WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is hiring Nasrina Bargzie to target Muslim and Arab voters, said a campaign official who first shared details of the plan with NBC News – a move focused on a key constituency that went for President Joe Biden. About supporting Israel.
Bargzie worked in Harris’ White House office until July as a policy adviser on Muslim, Arab and Gaza issues, as well as reproductive rights, voting and democracy, the campaign official said. He covers the same wide portfolio in the campaign.
Harris has had to interrupt pro-Palestinian protesters at recent rallies, and Democrats are preparing for large demonstrations at the Democratic National Convention next week in Chicago. Some Muslim groups that have criticized Biden’s policies on Israel and the Middle East have seen Harris as an extension of their positions. But other Muslim leaders have said Harris is more sympathetic than Biden to the civilian death toll in Gaza and that he is the best candidate to support in the race.
Bargzie will focus on speaking to the Muslim and Arab communities as voters wait to see if Harris will present a different approach to the Middle East and Israel than Biden.
“I am honored to continue my work with the vice president to advise on several critical issues in this election, from democracy and reproductive rights to reaching out to Muslims and Arabs,” Bargzie said in a statement shared by the campaign with NBC News. “I know the vice president is fundamentally committed to freedom, justice and peace — and we will work with Americans across the country to help achieve those goals and fulfill the American promise.”
Several people who knew Bargzie praised him in interviews.
“I have had the privilege of knowing Nasrin for more than 20 years, since we were together at Berkeley Law School, and I worked closely with her in the White House,” said Mazen Basrawi, who was the White House liaison to Muslims. community until June. “Nasrina is an exceptionally qualified advocate who understands the trauma of war and refugees from her own life. I’m sure he will do an incredible job reaching out to Arab and Muslim communities across the United States.”
A refugee himself, Bargzie was born in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and lived in Pakistan for three years before his family was accepted into America’s refugee resettlement program in 1985.
Josh Hsu, who was Harris’ chief legal adviser in the White House, praised Bargzie’s role, saying, “The campaign will greatly benefit from his continued work in these areas for the vice president.”
Hala Hijazi, a longtime San Francisco leader on issues affecting the Muslim and Arab communities who now serves on the campaign’s national finance committee, added praise. “He always leans in and deals with the most difficult and sensitive issues with honesty and fairness,” Hijazi said. “He has always played an integral role in ensuring that communities without a voice and without seats at the table are heard and included.”
Harris has faced criticism after responding to a group of pro-Palestinian protesters at a rally in Detroit last week by saying, “I’m here because we believe in democracy. Everyone’s voice matters. … But I’m speaking now. I’m speaking now.”
As the protests continued, Harris’s tone grew stronger. “You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, say so. Otherwise, I’ll talk,” Harris said, helped by several thousand attendees who chanted “Horrible” to quell the protests. Campaign staff soon escorted the protesters away from the venue.
Days later, at a rally in Arizona, Harris was again interrupted by Palestinian protesters. He answered differently and received loud applause. “I’ve been clear: now is the time to have a cease-fire agreement and get a hostage deal done,” he said. “Now is the time. And the president and I are working around the clock every day to get a cease-fire agreement done and to bring the hostages home. So I respect your vote, but we’re here now to talk about this race in 2024.
After the Arizona rally, a national Muslim group called Abandon Biden accused Harris of using “empty rhetoric.” “Harris’ stated and repeated position on the cease-fire and the Israeli hostage agreement is the same line that the Biden-Harris administration has parroted in every department for eleven months. Moreover, Harris has offered nothing but this tired platitude,” the group said in a statement Monday.
But other Muslim leaders disagree.
The Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund, a national Muslim organization that had declared itself “uncommitted” to Biden’s re-election bid, announced this month that it was endorsing Harris. It is believed to be the first Muslim group in the non-aligned camp to publicly support him.
Salima Suswell, founder and CEO of the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund, praised Harris. “He has shown more compassion for the people of Gaza than both President Biden and former President Donald Trump,” Suswell said. “He has repeatedly called for a ceasefire, and I believe he has also expressed empathy for civilian life and been very caring in getting aid to the people of Gaza.”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
