Many American Muslims are deeply critical of President Biden's stance on the Israel-Hamas war raging in Gaza. To win the election, Kamala Harris needs their support. DW's Ines Pohl reports from one of the US' largest Arab-American communities in Dearborn, Michigan.
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00:00These sweets offer a taste of shared tradition for the Arab-American community here.
00:07Food is the most passionate thing that you can offer to people.
00:14Khadar Masri runs Masri Sweets, one of the most popular bakeries in Dearborn, Michigan, founded more than 30 years ago.
00:23With many of his 25 employees having roots and family in the Middle East, the war in Gaza is very present in daily conversations.
00:33Of course it angers us, just like it upsets the Ukrainians from being invaded by the Russians.
00:42When Biden was running, I was going to hold back, I'm not electing this year.
00:49His overall view about supplying and supporting the killing of innocent, decent people.
00:59When Kamala came into the picture, it changed the vision and it changed the hope.
01:08I will vote for her.
01:10His customers, however, have mixed feelings about the Democratic presidential candidate.
01:16She thinks she got the community behind her, but I doubt that.
01:21She has to do more so the community can trust them.
01:26I'm reserving the right to decide once they go through the debate that they're going to have.
01:33Dearborn, Michigan, has become the largest city with an Arab majority in the U.S., with around 55% of its population claiming Middle Eastern or North African roots.
01:46Though the Arab-American community is both Muslim and Christian, the Islamic center draws a huge crowd for Friday prayer.
01:55It is an orthodox mosque where men and women worship in separate areas.
02:00There are Muslim brothers out there, so of course they're always in our prayers.
02:04And I'm originally from Lebanon, so they're our neighbors.
02:08Sufian Napan, the executive director of the Islamic center, knows the community well.
02:14The community is very sad and very mad.
02:18Sad for the killing of their brothers and sisters in Palestine.
02:23And also mad because, I mean, we fund our tax money, fund the killing of our families.
02:30She might have a chance. I think the majority is thinking that they are playing games.
02:36They are giving us promises and giving the Israeli weapons.
02:42Many here share this sentiment.
02:45Donald Trump has said what he would do and who he is.
02:50The Democrats, on the other hand, are inconsistent.
02:53They'll say we understand the difficulties that are going on.
02:59And we're trying, but we really can't do anything.
03:03And that, in reality, you know and I know, is untrue.
03:07Kamala Harris has upended the presidential race and now has an edge in the polls.
03:12But here on the ground in Michigan, the race is far from over.