U.S.: Muslims gather at Rosemont, Illinois

Daily Herald - 9/4/2004 3:00:00 PM GMT

American Muslims opened their largest annual gathering at Rosemont, Illinois, Friday. They emphasized the importance of voting as the Muslim community in the U.S. 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.

Voter registration booths will be set up, and U.S. 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, attacks on the United States, and organizers plan to address many of the problems that have plagued the Muslim community since then.

Presentations will be made on defending Islam against prejudice, creating ties with leaders of other faiths and preserving Muslims' civil rights.

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 American Muslims to establish strong 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.

Muslims have large populations in states such as Ohio, Michigan and Florida and hope this will help them gain visibility in the tight presidential race.

In 2000, major Muslim organizations made their first collective endorsement of a presidential candidate, supporting 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.

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.

Sayyid Syeed, secretary general of the Islamic Society, said that 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.