March 11, 2001
Source: The Washington Post
On March 11, 2001, The Washington Post reported that organizers of the gathering at the Capitol Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia, to celebrate the end of the Hajj, recently began inviting political candidates to speak to the 17,000 Muslims in attendance. "Muslims are a potentially rich source of votes in Virginia because they are reliable voters and generally support candidates as a bloc." 150,000 to 250,000 Muslims live in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. "The awakening of an Islamic voice in politics is happening nationally as well."