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| Muslims: new U.S. vote bloc |
powderpuff |
09/05/04 |
From : deseretnews.com
Muslims: new U.S. vote bloc
ROSEMONT, Ill. — American Muslims opened their largest annual gathering Friday, emphasizing the importance of voting as the Muslim community struggles for political recognition.
More than 30,000 people were expected to attend the three-day meeting organized by the Islamic Society of North America, an umbrella association representing Muslim groups and mosques nationwide.
Voter registration booths will be set up, and American Muslims who have been elected to public office will discuss their campaigns. Two sessions have been dedicated to getting out the vote.
"We are this nation," said Kareem Irfan, chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.
The conference is the third for the Islamic Society since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and organizers planned to address many of the problems that have plagued the community since then.
Presentations will be made on defending Islam against prejudice, creating ties with leaders of other faiths and preserving Muslims' civil rights during the domestic war on terrorism.
Sheik Muhammad Nur Abdullah, president of the Islamic Society, opened the session with a prayer asking God to "heal the wound from 9/11," and urged U.S. Muslims to build relations with other faiths as a model of tolerance for fellow Muslims overseas.
"As Muslim Americans, we can set that example," he said.
However, the presidential race will be a top issue.
As recently as the 2000 election, some Muslim immigrants debated whether their religion even allowed them to participate in democratic elections. American Muslim leaders say those questions are no longer being raised, and they are working for high voter turnout in their communities.
Muslims have sizable populations in swing states such as Ohio, Michigan and Florida and hope this will help them gain visibility in the tight presidential race.
Already, they have been pleased with their representation at the Republican and Democratic conventions, according to Sayyid Syeed, secretary general of the Islamic Society. Muslims gave invocations or benedictions at both events. An Islamic Society spokesman said as of Friday, there was no indication either party would send a representative to the conference.
In 2000, major Muslim organizations made their first collective endorsement of a presidential candidate, backing George W. Bush. However, many Muslim leaders said they came to regret that decision after Sept. 11.
They said the broad new powers the federal government gained through the USA Patriot Act have made all Muslims suspects. The Bush administration has defended the law as critical for national security.
Community leaders say they have not yet decided whether to make an endorsement in this year's presidential campaign. Polls indicate that most U.S. Muslims plan to vote for Democrat John Kerry.
On interfaith relations, Syeed said his organization has made gains, working with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Council of Churches, which represents mainline Protestant and Orthodox churches.
Syeed noted many mosques have been so successful in reaching out to those of other faiths that non-Muslims sometimes outnumber Muslims at Friday prayers.
"We are proud that in this society, in spite of the fact there were tremendous provocations . . . the dominant spirit has been the spirit of understanding," he said.
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My question: Do you have any concerns about the political influence of Muslim Americans during this time of world terror led by Arab Muslims? And do you believe there is a difference between American Muslims and other Muslims, or not?
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Clarification/Follow-up by HANK1 on 09/06/04 12:12 pm:
Powderpuff: I predict that AMERICAN Muslims will have increasing influence ABROAD. Muslims in other parts of the world are going to receive AMERICAN culture, and part of that includes AMERICAN Muslim culture. This is what I meant ... and YES, there is a difference between most AMERICAN Muslims and other Muslims! Clarification/Follow-up by powderpuff on 09/06/04 12:33 pm:
Thanks HANK1
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