Australian Muslims mobilize to reshape political influence in May 3 election

Pro-Palestinian sentiment and local grievances fuel nationwide push for electoral change

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Australian Muslims are emerging as a growing political force ahead of the country’s federal election on May 3, driven by mounting frustration over government inaction on international and domestic concerns.

Advocacy groups like Muslim Votes Matter (MVM) and The Muslim Vote are leading a grassroots campaign to energize over 650,000 eligible Muslim voters, with activists citing the war in Gaza as a catalyst for political mobilization, reported The Guardian.

“This is just the beginning,” said Ahmed Ouf, a Muslim independent candidate running in Calwell, Victoria. “We’re not just participating — we’re creating a permanent political voice.”

The campaign seeks to challenge the status quo in key electorates with significant Muslim populations such as Watson, Blaxland, and Calwell — long considered Labor strongholds. 

Independent Muslim candidates Ziad Basyouny, Ouf, and Samim Moslih are contesting those seats, hoping to shift political dynamics through community-backed engagement.

“Enough is enough. We’re sick of being taken for granted,” said Az Fahmi, a campaign volunteer in Watson and former Labor supporter. “Now our community is stepping up and demanding change.”

The movement is not confined to western Sydney. In Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, MVM is targeting seats including Bruce, Wills, Cowan, and Moreton. 

According to national spokesperson Ghaith Krayem, the group’s booth-level data analysis from past elections is helping guide campaign strategy.

Pro-Palestinian advocacy has become a rallying point, but it is not the sole issue uniting Muslim voters. Concerns over healthcare, housing, cost of living, and rising Islamophobia have deepened calls for representation.

“Gaza was the spark, but the sentiment was always there,” Krayem said. “We’ve been politically silenced for too long.”

Nora Amath, CEO of Islamophobia Register Australia, said the government’s failure to address anti-Muslim hate is pushing voters to reconsider old loyalties. “The election is a test. Will our leaders finally treat Islamophobia as the critical issue it is?”

Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni, whose group launched the “Vote with Palestine” campaign, said a shift in political engagement was inevitable. “Palestine is a vote winner,” he said. “Australians understand the underdog.”

With a median age of 28, the Muslim community skews younger than the national average, providing a base for long-term political change.

“The real work starts after the election,” Krayem said. “We’re here to stay, and the political establishment has to reckon with that.”

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