Arab & Muslim Americans discuss the Democratic field and the Middle East

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Muslim- and Arab-Americans Seek a Presidential Peacemaker to Support in 2004

After 9/11, growing numbers of Muslim Americans turned to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to safeguard their civil rights and to keep abreast of political issues. These days CAIR, established to promote a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America, finds its work more essential than ever. In addition to its Washington, DC headquarters, CAIR now has 23 chapters across the country, and its membership has tripled since the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Once a year the Muslim community and its friends gather together in the national capital to celebrate and show support for CAIR. Each chapter has its own grassroots fund-raisers, but the Washington, DC banquet usually draws a good crowd. Even so, organizers were stunned by the enormous success of their ninth annual banquet on Nov. 30.

“Before 9/11, I never would have attended a dinner like this,” Dr. Naheed Morrill told the Washington Report. “But now I feel so isolated and marginalized in this country. I need to feel a part of the Muslim community.”

More than 1,000 supporters packed the sold-out, standing-room-only ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel in Tyson’s Corner, VA. CAIR broke all records for an American Muslim fund-raising event, topping its Ramadan fund-raising goal of $1 million. Well-educated and successful doctors, lawyers, computer specialists, business people and entrepreneurs filled the room and reached deep into their pockets to show their confidence and pride in CAIR’s work.

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Muslim- and Arab-Americans Seek a Presidential Peacemaker to Support in 2004