[Islam-Online- Society]

By now, if you live in the United States, you should have received and read your 2000 Census form. Whether you received the long or short version, and whatever your status in this country, it cannot be stressed enough how important it is that everyone participate. As a growing minority, it is especially important for Muslims to make themselves known.

Please take the very few minutes it requires to fill out the form. Be sure to include every adult and child in home, whether they are related to you or not. If you need help filling out the form, call the toll-free number included on the form. There are also Questionnaire Assistance Centers available to help.

Responding to the census is very safe.

By law, the Census Bureau cannot share your answers with the IRS, FBI, Welfare, Immigration or any other governmental agency. No court of law, not even the President of the United States can find out your answers. And the same law that keeps your answers out of the hands of those agencies prevents the Census Bureau from selling your address to people who could send you unwanted mail.

Taking part in the census is in our own best interest. Answering the census helps communities obtain federal funding aid and valuable information for planning hospitals, roads and more. Census information helps decision-makers understand which neighborhoods need new schools and which ones need greater services for the elderly.

As Muslims, filling out the census tells the government just what a force we are in this country. It makes them aware of our numbers and where we live, and helps us get the services and response we need from them. We cannot be underestimated if stand up and let ourselves be heard.

But they won’t know if we don’t fill out the forms and send them back.

Please read these important articles previously posted:

Under-Representation: Mistakes We Can’t Repeat in Census 2000

How the Census is Used