By Dr. Tayyab Yunus
Executive Director, South Florida Muslim Federation
I was born and raised in Florida. I am an American Muslim, and so are my children. To me, Florida is the best state in the union. People come from around the world to experience what we have here, and many choose to stay, raise families, and build their futures. I am proud to call this place home.
Islam is an American religion. It is the faith of American families who teach in our schools, care for our patients, build businesses, and serve our communities. It is part of this country’s life and part of its future.
Voting is an American responsibility. And that makes voting an American Muslim responsibility.
Our faith gives that responsibility deeper meaning. The Qur’an calls us to stand firmly for justice, even when it challenges our own interests, and to remain fair toward people with whom we disagree (4:135; 5:8). These principles should guide how we live, how we serve, and how we participate in public life. For me, voting is one practical way to put them into action.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also taught that each of us is a guardian, accountable for those entrusted to our care. That teaching invites us to think seriously about our responsibilities toward our families, our neighbors, and the future we are building together.
For Muslim Americans, the stakes are real. In ISPU’s 2025 national survey, 63 percent of Muslim respondents reported experiencing religious discrimination during the preceding year. Addressing Islamophobia requires education, relationships, advocacy, and sustained civic engagement. Voting gives us a voice in choosing the people entrusted with public authority and protecting everyone’s rights.
We should approach that choice thoughtfully. Read about the candidates. Ask questions. Consider their honesty, competence, fairness, and record of service. Public leadership is a serious responsibility, and we should expect those who hold it to listen, act with integrity, and serve the whole community.
Those expectations reach into everyday life. Our families need good schools, safe neighborhoods, economic opportunity, and reliable public services. Public budgets help determine which needs receive attention and which programs receive support. Our community’s experiences deserve to be heard when those decisions are made. Participation helps us communicate those needs and advocate for fair access to resources.
The same responsibility extends to our neighbors. A family struggling to find housing, a senior who needs assistance, or a child who feels unsafe at school deserves our concern regardless of faith. Our commitment to justice should be broad enough to embrace them all.
Our children are watching how we exercise that responsibility. I want them to see us become informed, make thoughtful choices, treat people with respect, and contribute to the communities they will inherit. I want them to understand that being an American Muslim carries a responsibility to help this country live up to its highest ideals.
That work continues after Election Day. We need to attend public meetings, communicate with elected officials, build relationships, and follow through on the concerns we raise.
If you are eligible and registered and have not yet voted, make a plan to cast your ballot. Florida’s Election Day is November 3, 2026. You can find official voting information through the Florida Division of Elections, or if you are in South Florida, click here for local voting resources.
I love Florida, and I want our children to inherit a state that gives them every reason to love it, too. This is our home. This is our country. As American Muslims, helping shape its future is our responsibility.
