Al-Qazwini: “We have to show them that the Muslim vote matters”

Sayed Hossein Al-Qazwini Photo screenshot YouTube Islamic Educational Center of Orange County

Sayed Hossein Al-Qazwini is a Professor of Fiqh (Jurisprudence), Usul al Fiqh (Legal Theory), and Rijal (Biography) at the Islamic Seminary of Karbala, Iraq.

He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a BA in Islamic Studies and has been lecturing at various religious gatherings in the US.

After the fall of the former Iraqi regime, Sayed Hossein returned to Karbala with his father, Ayatollah Sayed Mortada Al-Qazwini. Sayed Hossein is currently furthering his studies under prominent scholars, including his own father and Ayatollah Al-Hairi, at the Islamic Seminary in the holy city of Karbala.

Sayed Hossein also leads congregational prayers on a daily basis in the blessed shrine of Imam Husayn. At other times, he travels to countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada to give lectures on Islam and preach the message of the Ahlul Bayt.

On July 12, 2024, Sayed Hossein Al-Qazwini delivered the Friday sermon at the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County. In his speech, Al-Qazwini explained the principles that should guide American Muslims in voting in the upcoming elections.

Al-Qazwini’s Friday sermon

In every election year there is a common question: Who should we [Muslims] vote for? Should we vote Republican or should we vote Democrat? Should we vote Liberal or should we vote Conservative?

This question applies to all countries, not just the United States of America. But people around the globe, around the world, in every election year, especially in the West, they ask the same question. In the UK, in Australia, in the Netherlands, in Europe, in Canada, there is always a competition between the far-right and the far-left, the Conservatives and the Liberals, the Democrats and the Republicans.

Previously, Muslims generally lean towards the Liberals. Muslims generally lean towards the Democrats. Today, there are opposing views. There is a different opinion. There are some that say we should turn to Conservatives. We should vote Republican. We should vote Republican or Conservative. Or not vote at all. Or we don't participate in elections at all.

Today, there are some that are saying we are sick and tired of Liberals. We are sick and tired of Democrats. We have had enough. Enough is enough. They waged a war against the family unit, the family unit, the family structure that we know of a man and a woman and a woman. Today they're waging a war against the family unit. You're teaching our children that a family can be compromised of a man and a man or a woman and a woman. They ruining our children and they're brain-washing our kids. In addition to the fact that they have given a free pass to Israel without condemnation of their atrocities and their genocide.

Things are getting out of hand when Liberals are in control and authorities in the hands of the Democrats and the Liberals. The west is becoming too difficult to live in especially for Muslim families for kids and for children.

Today, my dear brothers and sisters ,in the very short time that we have, we will present four perspectives on elections. One perspective says that we should shift from Liberals to Conservatives. Muslims should vote Conservative whether here in America or in the UK or everywhere else in the west. We need to start voting Conservative.

The second perspective says that we need to continue voting Liberal. We need to continue to vote for Democrats. A third perspective says that we should not participate in elections at all. Don't vote whatsoever. Don't vote for Conservatives. Don't vote for Liberals. We need to stay out of politics and stay away from elections. And number four I will present my humble take on this subject at the end.

The first perspective says that we should vote Conservative and Republican. Why? At the end of the day all of these politicians they're Zionists. They all support Israel. They all give a free pass to Israel Democrats and Republicans Conservative and Liberal.

At least Conservatives they show it. They don't hide it. They're not hypocrites, while Liberals are hypocrites. They pretend to be neutral. They pretend to support Muslim rights. They pretend to support Gaza and Palestine, but deep down inside and under the table they have also given a free pass to Israel. So they're just as evil. They pretend to be diplomatic. They pretend to be moderate, but they're just as evil. At least Conservatives, what you see is what you get. They don't have nothing to hide. They don't have a hidden agenda. What they believe in they come out and they say it.

This perspective also says that we have common values with Conservatives. We have common values. We share with them certain values. For example Conservatives are against gender neutrality. We Muslims are against gender neutrality. The idea that you can choose your gender, one day you're a man, another day you're a woman, another day you're both, another day you're neither. Conservatives are against such an idea and so too are Muslims.

Conservatives and Republicans are against abortion so too are Muslims. Conservatives and Republicans are against the LGBTQ agenda, and I say agenda, the LGBTQ agenda, not the individuals, but the agenda, so to are Muslims.

Thus we share common ground. We share common beliefs. We share common principles, while the Democrats, while the Liberals, no. They gave a free pass to Israel. They supported genocide as we've seen. From political positions in America in Canada in Europe in the UK and France they've given a free pass to Israel, a complete support of genocide. They did not condemn genocide nor did they call for a ceasefire. They kept on giving Israel ammunition against the innocent people of Gaza and the innocent people of Palestine.

There have been over 40,000 people killed in Gaza up till today. Who gave them the green light? It was the Liberals. It was the Democrats. And most of these innocent people that are killed are women and children.

Liberals and Democrats are waging a war against the family unit, against morality, against ethics, against what a family should be of. A family is made of a man and a woman, not a man and a man, not a woman and a woman. This doesn't exist. This goes against nature. They've given a green light for the LGBTQ community and their agenda, and their agenda. They make it okay. They've given them a free pass and they support this agenda. This is happening at the hands of Liberals and Democrats, not at the hands of Conservatives and Republicans.

And so, if Democrats come back to power again for a second term this can be disastrous for our children. This can be disastrous for our families. This can be disastrous for Gaza and Palestine. We need to pack our bags and leave, because there's no room to raise our children properly and in an Islamic religious manner as long as the Liberals are in power.

And indeed, I know several individuals, several families, I have friends who decided to pack their bags and leave. They went back to the Middle East, because as long as the Liberals are in power, the Democrats are in power, we can no longer raise proper Muslim children. This is one perspective.

The second perspective says that no, this is wrong. The first camp has it wrong. We need to continue voting Liberal. We need to continue voting Democrat. Why? Because if Republicans and Conservatives were in power they would have done much worse for Palestine and Gaza, and it would have been much worse. A lot more aid would have been given to Israel. A much bigger pass would have been given to Israel. A lot more consent, a lot more aid, a lot more ammunition and weapons if Republicans were in power.

And this is very evident from the statements of the current current U.S. Presidential candidate from the Republican party. Look at his statements and his unconditional support for Israel when he speaks when he says, speaks for his party for the Conservatives and for Republicans. Who was it that changed Israel's capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem? Who? Was it the Liberals of the Conservatives? Was it the Conservatives? It was the Republicans. Who destroyed the Iran deal? Was it the Liberals or the Conservatives? It was the Conservatives. Who endorsed Arab normalization with Israel? Was it the Liberals or the Conservatives. It was the Conservatives.

If Republicans and Conservatives if they had the power to deport all Muslims from the U.S. And Europe and the UK they would, if they have the power, if they have the power, if they have the authority to kick us out and deport us, they would.

Thus the second perspective says that they are both evil, both Conservatives and Liberals they're both evil, but we have to look at the lesser of two evils. Who is the lesser of two evils? It remains the Liberals, and not the Conservatives.

And as for the LGBTQ community and their agenda, gender neutrality, here we have to protect ourselves and our children and our family members by having our mosques, by supporting our mosques, by opening Islamic schools, after school programs, majalis [meeting or assembly], the majalis of Imam Hussain that we hold on these nights, they protect our children. Youth camps and retreats, they protect our children. We protect our children in this way that we have to vote Liberal. This is the second perspective.

The third perspective says that we should not vote at all whether in the U.S. Or the UK or any other country in the West we should not participate in politics. We have nothing to do with politics. These politicians are all evil. They have the blood of the people of Gaza and Palestine, and the blood of Muslims on their hands, all of them, all of them. Their hands are stained with the blood of innocent people, and hence we are refrain. We stay away.

They're all the same but different names. Liberals, Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, they are the same. They are all the same with different names, and they all hate us. By participating in elections we are encouraging them. We are supporting them.

Thus, we Muslims should stay away from politics and stay away from elections. Why should we give our voice to any of these horrible politicians? ولا تعاونوا على الإثم والعدوان the Quran says. Do not help one another in disobeying Allah, in corruption, in destroying innocent lives.

These are three perspectives. The first says we should vote Conservative. The second says we should vote continuing to vote Liberal, and the third says that we should not get involved at all. We should not participate in politics. The second sermons, Allah Willing, I will show my personal humble take on the subject… [supplication in Arabic]

My dear brothers and sisters, as I continue from the first sermon, here we say the following. After presenting three perspectives on who to vote for, we present the following. Number one, we should not make emotional decisions. We should not make decisions based on certain time frames and certain time periods. We have to logic. We have to be rational. We have to be reasonable.

When voting we have to look at a long history of a political party. Conservatives and their long history, Liberals and their long history, not just a couple of years. Although the last couple of years can be defining moments, they can be defining moments for these political parties, yet, you have to stay very careful.

This party, where did it come from and where did it stand when it comes to Islam and Muslims and when it comes to Muslim countries, when it comes to innocent nations? Where do they stand? We have to look at their long history. This is one. Number two, my dear brothers and sisters, such an important decision on where the Muslim community stands, this should be left for the [Muslim] scholars [ulama -علماء) for the scholars. It is the scholars of the community that make such important decisions for the community.

Such decisions should not be made by young youth or YouTubers or influential members on social media, that open a camera and come and sit and decide the fate of the Muslim community, that the Muslim community will vote Conservative and not Liberal or vote Liberal and not Conservative. Excuse me, who are you? Who gave you the authority to speak on behalf of the Muslim community? Where are the scholars? Whose opinion did you seek? Who did you consult? Who gave you the authority to speak on behalf of the community when there are scholars present and they have not given their opinion yet. Who are you?

 مجاري الأمور والأحكام على أيدي العلماء Ahl al-Bayt told us to refer to the scholars, to the experienced ones who have wisdom who have experience in this nation and who have been working on this scene for years. We have to refer to them, consult them, consult their expertise and see what they believe and of course the scholars they also consult others, the reasonable, logical members of the community.

Today, unfortunately, we have certain youth, very young members of the community, they come and they try to teach the community what to do and they teach other scholars and ulama. They think that they can dictate to the ulama what to do. Who are you to tell the ulama what to do? You were born yesterday. Instead of being taught by the ulama, instead of being inspired by the ulama, they come and they teach the ulama what to do, who to meet, with what sort of positions to have, who to speak with, who to sit down with. Who are you in the face of the ulama?

It is the ulama that decide. Any community, any community that does not follow the wisdom of its ulama will go astray. A community that wishes to be successful has to obey and have obedience to its ulama, and to the respected members of the clergy and the ulama. This is number two.

Number three, my dear friends, it is illogical and it is not of wisdom to stick, to choose one political party and stick to this political party forever, and say we Muslims are Liberal we will always vote Liberal, or we Muslims are Conservative and we shall always vote Conservative. This is not logical. This is illogical. This doesn't make sense.

In every elections it varies from candidate to candidate. Sometimes a good candidate is from the Republican party, sometimes it's from the Democratic party, and sometimes they're both bad. But there is a lesser of two evils. In many cases they're both evil. But one is more evil than the other. So it varies and in every election year we have to study the candidates carefully. We don't just say we vote Liberal or we vote Conservative.

We study the candidates. We see who they are? Where do they stand? What sort of history do they have? What sort of positions do they have and what are they saying? What are they planning on doing? You have to take this into consideration and candidates should also know that the Muslim community is uncommitted to a specific party. We're uncommitted. In one elections we might vote Liberal and in other elections we might vote Conservative.

Don't take the Muslim vote for granted. Don't think that you have Muslims in your pocket. No, cater to Muslims, cater to the Muslim community and you will win our vote. Win our votes, win through your actions, through your positions by supporting Muslim innocent countries, by supporting the innocent. That's how you cater to the Muslim vote.

And so, they should know that the Muslim vote may change from election to election. The position that we took four years ago might change to this year and in the next four years it will change again based on the candidates, based on what they have to offer, based on where they stand from innocent people, based on their morality and on their ethics. This is something very important.

Number four, my dear friends, and I have to say this is that we should not vote based on personal interests. Well, this candidate offers tax cuts for my business. My business is doing well and I'm in need of a tax cut, and so I will vote for this candidate, or I will vote for that candidate. This is ridiculous. This is ridiculous. Don't base your vote on personal interests, on personal benefit.

Look at the greater benefit. Look at the Muslim community. The Muslim community will benefit from whom? Our children. The future of our families. Our children. Our kids. Their morality, their ethics will benefit from whom? Not because of high benefit or my business benefits personally, yes, I might benefit personally.

What about my children? What about my community? What about the people of Gaza? What about the Islamic world? What about the innocent people around the world? Who will they benefit from? I shouldn't look at it from our personal lens.

Number five, my dear friends, by not voting, those who say we should not vote altogether, we should drop elections, stay at home, Muslims should not participate in elections whatsoever. You know who has to lose? You know who will lose? It's not the Conservatives and not the Liberals. We will lose by not participating in elections we will lose.

We will show them that the Muslim vote doesn't matter. We're a big number. We are big in number, but our votes don't matter, because we don't vote. Is this how it works here in the US or in the West? By not voting by not participating in elections do you think politicians will care for us any longer? They will cater to us? They will try to win our votes? No. When we don't vote we lose. We lose.

We have to show them that the Muslim vote matters, that matters, plays a role just like in the 2020 elections when the Muslim community in Michigan, they played a role in the US elections. They showed the world, they showed the United States of America that when they vote their vote matters especially in swing states. Why should we be brushed? Why should they brush us off and say that the Muslim vote doesn't matter?

No, we should vote, but we should be uncommitted. Sometimes we vote this way, sometimes we vote that way, whoever caters to us the most, whoever cares for our interests the most, we vote. Don't say that we should not be involved in politics, we should not support them. You know why? Because you already live here and all of your paying taxes hopefully hopefully most of your paying taxes that's you're already supporting them whether you like it or you don't.

By not voting you don't get to decide where your tax dollars get spent. Is it going to Ukraine? Is it going to Israel? Is it being spent on education? Is it being spent on health? You don't get to decide, but you're paying taxes. Don't say we don't want to support them. You're already supporting them. You're already supporting them by paying taxes. At least go out and vote.

If there're two horrible choices, choose the least horrible. I'm not telling you they're great. There are horrible choices, but there's horrible and there's more horrible. There's evil and there's more evil. This is what it comes down to.

And finally number six. At all times we have to remain vocal. We have to make our voice heard. Remain active. Do not underestimate your voices, my dear brothers and sisters. Be vocal, speak, fight for the truth, fight for the innocent at all times. Our voice is a gift from Allah, glorified and exalted be He, and we will held accountable. We've lent our voice to whom? Let's be active. Let's not be passive.

This is the least thing that we may learn from Imam Hussain, peace be upon him, to enjoin the good and forbid evil, to order good and forbid evil. Allah, glorified and exalted be He, gives you a voice, make use of it, benefit from it, lend it to the innocent. What the innocent benefit from your voice?

Imam Hussain, peace be upon him, says, إني لم أخرج أشراً، ولا بطراً ولا مفسداً، ولا ظالماً، وإنما خرجت لطلب الاصلاح في أمة جدي، أريد أن آمر بالمعروف وأنهي عن المنكر I came out to order good and forbid evil. If we attend the majalis of Imam Hussain, peace be upon him, but we don't take this lesson from him, we're not inspired by him to speak out, to be active, then we haven't learned anything from Imam Hussain, peace be upon him.

I ask Allah, glorified and exalted be He, to lift all of the atrocities and injustices that are taking place on all the innocents around the world, especially the people of Gaza and Palestine. I ask Allah, glorified and exalted be He, to bring peace to bring peace and tranquility to our people and our family members in Gaza and Palestine...[supplication in Arabic].