The Muslim Vote Stands to Impact Election 2004

April 17, 2004

Source: The Observer-Dispatch

http://www.uticaod.com/archive/2004/04/17/opinion/30247.html

On April 17, 2004 The Observer-Dispatch reported, "No-shows at the ballot box might take a lesson from Muslim-Americans, who are stepping up efforts to assume an active role in the nation's political process. The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections believes that this year's presidential race will be close, and even though its numbers are small, activists say voters could have an impact in November. To that end, the Associated Press reported Monday that the group aims to register one million Muslims to vote and will educate them about the presidential candidates' positions. 'We believe this election will be a very tight one and small communities can play a major role, particularly in battleground states such as Michigan, Ohio and Florida, where a majority of Muslims live,' Omar Ahmad, national chairman of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said at a news conference on Saturday. The group hasn't decided which candidate to support, but task force chairman Agha Saeed said it would weigh the candidates' positions on civil rights issues, the economy, crime prevention and education. 'We are going to hold town hall meetings all over the United States for the community and for the candidates to engage in a dialogue where we bring ourselves up to speed on these issues and create common cause with fellow Americans,' Saeed said."