Reactions to Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States have been mixed, both globally and locally. For those familiar with the realities of U.S. politics and how decisions are made in the White House, it’s clear that Trump and the administration he has assembled are primarily focused on advancing the interests of wealthy elites—the billionaires and corporate giants who backed his rise to power. Sadly, this will likely come at the expense of marginalized nations and even the American people themselves.
Trump belongs to the club of capitalists and billionaires—the very group responsible for perpetuating global poverty and oppression. By hoarding the world’s wealth and denying others access to it, they exacerbate inequality. A report published by Oxfam on January 20, 2025, revealed that billionaires increased their wealth by $2 trillion in 2024—equivalent to a staggering $5.7 billion per day. This growth rate was three times faster than the previous year, while the number of people living in poverty has barely changed since 1990. In 2023, the wealthiest 1% in countries like the U.S., the U.K., and France extracted $30 million per hour from the Global South through financial systems. Despite representing only 21% of the global population, the Global North controls 69% of the world’s wealth, 77% of billionaire wealth, and is home to 68% of the world’s billionaires. History has shown that these fortunes are built on the exploitation of weaker nations, the plundering of their resources, and burdening people—including their own—with taxes, inflated prices, and currency manipulation. The capitalist system, led by the U.S., thrives on such practices. Unfortunately, there’s little reason to expect the current administration to deviate from these exploitative principles. Instead, the world should brace for more underhanded schemes and strategic alliances designed to protect and strengthen this predatory system.
When it comes to the Muslim Ummah, while Trump may appear to have pressured “Israel” into halting its attacks on Gaza, the reality is far less noble. The previous U.S. administration had already enabled widespread devastation, leaving little else to destroy in the area after so much bloodshed and destruction. Today, we see the Jewish entity, with Trump’s tacit approval, continuing its aggressive policies in the West Bank.
In Syria, the situation following the collapse of the revolution offers little hope. The warming ties between Trump’s administration and the Syrian regime—evident in the easing of sanctions and the exchange of congratulatory messages—signal dangerous intentions for the region and its people.
Elsewhere in the Muslim world, Trump, who once famously referred to Egypt’s President Sisi as his “favorite dictator,” remains a staunch supporter of oppressive rulers. These leaders continue to serve as tools for exploiting Muslim lands, allowing American corporations to plunder resources while subjugating their own people under oppressive laws.
Domestically, Trump’s policies are expected to place even greater pressure on minorities, underscoring his history of divisive rhetoric and discriminatory policies. While he may exploit legal loopholes to target minorities, including Muslims, U.S. laws limit his power to enact sweeping changes. As such, the Muslim community in America should not live in fear of his administration. Instead, they must remain steadfast in defending their legal rights and standing up for justice. Moreover, they have a responsibility to support their global Muslim brothers and sisters through political and intellectual efforts.
Muslims in the United States, who enjoy both the rights afforded to them under the law and the obligations of their faith, have a vital role to play. They must act as ambassadors of the Ummah, advocating for its rights and remembering their unbreakable connection to it, no matter the distance. By holding firmly to Islamic principles and living proudly by their faith, they can resist assimilation into the secular framework. Beyond that, they are entrusted with the noble mission of inviting others to the truth of Islam, offering an alternative to the darkness of capitalist liberalism. This mission is an act of compassion and justice, embodying the Quranic verse وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّارَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds” [Quran 21:107].
Muslims must carry out this responsibility with wisdom, serving as beacons of hope for those lost in the struggles of modern life. They should be like perfume carriers, spreading their fragrance wherever they go, as the Quran advises ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَـٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۖ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided” [Quran 16:125].
Wednesday, 22nd Rajab 1446 AH
January 1, 2025 CE
Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in America
