Can Kerry convince Muslim voters?
American Muslims Differ With Bush, But Democrat Must Reach Out
San Jose Mercury News, Javed Ellahie, Posted: Sep 27, 2004
The 2004 election could be one of the closest elections ever, and the candidate who wins may yet again be the one who receives fewer overall votes. American Muslim organizations endorsed President Bush in 2000, and the Muslim vote could play a decisive role in 2004.
New California Media and Amnesty International recently conducted a joint poll of Americans of Arab, Iranian and Pakistani descent, who number 1.8 million and are concentrated in the ``swing vote'' states. The poll indicates that 73 percent of Arab-Americans and 78 percent of Muslim Americans oppose President Bush on Iraq. Translating this into Kerry votes on Election Day depends on how Kerry addresses the concerns of American Muslims.
This is the question American Muslims ask: Is Kerry a leader who is willing to recognize that American Muslims now live in an America far different from the one that preceded Sept. 11, 2001? This is an America where Muslims are scrutinized, stereotyped, subjected to regular visits by the feds, strip-searched, jailed and, if lucky, deported.
This is an America that denies visas to Muslim travelers unless a security clearance is obtained. Those who do arrive are questioned, their bags searched and their magazines, notes, wallets, address books and correspondences read. This is an America where Muslims are afraid to donate to the sick children, the widows and elderly patients lest the donations be deemed to be funds intended for `terrorist'' organizations. In short, this is an America where Muslims fear a repeat of the shameful internment of the Japanese in World War II.
The ultimate question is: "Mr. Kerry, are you afraid of being labeled a Muslim sympathizer because you express your concern about violations of their civil rights? Are you afraid to enter a Mosque, or attend an event hosted by an American Muslim organization because some might label you as a
`terrorist' sympathizer?''
According to a "Muslims for Bush'' Web site ( www.muslimsforbush.com), Kerry has already answered this question. Kerry visited a Massachusetts mosque in 1996 and gave a speech there with the understanding that his Senate campaign would receive $10,000. Upon his visit, it's reported that
Kerry did not invite any media, ``causing speculation that he did not want the media present.'' Kerry took the $10,000 and ``never came back, nor followed up with the mosque.''
American Muslim delegates attending the Democratic National Convention lamented the lack of concern shown for the Muslim voter by the Kerry campaign. Hanif Butt, a Muslim of Kenyan descent summed it up: ``They don't see Kerry coming out for the Muslim people. He needs to know that we Americans are fellow Americans.''
Kerry can turn this perception around by personally addressing the concern of American Muslims, attending Muslim events, visiting mosques and encouraging other Democratic contenders to do the same. The holy month of Ramadan, in which a large number of Muslims attend mosques and religious
events, starts on Oct. 16 and provides a rare opportunity for Kerry to do so, just prior to the November elections.
Kerry won three medals in Vietnam. There are those who shamelessly compare his wounds as akin to a shaving cut rather than commending and saluting his bravery. While a show of support for American Muslims does not require the same courage and it will not earn him a Purple Heart, Kerry's failure to aggressively seek out every American Muslim voter could cost him the White House.
JAVED ELLAHIE is an attorney who practices in San Jose. He wrote this for the Mercury News.
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