here legally.’
As a small business owner, I’m afraid it’s going to harm me in my growth, as a brown Muslim girl, it’s scary to think that someone who can be walking next to me thinks I shouldn’t be here, even if i came here legally. I feel like there’s a knife hanging over my head. I just moved here from Canada a few years ago and was looking forward to apply for my parents so that they could stay here with me when I have kids and help raise them, I’m scared I won’t get to do that anymore.”
Kaya Gravitter
“Trump winning just proves how horrible the minds of the people who live in the country are. This land is your land, this land is my land. This land was made for you and me. The Pilgrims came here for religious freedom! This win has made me happy I converted to Islam because now more than ever, I am proud of my religion and the scarf I wear. Muslims are intelligent, Muslims are kind hearted, giving, and Muslims know how to stand together when times are tough. We will stand together and support each other! We are as American as anyone else. We have nothing to be ashamed of!”
Muslim women are strong, but we are allowed to be vulnerable too. Whatever we are feeling, our feelings will not be silenced. Whatever is coming, by the grace of Allah, we we will be ready.
I loved this post!!! We need to hear everyone’s voices, feelings of sadness but also of hope! SakeenahBegum.com