'This should be a wake-up call': Arab and Muslim Americans react to Donald Trump's win

With a US presidential election between Donald Trump who issued a Muslim ban as president and Kamala Harris, who has served the last four years as the vice president of Joe Biden, whose administration has supported Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, many felt they were left without a good option.

"This should be a wake-up call for the Democratic Party. They should have had more credibility in connecting with regular Americans and working families so that people feel like they're respected," said Wa'el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage, a Muslim voting advocacy group that endorsed Harris, though largely because they saw her as a better alternative to Trump.

He added that he found the Democrats' campaign to be "too cautious and too scripted."

At the same time, he points to many voters from these communities who chose Trump who aligned themselves with white men over social policies He noted that even with high numbers of Arabs and Muslims breaking for Trump, they account for only a small fraction of his margins of victory in the major swing states, including Michigan.

The Dearborn-based American Human Rights Council, which endorsed Green Party candidate Jill Stein, issued a statement the day after the election congratulating Trump and expressing hope that he would help put an end to the war in Gaza, particularly given his outreach to the communities during his campaign.

"Even though there is a history of disappointments, we can't be but optimistic and hopeful," said Imad Hamad, AHRC executive director, in a public statement. "Mr Trump reached out to the Muslim and Arab communities with promises to end the horrible violence and carnage in the Middle East, we hope he delivers on these promises."

"The fact that the election is over does not mean it is time to rest, it is time to remain engaged and to make sure President Trump delivers on his promises," he added.

Issuing a more defiant message, ANAR, an Afghan immigrant organisation, issued a statement, saying, "We recognise the fear and uncertainty that another Trump administration brings, given his history of abhorrent anti-immigrant policies and the plans that his campaign has already shared, including ones that specifically target our community. Today’s results come after months of campaigns spewing xenophobia and racism, and support for multiple genocides."

"We also recognise that our communities are resilient and resourceful. We call on people to stand with us in this ongoing fight, because change comes when we stand together, refuse to give in to despair, and remember not to wait for politicians who will never rescue us," ANAR's statement continued. 

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Youth Movement held demonstrations in different cities across the US on Wednesday, vowing to expand their movement by partnering with other communities.

"For the last year, the Palestine Youth Movement has mobilised millions of people across the country in the fight for Palestinian liberation," the group said in a statement. "Today, we vow to expand that fight, to join forces with movements across the country in the fight against American violence both abroad and at home."

The group emphasised building a mass movement around a shared future as they turn their attention to a new administration.