The Muslim candidate for the US Senate from Michigan, Abdulrahman al-Siddiq, responded to President Donald Trump's mockery of his name, affirming that he will win the election and assume the position as "Senator Muhammad." This came during an election rally in Michigan on Monday, where al-Siddiq criticized Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric and his repeated mockery of his name.
Trump uses the name "Muhammad" when referring to al-Siddiq, instead of his known name "Abdulrahman," as a shortening of Abdulrahman. The Democratic candidate stated that if he wins the midterm congressional elections scheduled for November 3, the US President will be forced to address him by the title "Senator."
For his part, al-Siddiq considered that Trump feels personal annoyance at his Muslim name, but does not feel the same annoyance when the same name is borne by Saudis who fund the investment fund of his son-in-law, or by Qataris who provided him with a private jet worth 400 million dollars. He continued that he does not care about how Trump pronounces his name, adding: "I don't even care if he remembers my full name, because after November he can call me Senator. I will be Senator Muhammad to you, my brother."
Abdulrahman al-Siddiq, of Egyptian origin, won the primary elections held on August 5 last year to select the Democratic Party candidate for the US Senate from Michigan in the midterm elections. Al-Siddiq defeated his opponent, US House of Representatives member Haley Stevens, to become the Democrats' candidate for the seat. American media interpreted Trump's repeated mockery of al-Siddiq's name during election events as an "attack on his Muslim identity."
Trump accused the Democratic candidate of being "sympathetic to terrorists" and a "jihadist," and called him "Muhammad al-Siddiq." If elected, al-Siddiq will become the first American Muslim to serve in the US Senate.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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