US election shows importance of rejecting racial prejudice, says PM

 Anwar Ibrahim cites Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan as an example of how political participation can transcend racial and religious differences.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan demonstrated how rejecting racial prejudice could become a powerful message for political change. (Bernama pic)

MELAKA:

The historic election of the first Muslim to the US Senate should serve as a lesson for all on the importance of rejecting racial prejudice and religious discrimination, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

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 victory 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 US 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 the Klebang constituency at Taman Bukit Rambai here.

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. - FMT