Muslims push voter turnout

[cal04]

American Muslim leaders ended their largest annual meeting with a rousing plea to thousands of community members that they vote in the presidential election.Muslims urgently want to register their political presence in this country as a step toward ending what many believe are excesses in the war on terror.

"We have to demand justice," said Mahdi Bray, head of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, as the convention wound down Sunday night. "We have to stand up to this government and say, `What you're doing is wrong."'The American Muslim Taskforce, an umbrella group for top U.S. Muslim organizations, met behind closed doors separately from the weekend conference, deliberating whether to make an endorsement in the race. Both Democrats and Republicans are seeking their support.

American Muslims hold special importance this election year because they have strong communities in battleground states such as Michigan, Ohio and Florida. Also, immigrant Muslims tend to be educated professionals -- an attractive demographic for both parties.Despite bitter feelings over how President Bush has conducted the war on terror, Muslim leaders said an endorsement for his challenger, Democratic Sen. John Kerry, was not guaranteed. Independent Ralph Nader traveled here Saturday and made an aggressive pitch for their backing.

A decision is expected by next month.
Endorsement mistake
In 2000, leaders of major Muslim organizations made their first endorsement in a presidential race, choosing Bush over Democrat Al Gore. The Texas governor had indicated he was sympathetic to their concerns about the use of secret evidence in immigration hearings.
However, many rank-and-file Muslims -- especially U.S.-born blacks, who vote overwhelmingly Democratic -- opposed that 2000 decision. After the September 11, 2001, attacks, and the anti-terror policies that followed, the Muslim leaders who had organized the Bush endorsement said openly they had made a mistake.


http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Midwest/09/06/muslim.voting.ap/index.html

[msongs]

1. why no kerry appearance here??

john kerry did not appear before this group. wonder why?? I know why bush did not appear....boo birds. and there is an active movement to promote nader among muslims cuz nader is of lebanese heritage. do not know if he is muslim or not.

[realFedUp]

2. This is a good thing...n/t

[umtalal]

3. Unfortunately, Kerry has been refusing to address the Arabs and Muslims

Americans. He is showing his support to the pro-Israeli groups by shunning those important demographics. Just a note, not all of the Arab Americans are Muslims, a great number are Christian. I went to a labor day picnic and saw Nader buttons all over the place. I am not sure if Nader is allowed in the ballot in California.

[ck4829]

4. I once made a short list as to why Muslims should not vote for Bush

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x656553

It's archived now, so reply to this post to tell me what you think.