this is a good news. we must do our part in making this change a success.
New Power of the Muslim Vote
November 16, 2006
By Terry Walz, CNI Staff
A new analysis of voting patterns in Virginia, where Republican incumbent George Allen narrowly lost to Democratic newcomer Jim Webb, reveals that the Muslim vote may have significantly contributed to the winning margin, which by last count was 9,326 votes.
The analysis was presented Monday at the National Press Club by Mahdi Bray, executive director of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, and Mukit Hossein, Director of its Center for Electoral Empowerment. According to Bray, 86% of all Muslims registered in Virginia or 51,350 voted in the election, 92% of which voted for Democratic candidates (47,092), and 8% voted for Republican (4,258). In addition, almost 8,000 Muslims voted for the first time. Mr. Bray said, “Since most Muslims voted for Democratic candidates, there is no doubt that Jim Webb owes his narrow victory, at least in part, to the pivotal Muslim voter turnout in Virginia.” There were at least four other races where large Muslim voter turnouts were a critical factor in Democratic Party victories.
The Muslim American Society has worked hard in the last two years in getting large Muslim turnouts at the polls. This has been done through more extensive voter registration efforts, a greater educational campaign to inform Muslims about how to and for whom to vote, as well as to prep them on the issues. It has also improved efforts to mobilize Muslim voters on election day. By revamping its website and making it more interactive, the group was able to register some 42,000 new voters across the country. Special “candidates nights” were organized in Muslim centers and mosques that introduced potential Muslim voters to the candidates themselves. In northern Virginia, more than 1,200 people turned up at several of the candidates nights at local mosques to listen to candidates talk about the issues.
MAS has also set up “informational” meetings with local candidates so that they can be informed of what particular issues are on the minds of Muslim voters. More than six major issues were identified this election year, including erosion of civil rights, the need for immigration reform, affordable health care and foreign policy bias.
The electoral empowerment center, under the energetic direction of Hossain, who came aboard only several months ago, was able to identify the key states elections that needed particular attention. States that were targeted were those where senate races were close, which, in addition to Virginia, included Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Tennessee, Missouri, and Washington. States with large Muslim populations, such as Texas, Florida, and New Jersey were also targeted.
In addition, Hossain was able to mobilize hundreds of Muslim volunteers at the polls and worked hard to see that many Muslim shut-ins could get to the polls. Taxicab drivers from across the metropolitan Washington area were mobilized to drive Muslims at no cost to polls in Virginia and elsewhere. He mentioned that there was “unprecedented enthusiasm in the community during and after the elections.”
Packets of information were sent to Muslim centers in those states, outlining the issues that were important, how to register more voters, how to vote absentee, and specific information on local campaigns. MAS also sought coalitions with other local organizations. One group that was contacted was the former Howard Dean supporter group called DC for Democracy which, according to member Michael Shor, provided extensive numbers of volunteers to work with CEE in northern Virginia to getting out the Muslim vote.
Bray expressed his pride in the fact that Minnesota elected the first Muslim representative to Congress, believing Keith Ellison was the first of what would be many. “The Muslim community,” Bray explained, “should not be a marginal player in U.S. elections.” With 55 chapters in 38 states, it is “looking forward,” as Bray says, “to the 2008 election.”