US Muslims Vote for Civil Rights, Iraq

Muslims will go out Tuesday to democratically defend their eroding civil rights.

The majority of American Muslims seem set to vote for Democrats, known to be more liberal on moral issues of concern to conservative Muslims, in Tuesday's mid-term elections, which could see Republicans lose control over one or both houses of Congress.

"It is not a time to focus on abortion and same-sex marriage," Fatimah Awni, a mother of four, told IslamOnline.net.

"We have been losing and suffering since President George Bush came to office and it is our chance to change that."

Muslims and Arabs have taken the brunt of the Patriot Act and other federal powers applied in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

They believe that in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, the Republican-led administration increasingly applied heavy-handed methods, which in turn, stripped Muslims of their civil rights and made them feel like suspects.

American Muslims, estimated at between five and seven millions, have set up voter registration booths in mosques across the country to encourage fellow Muslim voters to sign up for the mid-term elections.

They have also established a website to enable online registrations.

There are over two million registered Muslim voters in the United States.

Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats out of the total 435 on offer on Tuesday to grab control of the House of Representatives.

A pickup of six seats out of 33 in play would hand them the reins of the 100-seat Senate.

Priorities

"In the past, the emphasis was on discouraging same-sex marriages and abortion," said Ayloush

"We suffer from the loss of our civil rights," said a visibly frustrated Awni, urging fellow American Muslims to vote Democrat.

She criticized some Muslims who plan to shun their democratic right to choose their representatives.

"We should all be there fighting for our rights and trying to put the most eligible person in office. It is our rights and we should fight to get it."

Muslims who voted for Republicans in the last elections said they have learned the less, albeit at a high price.

"Of course, my voice and my family’s voices are going to Democrats," said Sarah Amini.

"We gave our voices to Republicans in 2000 and we paid an expensive price," she recalled.

"What was the result? It is that we are now like a second degree Americans, we lost our rights, we are always singled out. So, how could we repeat the same mistake again."

Ahmed Awni, a Californian civil engineer and a father of four, is also concerned about Muslims’ civil rights.

"We need to wake up and get out from our hibernation to change our situation," he said enthusiastically.

"Civil rights should be our first priority when we vote and if we don’t defend our liberties, no one else will make the job for us."

Mohamed Nimer, research director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said their recent poll showed American Muslims were most concerned about civil liberties, an issue that has dominated the community since the 9/11 attacks.

Nearly 25 percent of Muslim voters said their main concern going into the election is education and civil liberties.

"These tendencies show that priorities of American Muslims have shifted," stressed Hussam Ayloush, CAIR Los Angeles executive director.

"In the past, the emphasis was on discouraging same-sex marriages and abortion. Now, our community’s priorities are an improved economy, immigration reform and upholding civil rights of all Americans."

Raeed Tayeh, a Washington-based political and media consultant, agreed.

"Well these days, it has to do with civil liberties, foreign policy, and social justice. I think these are the three big issues that are looked at," he told IOL.

Accessibility

Mahdi Bray, the Executive Director of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation (MAS), believes the current social and political situation gives the Democrats a reasonable edge over the Republicans.

"Some of the important factors for endorsement are a candidate's accessibility to the Muslim community, position on immigration, social and economic justice, foreign policy and integrity."

Although Hassan al-Alamy, a permanent resident, does not have the right to vote, he as a tip for fellow Muslims who do.

"If I were to vote, I will give it to Ted Kennedy (D) Senator from Massachusetts and Democrat Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick," he said.

"Kennedy is very vocal against the president's policies on Iraq. Patrick is running against Ms. Healy who was part of the Romni administration which ignored Muslims and asked for mosques to be wire-tabbed."

Al-Alamy said Muslims should give their voices to candidates who are open to them.

"It is kind of a mix. Of highest importance is someone who is open to Muslims and would listen to them."

Republicans do not seem to qualify.

"I doubt that Republicans will get more than 10% of the Muslim vote in most races in the country," said Tayeh, the political and media consultant.

"There may be some exceptions, like local and statewide races, but when it comes to Congress, Republicans should not count on Muslim votes."

A recent CAIR poll showed that 42 percent of respondents were Democrats and 17 percent Republican, while some 28 percent had no party affiliation.

Decisive Iraq

While seeking to guarantee representatives who would defend their eroding civil rights, American Muslims are also preoccupied with foreign policies that fire back on their families back home.

"Certain foreign policy issues are very important to Muslims, and among them is the war in Iraq," said CAIR'S Ayloush.

"Our families are suffering back home from the horrible situation in Iraq," said an angry Awni.

Sarah Amini also wants someone to be held accountable for "our parents who are getting killed days and nights in Iraq."

The Republican Party's declining fortunes are mainly linked to the unpopularity of the war in Iraq.

"The war in Iraq is a top priority for all Americans, including Muslim Americans," said Ayloush.

He stressed that American voters are frustrated with the deteriorating situation in Iraq, with thousands of innocent civilians and American soldiers having been killed in the past three years.

"In many Americans’ eyes, the administration has lost the ability to effectively manage the course of the war in Iraq," said Ayloush.

"Voters will likely be voting those into office who will help change the situation in Iraq and provide solutions to voters’ other concerns that the current administration hasn’t been able to resolve."

A recent CBS poll showed Iraq to be by far the most important concern of voters, with 27 percent citing it as their top-priority issue, followed by the economy and jobs (13 percent), illegal immigration (eight percent) and terrorism (seven percent).

Democrats hope a new power base in Congress would allow them to probe Bush's management of the war and to demand a change of course, as US soldiers continue to die and violence convulses Baghdad.

Muslim Candidate

Americans, not only Muslims, are closely watching the march of Democrat Keith Ellison who is mostly likely to become America's first ever congressman.

"A positive development that may happen this time around for Muslims and Americans in general is Ellison," said Ayloush.

Ellison is running in a primarily Democratic Minneapolis district against a Republican and candidates from the Independence and Green parties, who have not raised nearly as much money as Ellison.

"If Ellison wins, it will be a huge victory for the Muslim community and it will demonstrate the significance for minorities such as American Muslims to have a say in the American political arena," he Ayloush.

The 43-year-old African American reverted to Islam when he was 19. He has served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

The last Muslim to seek a seat in Congress was Saudi-born Ferial Masri, who ran unsuccessfully in California in 2004.

The highest elected office ever reached by a Muslim is state senator.

Larry Shaw, an African American Muslim, has been a state senator in North Carolina since 1996.