Republican senator stands up for Muslim Democrat who was harassed over her faith

Deedra Abboud hopes that she’ll be the one to unseat Jeff Flake, the Republican senator from Arizona, in next year’s midterm elections.

But first, she’s found herself contending with people attacking her for her Muslim faith.

And in this, she’s found an ally: Flake himself.

Coverage of Islamophobia on Globalnews.ca:

1:26 Listen: Alberta Islamophobia reporting hotline

• Listen: Alberta Islamophobia reporting hotline
• House of Commons passes anti-Islamophobia motion M-103
• University of Alberta student makes impassioned speech about Islamophobia in House of Commons
• City Hall hot spot for debate as Anti-Islam and Anti-Islamophobia protesters clash
• Islamophobia becomes political hot potato in Ottawa

Previous Video

Next Video

Abboud is from Little Rock, Ark., and now works as a lawyer based in Phoenix. She’s running in the Democratic primary to seek a Senate seat in Arizona.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

And her Facebook page is littered with offensive comments targeting her religion.

One person likened Allah to Satan in response to a post about the U.S. Constitution.

Another commenter said, “Islam’s true colours are finally being noticed by the weaker-minded American,” in response to a post announcing her candidacy.

READ MORE: Muslim misconceptions: the everyday Islamophobia facing Canadians

Arizona Central reported that Abboud has police escort at events because she has “received a lot of hate.”

But Flake is one person who won’t stand for it.

In a tweet on Tuesday night, he said he was “sorry” that Abboud had to “put up with this.”

“Lots of wonderful people across Arizona,” he said. “You’ll find them.”

Abboud thanked Flake for his words.

“Arizona’s amazing people deserve more of this,” she tweeted.