Harris’ campaign adds top adviser to lead outreach to Muslim and Arab voters

 

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 on President Joe Biden over his support of 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 official said. She will cover the same broad portfolio on the campaign.

Harris has faced interruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters at recent rallies, and Democrats are bracing for large protests at the Democratic National Convention next week in Chicago. Some Muslim groups, who have been critical of Biden’s policies regarding Israel and the Middle East, have maintained Harris is an extension of his stances. But other Muslim leaders have said that Harris is more sympathetic than Biden to the civilian death toll in Gaza and that she is the best candidate to support in the race.

Bargzie will focus on talking to Muslim and Arab communities as voters wait to see whether Harris will lay out a different approach to the Middle East and Israel from Biden’s.

“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 those goals and fulfill the promise of America.”

Several people who have known Bargzie praised her in interviews.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Nasrina for over 20 years now, since we were at Berkeley Law School together, and I worked closely with her at the White House,” said Mazen Basrawi, who was the White House liaison to the Muslim community until June. “Nasrina is an extraordinarily capable advocate who understands from her own life experience the trauma of war and displacement. I am sure she will do an amazing job reaching out to Arab and Muslim communities across the U.S.”

Bargzie was a refugee herself, born in Kandahar, Afghanistan, she lived in Pakistan for three years before her family was accepted in 1985 into America’s Refugee Resettlement program.

Josh Hsu, who was Harris’ chief legal adviser in the White House, praised the role Bargzie will fill, saying, “The campaign will benefit greatly 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 is now on the campaign’s national finance committee, added her praise. “She always leans in and tackles the most difficult and sensitive issues with integrity and justice in mind,” Hijazi said. “She has always played an integral role in ensuring that communities without a voice and without seats at tables are heard and included.”

Harris has faced criticism after she responded 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 am speaking now. I am speaking now.”

As the protests continued, Harris’ tone grew more forceful. “You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking,” Harris said, aided by a crowd of several thousand attendees who chanted “Kamala” to drown out the protests. Campaign staffers soon escorted the 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 got loud applause. “I have been clear: Now is the time to get a cease-fire deal and get the hostage deal done,” she said. “Now is the time. And the president and I are working around the clock every day to get that cease-fire deal done and bring the hostages home. So I respect your voices, but we are here to now talk about this race in 2024.”

After the Arizona rally, a national Muslim group dubbed Abandon Biden accused Harris of using “empty rhetoric.” “Harris’s stated and repeated position on a ceasefire and Israeli hostage deal is the same line the Biden-Harris administration has parroted across every department for eleven months. Additionally, Harris has 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 had declared itself “uncommitted” on Biden’s re-election bid, announced this month it was endorsing Harris. It’s believed to be the first Muslim group in the uncommitted camp to publicly back her.

Salima Suswell, the founder and chief executive of the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund, praised Harris. “She has shown more sympathy towards the people of Gaza than both President Biden and former President Donald Trump,” Suswell said. “She has repeatedly called for a cease-fire, and I believe she has also expressed empathy towards civilian life and has been very caring as it relates to getting aid to the people of Gaza.”

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This article was originally published on NBCNews.com