University of Windsor law students are working on rallying the city’s Muslim population to vote in the upcoming federal election later this month, CBC reported.
“I’ve always kind of been interested in politics and then engaging with the community. I found this to be a good opportunity to kind of mix both of my passions,” third-year law student Aadil Nathani said.
Nathani and second-year law student Mariam Rajabali are part of the Canadian-Muslim Vote non-profit.
The group bills itself as a “national, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization that aims to increase civic engagement of Canadian Muslims through community outreach and education.”
On Saturday, the group held a town hall at the Windsor Islamic Association. Members of the community as well as local riding candidates attended the event.
Third-year University of Windsor law student Aadil Nathani says he was inspired to join Canadian-Muslim Vote in 2017. (Tahmina Aziz/CBC)
They set a goal to connect with Muslim voters in Windsor to provide details about local candidates and local issues. Moreover, they will also encourage constituents to go to the polls.
“This campaign is not just about voting,” Rajabali said.
“It’s actually about being informed when you’re voting. We’re trying to make sure that Muslims are aware of the issues of the local candidates and what they stand for and the platforms as well.”
Nathani explained that all of that information has been distilled into six key issues pertinent to the Windsor community. This includes Islamophobia, Indigenous rights, the national opioid crisis, and climate change.
After all, this information will be used to create an infographic and plastered across the city.
“Everyone, Muslim or not, can make an informed decision at advanced polling dates next week or at the polls on October 21,” he said.
Second-year University of Windsor law student Mariam Rajabli. (Tahmina Aziz/CBC)
Muslim Votes
Muslims are the fastest-growing religious community in Canada, according to the country’s statistical agency, Statistics Canada.
Historically, Canada’s Muslim population increased by 82 percent over the past decade – from about 579,000 in 2001 to more than 1 million in 2011.
Muslims represent 3.2 percent of Canada’s total population.
Approximately 79 percent of Canadian Muslims voted in the 2015 federal election. Muslim voter turnout was as high as 88 percent in some ridings.
The 2019 Canadian federal election is scheduled to take place on October 21, 2019, to elect members of the House of Commons to the 43rd Canadian Parliament.
Earlier, Governor General Julie Payette dissolved the 42nd Parliament on September 11, 2019.
Basically, the incumbent Liberals attempt to retain the majority they won in the 2015 election. The Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party will contest the in-power, Liberal government.