Rock the Muslim Vote
Muslim Americans combat lack of political attention
Reported by Sofia Ijaz
Produced by Andrea Domanick
Muslim Americans are black, white, Latino, Asian, European and African. But all are followers of a faith that has been misunderstood throughout this election season. Muslims talk about a sense of alienation that has been underscored by their complicated relationship with presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has battled a barrage of rumors that tie him to Islam. Obama went to school in the Muslim-majority country of Indonesia and retains the middle name Hussein, both of which have saddled him with scores of questions from the public. He has answered to the American public, unequivocally reaffirming his Christian identity. Some Muslim Americans have asked, "What's wrong with being a Muslim?"
There is a feeling of distance from Republican nominee John McCain as well. In an interview with Beliefnet, McCain spoke about his religious preference for the future president: "I think the number one issue that people should make a selection of the president of the United States is, 'Will this person carry on in the Judeo-Christian-principled tradition that has made this nation the greatest experiment in the history of mankind?'" Statements like these have left Muslims voters out in the cold.
Jina Hassan, an Afghan American from Chicago, said she would like to see religion play less of a role in the elections.
"I wish it wasn't such a big thing that they went to church," she said. "If they had been Jewish or Muslim, it wouldn't be in their benefit politically, so I don't see why being Christian should be in their benefit. It makes Muslims and other faiths feel left out."
Abed Ayoub, a young Lebanese American from Michigan, said that it is in the candidates' benefit to attract Muslim-Americans since they represent swing votes in states with high Muslim concentrations (like Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio).
Abed said he won't be discouraged by the political climate, whether it’s warm or icy towards Muslims. "We're not going to let the actions of Obama or McCain or their camps dictate whether or not we come out and exercise our right to vote," he said.
U.S. representative Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to be elected to Congress, said he believes in the strength of the Muslim American community. He gave some words of advice to young Muslim Americans: "If you've been faced with a hardship - let's just say someone pulled your hijab off or pulled your kuffiyeh off or called you a terrorist or something like that - you can either get embittered or you can get better. I would say, get better. Get better."
Salam Al-Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a public service agency, explained why Muslim Americans should fight political recognition. "Home is not where my grandparents are buried," Al-Marayati said. "Home is where my grandchildren are going to be raised."
By November, Obama and McCain may - or may not - have made efforts to reach out to Muslims. Either way, Muslim Americans are still invested in the future of their country.
