Launch of The Muslim Vote
On 1 July 2024 an unnamed spokesperson for The Muslim Vote told the ABC that the "grassroots" campaign group was formed to "mobilise the Muslim community to vote as a bloc in the next federal election, predominantly on the issue of justice in Palestine". The ABC reported that it "appears to be linked to Muslim Votes Matter, an entity registered with the Australian Tax Office since February". The spokesperson claimed over 2,000 volunteers and named target seats: Blaxland, Watson, McMahon and Werriwa.
On 4 July 2024 the ABC named Sheikh Wesam Charkawi as "one of its convenors". It reported that the campaign "began last year in the aftermath of the October 7 attack on Israel". Charkawi said The Muslim Vote was not a political party, and said: "You can't be neutral on a genocide." The Guardian reported that the group "denies being a political party and says it does not intend to become one". The group's own website says the same: "The Muslim Vote is not a political party, and it does not intend to become one in the future."
The SMH (1 Mar 2025) referred to "the November launch of The Muslim Vote". It reported that activist Assala Sayara was "a keynote speaker" there, and that "Sayara does not hold a formal position" in the movement.
At the 3 May 2025 federal election, its endorsed independents in Blaxland (Ahmed Ouf) and Watson (Ziad Basyouny) won large primary votes, but Labor held both seats (ABC, 9 May 2025). This should not be confused with Muslim Votes Matter, a separate group that launched its national campaign on 1 Sep 2024 (Guardian).
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