Posted on 09/01/2003 12:14:25 PM PDT by veronica
Even before the Sept. 11 attacks and the crackdown that followed, American Muslim leaders generally had come to believe they had made a mistake.
In 2000, they made their first unified endorsement in a presidential race, backing George W. Bush. Many thought he would take a harder line against Israel, and, based on statements he made while campaigning, would protect the rights of immigrants facing deportation.
Muslims say they were disappointed on both counts. Now, feeling the additional sting of being scrutinized in the domestic hunt for terrorists, they are mobilizing to express their anger at the polls in 2004.
At their largest convention of the year, which ends today, national Muslim leaders announced plans to register 1 million Muslim voters and make civil rights a top issue in any endorsement of a presidential candidate.
"A defining moment of Islam in America is approaching," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group based in Washington. "We cannot surrender our future and our destiny to hate in this country."
Agha Saeed, head of the Muslim American Congress, led the crowd in a chant. "I am an American, I am a Muslim and I vote," he said, joined by thousands gathered for the Islamic Society of North America meeting.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Mr. Bush won points with American Muslims by visiting a mosque and declaring Islam a peaceful religion.
But since then, the federal government has detained hundreds of immigrants, shut down U.S. Muslim charities suspected of terrorist ties and gained broad new powers to monitor citizens under the USA Patriot Act.
The Bush administration said these moves have been crucial for U.S. security. American Muslims say they are being scapegoated.
A White House spokesman referred questions about the presidential race to the Bush campaign, whose spokeswoman did not immediately reply to a request for comment Sunday.
It is unclear what effect Muslims can have in the 2004 elections.
Estimates of the number of U.S. Muslims vary dramatically from 2 million to 6 million. But immigrant Muslims generally are highly educated professionals with the means to make significant campaign donations.
Also, their community has matured dramatically in the past four years.
The assault on Islam that followed the suicide hijackings that killed thousands in New York and Washington compelled Muslims around the country to defend their faith.
National Muslim organizations, including Mr. Awad’s, reported a dramatic increase in donations and membership.
Believe me, this isn't unique to conservatives or Republicans. There are plenty of hysterically frightened, bigoted folks on all sides. ;-)
Bush did win Dearborn(a swing area, and the whites there tend to be union dems like the rest of Downriver) last time, and it was spread out among the precincts, so East Dearborn as well. In fact, it was the only 'Downriver' suburb he won outside of Grosse Ile(very affluent).
Although Dearborn is heavily Iraqi in particular, and Arabs are spread out around the Detroit area.
Yeah, I've been a member of a profession that hasn't yet won universal adoration. ;-)
Hate to admit it, but you are spot on.
Year after year, Democrat office holders and candidates make blatantly anti-Israel comments, and still most Jewish voters blindly support the Dems and slam the GOP.
(Think Jessie Jackson, Hillary Clinton, Al Sharpton, Mosely Braun, and recently Congressman Moran from West Virginia)
And now rabid Muslim groups are joining the Democrats and still, many Jews hate Republicans.
I guess old misconceptions die hard in the Jewish community.
Sorry.
No, but the stage could be tipped back...
And what do you propose to do about that?
Shhhh! (Please, I'm undercover.) ;-)
As limited as the sweet young thing's possibilities may appear to be here, she'll be a definite genetic asset to the friendly regime. She ain't nobody's cousin over there, and that's a good thing.
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