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Islamic Center Members Don't Sound Too Worried About Trump's Call For Poll Monitoring

wxxinews.org

In an election fraught with claims of rigging and fraud, Donald Trump’s latest call to action is for his supporters to "monitor" polls on Election Day.

While poll monitoring isn’t itself a new act, some wonder if Trump’s tone and rhetoric will inspire fear and intimidation at polling places.

Speaking with voters at the Islamic Center of Rochester, many had heard about these claims, but were not intimidated by them.

Sareer Fazili is the President of the Islamic Center and said at this point, these comments were no surprise.

"Whether he was attacking minorities, or now attacking the essence of the electoral and judicial system, it doesn't make us feel any different than he has made the whole country feel, and it’s merely disappointed."

Fazili said it is his responsibility as an American citizen to vote.

"Whether my vote means anything or it doesn’t mean anything, it is among the most dearly held things for any American citizen, whether they were born and raised here or that they left their homes and came here and adopted America. That right is inalienable, and it’s nothing that people are going to give up or sacrifice for any reason."

Rauf Bawany is on the Council of Trustees for the Islamic Center and stands by the current voting process.

"This is the best system that we have. And we should support and promote this system, because through this system we are heard. So that matters to us."

He says as a community, voting is a way to engage in the process.

"We have to be a part of the system, that is why it is important. Because Muslims should not shy out, but be part of the society, be part of all the well-being that is done for us, as well as for the others."

Interim Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union Iman Abid said she isn’t personally concerned, but she hopes people aren’t hesitant to vote after hearing these claims.

"I'm uncomfortable, knowing while I may not wear a hijab or maybe I don't look "non white," I think for everybody else, they may feel intimidated. And if they're hearing about this, it could actually intimidate them enough not to get to the voting booth."

Abid is working to set up monitors at polling places across Monroe County.

"Just to make sure that nobody leaves that voting booth without getting a chance to vote. So no intimidators will be at the voting booth, hopefully at the ones that we'll be at."