WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is hiring Nasrina Bargzie to lead outreach to Muslim and Arab voters, according to a campaign official who first shared details of the plan with NBC News — a move focused on a key constituency that soured President Joe Biden on his support for Israel.
Bargzie worked in Harris’ White House office until July as a policy adviser on Muslim, Arab and Gaza-related issues, as well as reproductive rights, voting and democracy, the campaign manager said. It will cover the same broad portfolio as the campaign.
Harris has faced interruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters at recent rallies, and Democrats are preparing for large protests at the Democratic National Convention next week in Chicago. Some Muslim groups, who have criticized Biden’s policies toward Israel and the Middle East, maintain that Harris is an extension of his positions. But other Muslim leaders said Harris is more sympathetic than Biden to the number of civilians killed in Gaza and that she is the better candidate to support in the race.
Bargzie will focus on talking to Muslim and Arab communities as voters wait to see whether Harris will present a different approach to the Middle East and Israel than Biden.
“I am honored to continue my work for the Vice President, advising on a range of critical issues in this election, from democracy and reproductive rights to Muslim and Arab outreach,” Bargzie said in a statement the campaign shared 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 realize these goals and fulfill the promise of America.”
Several people who knew Bargzie praised her in interviews.
“I have had the privilege of knowing Nasrina for more than 20 years, since we studied together at Berkeley Law School, and worked closely with her at the White House,” said Mazen Basrawi, who was the White House liaison to the administration. Muslim. community until June. “Nasrina is an extraordinarily capable advocate who understands, from her own lived experience, the trauma of war and displacement. I am confident that she will do an incredible job reaching Arab and Muslim communities across the US.”
Bargzie was a refugee, born in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and lived in Pakistan for three years before her family was accepted into the American refugee resettlement program in 1985.
Josh Hsu, who was Harris’s chief legal counsel at the White House, praised the role Bargzie will play, saying, “The campaign will greatly benefit from her continued work in these areas for the vice president.”
Hala Hijazi, a longtime San Francisco leader on issues affecting Muslim and Arab communities who now sits on the campaign’s national finance committee, added her praise. “She always leans in and approaches the most difficult and sensitive issues with integrity and fairness in mind,” Hijazi said. “She has always played a key role in ensuring that communities without a voice and a seat at the table are heard and included.”
Harris faced criticism after responding to a group of pro-Palestinian protesters at a rally in Detroit last week, saying: “I’m here because we believe in democracy. Everyone’s voice is important. …But I’m speaking now. I’m talking now.
As the protests continued, Harris’ tone became more blunt. “You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say so. Otherwise, I’ll say it,” Harris said, aided by a crowd of several thousand participants chanting “Kamala” to drown out the protests. campaign soon escorted protesters out of the venue.
Days later, at a rally in Arizona, Harris was once again interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. She responded differently and received lots of applause. “I have been clear: now is the time to reach a ceasefire agreement and conclude the hostage agreement,” she said. “Now is the time. And the president and I are working around the clock every day to complete the ceasefire agreement and bring the hostages home. So I respect your voice, but we are here now to talk about this race in 2024.”
After the rally in Arizona, a national Muslim group dubbed Abandon Biden accused Harris of using “empty rhetoric.” “Harris’ stated and repeated position on a ceasefire and hostage agreement with Israel is the same line that the Biden-Harris administration has repeated across departments for eleven months. Furthermore, Harris offered nothing more than 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 has declared itself “uncommitted” to Biden’s reelection bid, announced this month that it was supporting Harris. It is believed to be the first uncommitted Muslim group in the camp to publicly support it.
Salima Suswell, founder and chief executive of the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund, praised Harris. “She has shown more sympathy for the people of Gaza than President Biden and former President Donald Trump,” Suswell said. “She has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and I believe she has also expressed empathy for civilian life and has been very thoughtful when it comes to getting help to the people of Gaza.”
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
