Vote For Mo
Dean, Ellison tell Muslims to run for office:
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean told American Muslims gathered in Rosemont to think beyond voter registration drives.
“You need to run for political office,” Dean said Saturday. “The only way you can achieve your goals is to stand up and say who you are and be proud of it.”
Those in the packed house rose to their feet and applauded.
Dean was one of several prominent Democrats on Saturday to address the nation’s largest gathering of American Muslims. Republicans declined invitations, organizers said.
The annual Labor Day weekend gathering of the Islamic Society of North America is expected to draw up to 40,000 Muslims before it ends Monday.
It’s a family event full of spiritual and educational seminars. Saturday, many Muslims found inspiration from politicians.
“Be heard. Don’t be silent. Tell it like it is,” said Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress.
“If you don’t tell your story, someone else will. And you may be the villain in their story,” the Minnesota Democrat said.
Ellison, too, received a standing ovation.
While Muslims are changing America’s religious landscape, they’re being encouraged to find their political voice, too.
“There are people who want to see Muslims not only at the table but on the ticket,” said Malik Mujahid, president of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, which sponsored the “Take Back America Rally” involving Dean.
Great idea. I agree wholeheartedly. As long as they are Muslims who understand their first allegiance is to the people and interests of the United States. Also, as long as they aren’t the kind of Muslims who would applaud at … pretty much anything Howard Dean or Keith Ellison have to say. The article claims political views of Muslims at the event are “hardly monolithic,” but provides no evidence of that.
Nabeel Razzaki, a financial analyst from Portland, said many American Muslims became fearful of political participation after 9/11.
“I’ve thought about it for a long time, but I was scared,” Razzaki said after hearing Dean. “Now, I feel inspired to run for a local office.”
…
But Omer Abid of west suburban Lyons said now, more than ever, Muslims need a voice in national politics.
“We can’t sit back. We must speak up,” Abid said. “The current president led America to war in Iraq, which was a huge disaster for the world. We can’t stay silent.”
Last time I checked, most of the world, Muslim and otherwise, took a powder, and has shown little interest in doing Iraq or the United States any favors. Notable exceptions to include those Muslims and Muslim nations that have been actively subverting progress and supporting murder in Iraq. But whatever.
The weekend’s not over. Here’s an idea for the Sun Times. How about scouting out some Muslims who recognize that we were right to invade Iraq and Afghanistan, who want us to stay to finish the job, who recognize that we have a bitter fight ahead. They exist. I don’t know if they exist among that crowd of 40,000, but they exist. I’ve met some. Not all U.S. citizens though. Some of them are Iraqis.
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 10:21 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2007
3 Responses to “Vote For Mo”
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September 2nd, 2007 at 10:38 pm
“The current president led America to war in Iraq, which was a huge disaster for the world. We can’t stay silent.”
Seems to me they’ve been pretty damned silent through a whole long laundry list of Muslim atrocities. They’re only “not silent” when the hated infidel dares to complain about them.
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:17 am
As long as they are Muslims who understand their first allegiance is to the people and interests of the United States. Also, as long as they aren’t the kind of Muslims who would applaud at … pretty much anything Howard Dean or Keith Ellison have to say.
I agree wholeheartedly, Jules. Indeed, I’ll go further, and point out that if you substitute “people” for “Muslim” in those two sentences, it is equally true, and equally inoffensive.
Unless one is a Dhimmicrat, of course. But that’s hardly a reason to reject this bit of sage wisdom.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
“It’s a family event full of spiritual and educational seminars.”
Did they have any public hangings or other kinds of executions? The kiddies really get off on that! I hear that Iran is pioneering in the use of cranes as mobile gallows. Schedule a hanging and they’ll show up at the appointed time and for a few extra bucks they’ll supply the one to be executed.