MELAKA, Nov 5 — The historic election of the first Muslim to the United States Senate should serve as a lesson for all on the importance of rejecting racial prejudice and religious discrimination, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He cited Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan as an example of how political participation could transcend racial and religious differences.
Anwar said the development reflected growing political acceptance of diversity and demonstrated that democracy should provide opportunities for people of all backgrounds, rather than be driven by racial sentiment.
“They understand democracy and reject racism. Those who defeated President Donald Trump’s Republican Party in the United States are people who oppose racism.
“They campaigned against racism and religious oppression, bringing a new message. When racism gains ground, Muslims and other minorities are the ones who suffer,” he said at the Melaka Madani Aspirations Tour programme for Klebang constituency at Taman Bukit Rambai here today.
El-Sayed, a Democrat, won Michigan’s Senate seat in the US midterm elections, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate.
Anwar said the victory demonstrated how rejecting racial prejudice could become a powerful message for political change.
However, he stressed that Malaysia need not emulate the US political model, as the country had its own identity as a prosperous, multiracial nation. — Bernama
