|
AMP comment – Oct. 25, 2004
Daunting task for the Muslim organizations on Nov. 2
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
“Who is the most favored presidential candidate for the American Muslims,” I believe that there cannot be now two opinions on this issue. As confirmed by the numerous opinion polls and surveys and belated endorsements from various Muslim groups and coalitions, the American Muslim community is leaning heavily towards Senator John Kerry. Muslim support for Kerry looks a settled issue.
Having said that, now what is the responsibility of the Muslim organizations and their leaders to translate this “massive” support sentiment into reality? I believe that the most important task before the local and national Muslim organizations and local as well as national leaders is to persuade the Muslim voters to go out on November 2 and vote.
It is not a news now that during the last one year, the Muslim community has shown great political maturity by expressing their opinion, holding voter registration campaigns and candidate forums.
However, these opinion polls, surveys and intensive voter registration campaigns will mean nothing if on the election day Muslim voters do not turn out and vote in large numbers. They have to turn their registration campaigns into action by actually casting their voters.
According to former congressman Paul Findley, 65% of eligible Muslim voters voted in 2000 election when many of them responded to a call by the American Muslim Coordination Council to support George Bush. Fortunately, in election 2004, the community is self-motivated and needed no higher guidance to choose a candidate.
I believe that a large Muslim voter turnout is again possible if our grassroots organizations and particularly local community leaders do some extra efforts and launch “get out and vote” drives.
In the final analysis it is important to note that all our attention is concentrated on the presidential candidates although many congressional seats as well as many local offices are also at stake in this election. We have to give attention to all other races.
An essential requirement for participation in the national political process is to become involved in the election campaigns for congressional as well as local offices. Tip O’Neil, former speaker of House of Representative said “all politics is local.” Muslim organizations should encourage the community to participate in local election campaigns also with great zeal and enthusiasm.
Money plays a very crucial role in the national political process. It is a fact that the Muslim community contributions for local as well as national election campaigns for political parties are not very encouraging. However, the community can compensate this, to some extent, by proving volunteers in campaigns and showing a big turnout at the polling stations.
|
