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Name
Bethany
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
As-Salamu `Alaykum, I am a sophomore in college and I registered to vote as soon as I turned 18 two years ago. However, I have never had the courage to actually vote. I am not extremely knowledgeable about politics, and I often repel such discussions with my peers. Also, I never know what candidates represent the best interests of Muslims in the US. Do you have any recommendations as to where I can learn more about “HOW” to vote and “WHO” to vote for? I am blessed with the right to vote in my country, so I would like to exercise that right. I would appreciate any advice. Jazakum Allahu khairan.
Answer
Dear Bethany,
Wa`alaykum As-Salamu warahmatullah.
I encourage you to keep updated with CAIR and other American Muslim organizations to remain informed about current issues affecting all Americans, especially Muslims.
I invite you to visit our website and go through our "Election Updates," which is a regular newsletter on presidential candidates and important issues; such as USA PATRIOT Act, Racial Profiling, jobs and the economy, the war on Iraq, etc. The "Election Updates" can be found at our website http://www.cair-net.org
You can also subscribe to receive daily news alerts regarding Muslim issues on our website as well.
In terms of voting for a particular candidate, there is a task force named the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT). This group is a coalition of American Muslim organizations, including CAIR. Once they make a decision regarding the elections, the entire community will be informed of that decision.
Name
Hamid
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
As Bush reputation is decreasing remarkably, do you think that would affect his chance to win 2004 elections?
Answer
Dear Hamid,
Wa`alaykum As-Salamu warahmatullah.
On certain watershed issues, President Bush has faced increasing criticism from many Americans and subsequently, his approval rating has also dropped.
Having said that, it is important to keep in mind that all presidents' approval rating fluctuates depending on issues and events.
With almost nine months to go until the general election in November, it would be too early to speculate as to the outcome of the presidential election.
Name
Adam Sakr
- Belgium
Profession
Question
What does Bush prepare as an answer to the awkward situation of American soldiers in Iraq and Afaghanistan?
Answer
Dear Adam,
Wa`alaykum As-Salamu warahmatullah.
President Bush and his administration have recently shifted their focus on the "evil" nature of Saddam Hussein's regime to justify his decision to go to war.
We must also remember that much of the justification to go to war with Iraq revolved around the claims of "weapons of mass destruction" or WMD; which have not been found to date.
The continuing lack of stability in post-war Iraq and the growing number of American casualties will not be easy to justify and explain to the American public as the general election draws near.
Name
marwan
- Lebanon
Profession
salesman
Question
Which candidate are you going to endorse?
Second, how do you plan to make sure that the voices of Muslims in America are heard by the American politicians?
Answer
Dear Marwan,
Under American law, many non-profit organizations, like CAIR, are not allowed to officially endorse political candidates.
Having said that, the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT) has been recently created as an umbrella organization to analyze the presidential candidates and their positions.
Like most American organizations, this umbrella organization is not expected to make a decision this early in the year.
Several presidential candidates have been working with national American Muslim organizations and communities to give them assurances as to their issues and concerns.
There is also growing momentum by American Muslim organizations to increase Muslim voter registration in order to increase Muslim turnout at the polls.
Name
Mona
-
Profession
Question
How do you in CAIR deal with candidates, and on what basis do you decide to vote for someone...everybody can fool Muslims and give them promises that he will support them so he can succeed.
Answer
Dear Mona,
As I indicated in the previous answer, although CAIR cannot officially endorse a candidate, we have been at the forefront of researching and issuing updates as to where the candidates stand on major issues.
Consistency is the key. The more regularly involved that Muslims get in the volunteering, financing and voting aspects of election campaigns at city, state and national, the more likely we are to be taken seriously.
Name
Khalid
- Ireland
Profession
Question
Can you give us some information about the internal and domestic problems in America, which can make Bush's opportunity to win very little?
Answer
Dear Khalid,
The current major domestic issues that are facing the Bush administration include: 3 million lost jobs, more than 40 million Americans without health insurance and a multi-trillion dollar federal deficit.
Historically speaking, economic issues always play an integral role in presidential elections. In addition, his opponents are challenging him on his personal military service and the erosion of civil liberties in America.
Name
Laila
-
Profession
Student
Question
Wa`alaykum As-Salam., I live in the U.S., and I was wondering if it would be ok to vote in the primaries coming up in march for New York. And would it be ok to vote when it comes time for the presidential elections?
Answer
Dear Laila,
Wa`alaykum As-Salamu warahmatullah.
As Muslims and American citizens, we have an obligation to participate in civic society. One way of doing this is by voting for candidates who we believe will help change things for the better.
Voting in both the primary and general elections will show that Muslims are active, visible and caring about issues which are relevant to all Americans.
Name
Ahmad
- Egypt
Profession
Imam
Question
To what extent can Muslims affect the US Elections? Are they well-arranged to effect the choice of the coming US President in a way that achieves their interests?
Answer
If the 2000 presidential elections is any indication, then minority voting groups will play an integral part again in the election of the next president.
With Bush winning the presidential elections by only a few hundred votes in Florida, it shows that each and every vote counts. American Muslims are increasingly becoming stronger as a voting base.
Name
Mido
-
Profession
Question
Which democratic candidate is the most favourable for Muslims ?
Answer
According to our most recent survey from September, 2003, when asked which Democratic Party candidate they would vote for, respondents favored Howard Dean (26 percent), Dennis Kucinich (11 percent) and John Kerry (7 percent).
Of course, as the election cycle progresses, CAIR will conduct another survey in the near future to assess where the American Muslim community now stands.
Name
Abdullah
-
Profession
Question
To what extent Steve Emerson, Daniel Pipes and Co. are fueling the campaign of bashing Muslims in this country? And how can we expose their misinformation strategy?
Answer
Dear Abdullah,
Much of the anti-Islamic rhetoric that has been circulated in America to date has the fingerprints of people like Steven Emerson of The Investigative Project and Daniel Pipes of The Middle East Forum, known to many as America's leading Islamophobes.
Brief research on either of these people would reveal their continued defamation and misinformation campaigns on Islam to members of the American media, Congress and Bush administration.
Both Emerson and Pipes are well-known as hawkish, pro-Likud advocates who feel threatened by the empowerment of the American Muslim community as a "threat" to their selfish views on Middle East politics.
Name
huzema
- India
Profession
Question
Do you think there is a future for Muslims in America?
Answer
Dear Huzema,
Islam has been in America for hundreds of years, and insha’Allah, will continue to be in America for generations to come.
Muslims, by nature, are optimists. The concept of pluralism has always played an important role in American society. People of all races, religions and ethnicities have thrived in this country for centuries and have helped make America what it is today.
Name
Farahat
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Question
How does the American media deal with the 2004 election?
Answer
Dear Farahat,
Election campaigns in America are becoming more and more a media circus.
In this day and age, candidates' popularity greatly depends on their appearance and performance on television and other media outlets.
Depending on the media outlet, there can be either a conservative or liberal slant to their coverage. Keeping this in mind, the presidential election will continue to be the most important issue of the day for the media until they are done with the counting of the votes in November.
Name
Shahid
- United States
Profession
Question
Why has CAIR been so slow to go after the government on the detainees? What happened to Dr. Amoodi?
Answer
Dear Shahid,
CAIR has been consistent on its approach to civil rights issues and violations in America, especially since 9/11.
On countless occasions, CAIR has criticized the Justice Department in their targeting of Muslims, Arabs and South Asians in regards to secret detentions, special registration or racial profiling. You can visit our press release archive at www.cair-net.org to view our media alerts on these topics.
CAIR has also joined in lawsuits and worked in coalition with non-Muslim organizations to contest the legality of certain policies undertaken by Attorney General John Ashcroft.
At the same time, we have also worked with state and federal law enforcement agencies to help protect the safety of our country and our citizens.
Name
Raed
-
Profession
Question
How do Muslims make their campagins for the elections while they don't have place in TV?
Answer
Dear Raed,
I am not sure if I fully understand your question, however, American Muslim exposure in the media has increased significantly since 9/11.
For that reason, many issues that would not have been addressed previously are now matters of presidential debates.
Having said that, there is a lot more that can be done by our community in terms of media and political work. The more financial and human resources that are dedicated to public affairs organizations like CAIR and others, the more exposure we will get in the media.
Name
Ahmed
- Nigeria
Profession
Nursing
Question
As-Salamu `Alaykum, how can Muslims vote influence the US elections considering the fact that they are the minority? Thank you.
Answer
Dear Ahmed,
Looking at presidential election, the importance of minority voting groups becomes important in close elections.
In the 2000 election, more than 40 million people voted for Bush and 40 million for Al Gore. Eventually, the presidency was decided by a few hundred votes in Florida; which minorities, if voting in bloc, can cause one candidate to win or lose.
Name
j
-
Profession
Question
Is the Muslim community in the US (or any of its major orgs) endorsing any particular candidate?
Answer
Dear J,
As stated in previous answers, the American Muslim community, through certain organizations, will make a decision as the general election draws closer in November.
Name
hasan
-
Profession
Question
As-Salamu`Alaykum, I have read some reports with regard to the presence of disunity within the American Muslim community, more specifically a three way divide between African American Muslims, Arab Muslim Americans and Muslims from the subcontinents. If this is true, how is the problem being addressed especially within the context of the Muslim vote?
Answer
Dear Hasan,
Wa`alaykum As-Salamu warahmatullah.
The Muslim community in America is very diverse and that should be its strength.
National Muslim organizations are also diverse and they are forming coalitions to coordinate their approach on important issues and this process of inclusion is maturing day by day.
We feel that the national Muslim organizations are a part of this growing inclusion and we hope that this continuing process will take care of this.
At CAIR, which we believe is an American success story, we take great pride in the diversity of our organization. The diversity of our leaders, staff and recipients of our services represent every major Muslim demographic group living in America.
For that reason, our organization is open to all people. For more information, please visit our website at www.cair-net.org
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
Mr. Nihad Awad concludes:
This being the last question, I would like to thank Islamonline for inviting me to participate in this important dialogue. I would like to thank those who sent us questions and I apologize that I wasn't able to answer all of the questions because of time restraints.
