As a Muslim American, I cannot vote for those serving lobbies and endorsing genocide.

As an American who values freedom, I do not want to support those who play puppets to lobbyists. As a Muslim, I respect the sanctity of human life and will never support anyone who endorses genocide in the forthcoming election. I have made my decision. It is not choosing between the two evils. It is choosing good over evil, regardless of the consequences.

As a Muslim American, I often ask whom I should vote for in the 2004 Presidential and congressional elections. What criteria should I use to cast my sacred vote? Should I vote according to the recommendations of Muslim organizations and Muslim leaders, or based on my conscience? What if I disagree with the stand of Muslim leaders? What if I don't trust Muslim leaders?

As an American, my priority is to ensure that my electoral decisions are in the best interests of my country. As a Muslim, I must be honest with my value system in exercising my right to vote.

The two major political parties may claim to represent people, but in reality, they serve special interest groups that finance them and determine the nature of their politics.

There are over 12,000 lobbyists in Washington, but fewer than 300 firms handle most lobbying (in terms of expenditures).

The 20 major lobbyist groups in America are:

- US Chamber of Commerce $38,240,000
- National Assn of Realtors $31,447,456
- Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America $16,910,000
- American Hospital Assn $14,617,284
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield $14,509,150
- Meta $13,560,000
- American Medical Assn $12,655,000
- Business Roundtable $10,980,000
- American Chemistry Council $9,870,000
- AARP $9,540,000
- Amazon.com $9,530,000
- Pharmaceutical Care Management Assn $8,385,558
- CTIA $8,340,000
- American Fuel & Petrochem Manufacturers $8,067,000
- General Motors $7,630,000
- Comcast Corp $7,317,000
- Alphabet Inc $7,260,000
- NCTA The Internet & Television Assn $6,880,000
- RTX Corp $6,670,000
- America's Health Insurance Plans $6,600,000

The so-called representatives elected by a majority of votes serve these and many other lobbies in deciding national priorities. Their votes reflect the will of lobbyists, not the people. Lobbyists' influence is more significant than that of voters.

For instance, during the invasion of Iraq under the false pretext of weapons of mass destruction, the elected representatives ignored the will of the majority and sided with lobbyists cheering for war.

As a free and self-respecting citizen of the country, I do not want to be bulldozed by lobbyists who serve their client organizations and not the people. It compromises my independence and integrity as a responsible voter.

I consider the Republicans and Democrats puppets in the hands of lobbyists. They have proved that people do not matter to them when serving lobbyists.

A recent example is the lawmaker's response to genocide perpetrated by Israel. The two parties not only endorse the genocide but sent billions of dollars in aid to the apartheid state to continue its belligerent policies. They sided with the aggressor because of the AIPAC lobby.

As an American, I cannot sell my conscience to either of the two political parties who have no regard for people's opinions. Hence, my patriotism will not allow me to support the two parties in the forthcoming elections.

As a Muslim, I believe in the sanctity of human life. It is the criterion that determines my worldview. Before every other right comes the right to live, breathe, and be alive.

The two parties have supported the Israeli genocide of Palestinians. The two have violated the sanctity of human life and, under the pretext of their religious, racial, and economic interests, denied the people of Palestine the rights that God granted them.

As a Muslim, I must demonstrate my commitment to my values in all aspects of life. Hence, I cannot vote for either of the two parties, as both are accomplices in the ongoing genocide.

I have a choice in the coming elections. I can choose who does not serve lobbyists and who does not endorse genocide. If I do not find anyone meeting the above criteria, I can say on the ballot paper that I do not vote for the above candidates.

However, if I find a candidate that rejects the lobbyist culture and condemns genocide, I would vote for them regardless of the outcome. I want to be honest with myself. To be human means to be honest with one's beliefs and value system.