As the Texas midterm elections approach on November 3, the Islamic Center of Frisco hosted a “BBQ and Ballots” event on October 24 to encourage political engagement among local Muslims. The gathering, held at Frisco Commons Park near a Collin County polling center, featured grilled burgers and halal hot dogs and aimed to foster civic participation within the community.
Sarah Asrar, a new U.S. citizen and first-time voter, attended the event with her family. She has begun to engage with local politics, volunteering for a mayoral candidate. Asrar expressed concerns about the recently approved social studies curriculum by the Republican-majority State Board of Education, stating that it portrays Islam negatively. “They just want to paint us in a bad light,” she said, adding that her daughter feels the need to hide her religion.
Nauman Shafi, a member of the mosque’s civics committee, emphasized the importance of educating congregation members about their civic duties. He noted a shift in voting patterns, with many community members historically favoring Republican candidates but increasingly aligning with Democratic views this election cycle due to divisive political rhetoric regarding Muslims.
For several months, Texas Republicans have campaigned on promises to ban Sharia law, despite its prohibition under the U.S. Constitution. Governor Greg Abbott has faced backlash for designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group, as a terrorist organization. In addition, recent State Board of Education curriculum changes portray Islam as connected to conflict and conquest.
Local government meetings in Frisco and nearby McKinney have become contentious over zoning decisions for new mosques, with debates spilling into national headlines following inflammatory remarks made during a local mayoral race.
Participants, including Yameen Ahmed, noted a surge in anti-Muslim sentiment this election cycle. He highlighted the prevalence of political messaging aimed at demonizing the Muslim community, stating, “There’s a lot more influencers going out and trying to target the Muslim community.” Ahmed actively supports Democratic candidates and hopes to counter voter apathy by getting Muslim voices heard in the political arena.
Hasna Begum, a long-time Texas resident, participated in the event while expressing her belief in the necessity for civic engagement, regardless of partisan alignment. “We should always be vocal about our choice, our rights,” she said, underscoring the importance of community participation in elections.
The Islamic Center of Frisco’s initiative seeks to amplify Muslim civic involvement amid a charged political climate as both major parties prepare for elections that may influence party control in the U.S. Senate.
