As Islamophobia ramps up in US midterms, Texas Muslims eye local stakes

Houston, Texas – The final stretch of the United States midterm elections has been shrouded in growing Islamophobia, centred most prominently on Muslim candidates, such as Michigan Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed.This climate of prejudice may be presenting as a national issue, but it has been years in the making in Texas, where state politicians have pushed rhetoric and policies that Muslim voters say stigmatise their very existence.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Jamaal Bowman: ‘If I had kept my mouth shut, I’d be in Congress’list 2 of 3Trump dials up Islamophobia against Abdul El-Sayed at Michigan Senate rallylist 3 of 3US Muslims concerned but resilient as ‘hate’ attacks target Abdul El-Sayedend of listEven without a Muslim candidate on a statewide ballot, the election’s stakes, Muslim voters said, are extremely local.“Honestly, I feel it most through my kids,” said Samir Nadjam, a lawyer from Houston, who attended a “Fall Fest” celebration at a local Islamic centre with his family just days before the November 3 vote.“As adults we can pick and choose who we associate with,” the 45-year-old said. “But kids, they all go to school together and you’ll have ce...