DETROIT: Two men move slowly through the Detroit International Airport terminal, carrying their mops as they enter bathrooms and do their duty to clean. Speaking in Arabic the two have only one topic on their mind: the United State presidential election this Tuesday. Surprisingly, however, they are adamant that sitting President Barack Obama is not their leader and they are hoping for a change, in Mormon Republican Mitt Romney. Akram, a 37-year-old originally from Egypt and who came to the US 14-years ago, told Bikyamasr.com that “Obama has failed to live up to his calls for change and hope. I have none now.” For him, and his colleague Mohamed, of Lebanese ancestry, they believe Obama has failed to engage the Muslim community and despite ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, “is not speaking for us as Muslims.” But surprisingly, they are positive about Romney, highlighting his business background and living the American dream. “I believe what Mitt says about America and I think he is more what we as a people should be like,” Mohamed said, without giving specifics. Even more bewildering to some, it comes after one Muslim told The Washington Post, “Muslims need tough love, not soft coddling to get over their illusions of Islamist fantasies." The two airport workers agreed with Ahmed Vanya, an engineer in San Jose, California, who will vote for Romney, in the October 30 article. They believe Romney gives a new direction to America. And they aren't the only Muslims in America losing faith with Obama. New polls have shown that support of Muslim voters for Obama, who is seeking re-election on November 6, has dropped. In 2008, 9 of every 10 American Muslim voters supported the election of Obama. But the percentage has dropped as many Muslims have grown disenchanted with the Democratic leader, OnIslam reported. An opinion poll last week by an independent research firm on behalf of the umbrella Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) found that 68% of Muslim voters support Obama. Around 7 percent of respondents said they will vote for Republican challenger Romney; more than triple the 2.2 percent of Muslims who voted for Republican nominee John McCain in 2008. The poll also found that 25 percent of registered Muslim voters are still undecided to whom they would vote. For the two Detroit workers, they believe Romney gives the Muslim community direction and a better overall future. “We believe that the Republicans are the best for the economy and our future as Americans. Not Obama and his failure to do anything,” said Akram. But when asked about what health care they currently have, they do offer praise for the current administration's efforts, but for them, it is too little to secure their vote.
