American Muslim Taskforce in the Verge of Endorsing a Presidential Candidate

Tuesday, September 07, 2004

By Hannah Abdullah

ROSEMONT (Masnet) - As the Islamic Society of North America wrapped up its annual convention in Rosemont, Illinois today, Muslim leaders who gathered here from around the U.S. say they are still deliberating who they will endorse for President this election.

The American Muslim Taskforce, an umbrella organization representing eight Muslim American groups, met over the Labor Day weekend in an attempt to decide whether to endorse one of the three candidates.

While a decision will not be made for at least another month, the Muslim leadership heavily promoted voter participation. Political activists say the stakes have never been higher for America’s estimated 7 million Muslims and 3.5 million Arabs.

"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.'"

Unlike the 2000 elections when a similar umbrella organization gave overwhelming support to President George W. Bush, this year the group appears hesitant to give him another endorsement.

In the previous election, a coalition of Muslim leaders representing some of the nation’s most influential groups, including the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Public Affairs Committee (MPAC), worked to deliver a bloc vote to Bush.

The group, called the American Muslim Political Coordination Council (AMPCC), cited his “openness” to American-Muslim issues.

“The main factor was the governor’s accessibility to Muslim leaders. He has promised to address American Muslim concerns when and if he goes into office,” said Ibrahim Hooper, an AMPCC spokesman, in an October 2000 interview with the Associated Press (AP).

Bush was also picked for his willingness to meet with community leaders on the campaign trail and his pledging to eliminate the use of secret evidence in immigration hearings.

Some Muslim leaders also found the Republican Party’s platform on domestic issues dealing with abortion and school vouchers appealing.

It is not clear how the bloc vote strategy impacted Arab and Muslim influence on the White House. The strategy has thus far produced mixed reviews from Arab and Muslim activists.

Some point to small victories with regards to accessibility with the President and members of his Administration.

For example, immediately following the Sept. 11 attacks, President Bush won praise and appreciation for his visit to a Washington, D.C. mosque and his calls for tolerance and understanding toward Muslims. President Bush also scored points with Muslim and Arab American leaders when he distanced himself from Islamophobic statements made by Christian right leaders, who stand at the core of his political base.

But as the Bush Administration pursued its war on terror, a growing number of Muslims say they have become the government’s target. Since the attacks, federal authorities have detained and deported hundreds of mostly Arab and Muslim immigrants, shut down major Muslim charities in the U.S. and introduced new laws broadening government powers to monitor the activities of individuals.

Despite their feelings toward the President, leaders say a vote for Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry is not guaranteed.

Meanwhile, Independent candidate Ralph Nader made a campaign stop at the convention to win over much-needed support from the Muslim community.

"We are the only ones who are speaking up on Israel, the Palestinians, civil liberties and malicious prosecution," Nader told the AP in an interview.

About a year ago, the Bush administration had increased contacts with Muslim leaders, inviting them for briefings with the Department of Justice and the White House faith-based office, among other gestures, Salam al-Marayati, head of the Muslim Public Affairs Council told the AP.

The latest poll, conducted in mid-January by Zogby International, indicated that support for President Bush among Arab Americans declined sharply since he took office. Arab voters gave the president low marks on issues dealing with foreign policy, civil liberties and the treatment of immigrants.

Poll results indicated only 28% of Arab Americans would vote to reelect the President, a sharp drop from the 44.5% he enjoyed in 2000.

In contrast, 40% of Arab Americans surveyed said they would vote for “any Democrat”, while the remaining 32% would either vote for an independent candidate, or are still undecided.

Regardless of who receives the majority of Arab and Muslim American votes in 2004, community leaders say they are encouraging their community members to get involved in the process and get to the polls in November.