By Ayub Khan, IOL Chicago Correspondent

CHICAGO, March 18 (IslamOnline) - The United Muslim Americans Association (UMAA), an Illinois-based grassroots Muslim political empowerment group, released its much awaited list of endorsed candidates for the March 19, 2002, Illinois primary elections.

The UMAA has for the past two years endeavored to make Illinois's 450,000 Muslims’ electoral strength felt in the political arena, and is urging all Muslims to vote for its endorsed candidates in Tuesday’s primary. An estimated 70,000-100,000 Muslims are expected to vote.

UMAA's list was compiled after intense deliberation and coordination with many activists and leaders in the community. Criteria considered during candidate selection included meetings with candidates, researching their histories and agendas, recommendations from community leaders and candidates welcoming UMAA's endorsement.

A candidate's commitment to issues such as civil liberties, use of secret evidence, discrimination, education, social needs, and equal opportunity employment were given due consideration.

Since a vast majority of Muslim voters vote along party lines, the endorsement list provides selected candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties.

For the top office of Illinois Governor, UMAA endorsed democrat Paul Vallas, a candidate with a proven track record with the Muslim community. Vallas’ campaign community liaison, Rehan Khan, has appealed to all Muslims to vote for Vallas.

Vallas has taken special pains to meet with the Muslim community and leaders and address their concerns. He is currently in a statistical dead heat with U.S. Congressman Rod Blagojevic.

Another race in which Muslims are enthusiastically participating is in the 5th Congressional District. Peter Dagher, a Catholic of Arab-American decent, is running. Dagher is facing stiff competition from heavyweights Rahm Emanuel and Nancy Kaszak.

The UMAA has made an appeal to all Muslim and Arab-American voters to take a copy of their endorsement (http://www.theumaa.org/Elections_2002/Cand_Endorsed_ By_UMAA_03_02.htm) list to the polling both and vote accordingly.

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