2. Community-Driven Content Outperforms Corporate Messaging
Raw, grassroots content—whether from local influencers, imams, or everyday Muslims—engages more effectively than polished ads. Highlighting real voices and lived experiences builds credibility and emotional resonance.

3. Localized, Culturally Relevant Messaging Is Essential
The global Muslim market is vast and diverse. Campaigns must go beyond generic representation and invest in hyper-localized, culturally nuanced strategies to effectively connect with different segments of the Muslim audience.

In the recent Ad Age profile on New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, we see how authentic, political storytelling on social media can turn passive followers into highly engaged communities. While Mamdani’s feed isn’t about selling products, his approach to narrative-building offers critical lessons for brands looking to authentically connect with niche audiences—especially Muslim consumers.

Here’s what brands can learn from the rise of sociopolitical storytelling—and how you can apply it to your next Muslim-focused ad campaign.

 1. Tap Into Shared Values
Mamdani’s posts focus on real-life community concerns: housing, justice, identity, and belonging. Muslim audiences are similarly values-driven, with strong preferences for brands that align with their faith, ethics, and social justice principles.

According to a 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer report, 53% of consumers believe brands must take a stand on at least one societal issue. For Muslim consumers, topics like Islamophobia, halal ethics, and diversity in advertising are especially resonant.

 2. Authenticity Drives Higher Engagement
Mamdani’s use of unfiltered, community-centered content mirrors a growing digital trend: people engage more with raw, relatable narratives than polished corporate ads.

In fact, studies show that user-generated content (UGC) delivers 6.9x higher engagement than brand-generated content. For Muslim audiences, this means leveraging authentic voices—whether that’s a local imam, a modest fashion influencer, or an everyday community member—can outperform traditional ad formats.

 3. Community Voices Over Corporate Messaging
One of Mamdani’s greatest strengths is letting the community speak for itself—through shared testimonials, grassroots videos, and localized storytelling.

Similarly, influencer and peer-to-peer marketing has shown to be more effective in driving brand trust. Research from Nielsen reports that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from individuals (even if they don’t know them) over branded content.

 4. Political Narrative Drives Emotional ROI
Mamdani’s content is emotionally charged—and that emotion translates to engagement. For brands, that emotional connection matters too.

According to a study by Unruly, emotionally driven ads generate a 23% uplift in sales compared to non-emotional ones. Telling real stories about Muslim communities—whether addressing charity work during Ramadan or showcasing Muslim business owners—can build that crucial emotional link.

 5. Hyper-Local and Hyper-Relevant Messaging Wins
Mamdani’s district-focused content works because it’s specific. Muslim audiences are diverse—what resonates with a Muslim millennial in London might not work for a halal consumer in Jakarta.

The global Muslim consumer market exceeds $2 trillion, and culturally nuanced messaging has been shown to dramatically improve ad performance.

For brands, that means investing in hyper-localized, culturally aware messaging—not one-size-fits-all campaigns.

 Take Action: Let Muslim Ad Network Help You Get It Right
Sociopolitical storytelling isn’t about politics—it’s about authenticity, values, and giving a platform to real community voices. If you’re serious about engaging Muslim audiences in a way that feels relevant and respectful, Muslim Ad Network can help you craft data-driven, culturally attuned campaigns that resonate.

 Contact us today to learn how we can help your brand tell stories that matter—and drive real engagement with Muslim consumers worldwide.

The post When Political Feeds Become Marketing Gold: What Brands Can Learn from Sociopolitical Storytelling appeared first on Muslim Ad Network.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Muslim Market is Booming: With a projected economic impact of $3.2 trillion by 2024, Muslim consumers are a rapidly growing audience, especially in industries like fashion, finance, and tech.
2. Cultural Sensitivity is Key: Brands that resonate prioritize authenticity, avoiding stereotypes and creating campaigns around key Islamic dates like Ramadan and Eid for higher engagement.
3. Mobile and Social Media First: Muslim consumers, especially younger ones, are highly active on mobile and social platforms like Instagram and TikTok, making mobile-first, social-centric strategies essential for reaching this audience.

In the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the analysis of voting patterns reveals a stark reality: white voters constituted the majority, while representation from ethnic minority groups, including Arab and Muslim voters, fell below expected levels. This disparity, highlighted in recent exit polls from The Washington Post (link), underscores a significant gap in the Democratic campaign’s strategy and outreach.

Image Credit: Washington Post

The Power of the Ethnic Minority Vote

The 2024 election emphasized a recurring issue: underestimating or taking for granted the votes of minority communities can have profound consequences. Reports from UnHerd (link) and insights from The New York Times (link) suggest that Kamala Harris’s campaign may have relied too heavily on assumed loyalty from ethnic minority voters, without sufficiently engaging these groups on issues that resonate with them. This oversight contributed to a drop in turnout among these communities, despite their potential to tip the scales in tightly contested states.

The Data Tells a Clear Story

Exit polls indicate that white voters were the predominant participants in the 2024 election. This reinforced their pivotal role in the outcome, while lower turnout rates among Muslim and Arab voters, along with other ethnic minorities, showed a disconnect between the Democratic platform and the concerns of these groups (France24). Cracks in the anti-Trump coalition became evident, as the campaign failed to mobilize certain demographics that had previously been crucial to Democratic successes.

Could It Have Made a Difference?

Given that many battleground states were decided by narrow margins, increased participation from underrepresented voters could have been transformative. The numbers suggest that targeted outreach—showing genuine commitment to issues affecting Muslim, Arab, and other minority communities—might have shifted enough support to impact the final results. As noted by The New York Times (link), a more robust engagement strategy could have prevented key losses that hinged on small vote differentials.

Lessons for the Future

The 2024 election underscores a critical takeaway for future campaigns: inclusive and culturally attuned outreach must be at the core of any strategy aiming to mobilize underrepresented communities, such as Muslim voters. This election served as a stark reminder that reliance on assumed loyalty or surface-level engagement is insufficient. To build trust and active support, candidates must adopt a comprehensive approach that resonates deeply with these communities.

Key Lessons for Democratic Candidates:

1. Prioritize Authentic Engagement: Campaigns need to show genuine interest in the issues that matter most to Muslim and Arab communities. This involves listening, collaborating with local and religious leaders, and aligning campaign promises with the cultural and social values of these voters. As outlined in our strategic approach, authenticity is key in building lasting trust. 
2. Develop Culturally Relevant Messaging: Campaigns must communicate in a way that cuts through the noise and speaks directly to the Muslim community’s lived experiences. This requires crafting messages that reflect their concerns, from domestic policies to international issues affecting the Muslim world. Campaigns that ignore these aspects risk appearing out of touch, leading to disengagement. 
3. Leverage Targeted Media Platforms: Utilizing media platforms that have strong connections with the Muslim community, such as Muslim Ad Network, is essential. These platforms have the expertise to develop and distribute culturally sensitive and relevant content, ensuring that campaign messages are seen by the right audiences. By integrating the services of Muslim Ad Network, candidates can effectively reach Muslim voters through tailored ads that resonate with their values and beliefs.
4. Partner with Grassroots Organizations: Strong partnerships with local and national Muslim organizations can help amplify voter mobilization efforts. These organizations have the trust of the community and can be instrumental in boosting turnout through community events, voter education, and advocacy.

Mobilize Your Outreach Strategy

To truly harness the potential of the Muslim vote in future elections, campaigns must commit to these lessons and strategies. For Democratic candidates seeking to strengthen their outreach and ensure no community is overlooked, using targeted solutions like those provided by Muslim Ad Network is a powerful step forward. With culturally relevant advertising and in-depth knowledge of the Muslim consumer base, campaigns can craft impactful and persuasive messaging that motivates action.

In conclusion, the 2024 election provides valuable lessons for those aiming to mobilize the Muslim community: address their concerns, communicate effectively, and partner with organizations that understand their needs. By doing so, Muslim voters can play a pivotal role in shaping election outcomes. Remember, for those participating, your vote is a form of ijtihaad—an effort towards what you believe is right. 

As the Quran (3:26) reminds us:

“Say: ‘O Allah! Lord of Power (And Rule), Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: In Thy hand is all good. Verily, over all things Thou hast power.'”

This is a reminder that while we do our part, the outcome is ultimately in the hands of Allah SWT.

The post Reflecting on Missed Opportunities – How Inclusive Outreach Could Have Changed the 2024 Election Outcome appeared first on Muslim Ad Network.

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the Democratic field is wide open following President Biden’s decision not to seek re-election. With the race heating up, it’s crucial for Democratic candidates to build relationships with key voting blocs, including Muslim Americans. A growing and diverse population, Muslim voters can be decisive, particularly in battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. But to secure their votes, candidates must do more than simply address their policy concerns—they need to overcome barriers to participation and cut through the noise of political messaging.

Get as Many Muslims as Possible to Accept Voting as Permissible

One critical element of engaging Muslim voters is addressing the misconception that voting might be impermissible (haram) under Islamic law. Many Muslims follow the principles of Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), which governs their daily decisions, including political participation.

According to Dr. Wael Hamza, Fiqh is “our understanding and knowledge of Allah’s law.” Within this framework, a growing consensus among Islamic scholars asserts that voting can be Halal (permissible) because it serves a greater good: helping to avert hardship and prevent tyranny. This is particularly true in a political landscape where Muslim Americans may face targeted policies if they do not participate in elections.

Campaigns must recognize this dynamic and work with organizations like Emgage and CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), which are already addressing these concerns. By framing voting as a way to protect civil rights and counteract Islamophobia, Democratic candidates can encourage more Muslim Americans to participate in the 2024 election. Emgage, for example, has been actively working to educate and mobilize Muslim voters, providing religious and legal arguments that voting is both a civic duty and a religiously permissible act in the context of American democracy.

Cutting Through the Noise to Reach Muslim Voters

The challenge in engaging Muslim voters is not just about addressing Fiqh concerns but also breaking through the overwhelming volume of political messaging. Like many other demographics, Muslim voters are inundated with political ads and information, making it difficult for campaigns to stand out.

To cut through the noise, candidates need to adopt tailored, culturally-sensitive marketing strategies. In our previous article, we discussed how effective outreach to Muslim consumers requires a clear understanding of the community’s values and priorities. This is where digital marketing strategies come into play—targeted ads, content that resonates with Muslim concerns, and authentic, values-based engagement. For instance, messaging that highlights a candidate’s stance on civil rights, healthcare access, and foreign policy in relation to Muslim-majority countries can resonate more than generic campaign promises.

Online platforms such as ours, Muslim Ad Network, are powerful tools for connecting with Muslim voters. These platforms allow campaigns to deliver specific content through trusted channels within the community, ensuring that political messaging is not only heard but trusted. Muslim Americans often prefer content that reflects their faith and values, so candidates must be thoughtful in their communication strategies.

The Role of Grassroots Organizations

Grassroots organizations like Emgage USA and MPower Change have been instrumental in mobilizing Muslim voters across the country. They offer a blueprint for how candidates can engage with this community. Emgage, for example, focuses on voter registration, education, and civic engagement, helping to increase Muslim voter turnout. In 2020, the organization helped push Muslim voter turnout to new highs in key battleground states, with a focus on electing candidates who support justice and equity for all.

These organizations can provide a bridge between political campaigns and the Muslim community, offering both trust and insight into the concerns of Muslim voters. By partnering with these grassroots movements, Democratic candidates can demonstrate their commitment to Muslim issues and provide the resources needed to mobilize voters. Whether it’s through town halls, targeted ads, or social media campaigns, collaboration with these organizations can amplify the impact of voter outreach efforts.

Why the Muslim Vote Matters in 2024

In previous elections, the Muslim vote has been underestimated or taken for granted. But with over 1 million eligible Muslim voters in the U.S., their impact cannot be ignored. Muslim voters are concentrated in critical swing states, making them key to deciding close races. In 2020, Muslim turnout in places like Michigan helped tip the scales in Joe Biden’s favor.

This election cycle, the stakes are even higher. As noted by Al Jazeera, Muslim voters are not monolithic but share common concerns about civil rights, Islamophobia, and U.S. foreign policy. For many, the re-emergence of Donald Trump as a frontrunner for the GOP nomination brings back memories of policies like the “Muslim ban” and divisive rhetoric that fueled Islamophobia. At the same time, Governor Ron DeSantis’ right-wing stance on immigration and foreign policy is likely to alienate Muslim voters even further.

In response, Democratic candidates must position themselves as defenders of civil liberties and champions of human rights, both domestically and internationally. Addressing concerns about U.S. foreign policy—particularly in Palestine, Yemen, and Syria—will be essential in maintaining the trust of Muslim voters. As seen in The Nation’s analysis of Muslim voter behavior in the U.K. and U.S., voters are increasingly demanding more from political parties, and the 2024 election will be no different.

Building a Long-Term Relationship with Muslim Voters

Securing the Muslim vote in 2024 requires more than just one-off promises during election season. Candidates must demonstrate a long-term commitment to the issues that matter most to Muslim Americans. Whether it’s combating Islamophobia, reforming immigration policies, or addressing global conflicts involving Muslim-majority nations, the Democratic field must present a clear and credible vision for the future.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is urging Muslim voters to participate in campaigns like “Vote for Justice,” which emphasizes voting as a tool for achieving equity and combating injustice. Candidates who align their platforms with these values and engage authentically with Muslim communities will find themselves with a motivated, engaged electorate ready to vote in 2024.

In conclusion, the 2024 election presents a unique opportunity for Democratic candidates to secure the Muslim vote by addressing religious concerns, cutting through the noise with culturally relevant messaging, and collaborating with grassroots organizations. With the right strategy, Muslim voters could play a decisive role in the outcome of this high-stakes election.

Those who believe that voting is permissible, go out and do your duties. Those who feel differently should respect the ijtihaad (effort towards doing what one believes is right) of others. And vice versa too.

In the end, it is Allah the almighty who gives power and honor and takes it away. We just do our part.

Say: “O Allah! Lord of Power (And Rule), Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: In Thy hand is all good. Verily, over all things Thou hast power. Quran 3:26

The post Mobilizing Muslim Voters in 2024: A Strategic Approach for Democratic Candidates appeared first on Muslim Ad Network.