Muslim Democrats make political impact despite negative attacks

[Violet_Crumble]

I'm asking for a little bit of mod leeway on this OP. I've already posted it in GD-P http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6770019&mesg_id=6770019 but think that because of a conversation in a current thread here about American Muslims, it's well worth posting it here as well

The lilting sound of the Koran, sung in haunting Arabic, rang through the unlikely setting of a basement hotel conference room. A local imam intoned the verses, exhorting the audience of Muslim Democrats to reject Satan and give thanks to Allah.

Then a troop of Boy Scouts strode onto stage carrying the American flag and the entire room stood up, many with hands over heart, as the Star-Spangled Banner was sung with equal gusto.

For the first time Muslims have banded together to hold a political gathering as a united body at a Democratic convention. The event in Denver - called the American Muslim Democratic caucus - was the brainchild of retired Texan doctor, Inayat Lalani.

It could not have come at a more unusual time for Muslims in America. Their community is still suffering from suspicion in an age of the war on terror and the conflict in Iraq, but there is also an intense internet whispering campaign portraying Obama - who is a devout Christian - as a Muslim.

That has led to anger among Muslim Democrats that the mere accusation of being a Muslim could be seen as a political negative.

"So what?" Lalani said. "He is not a Muslim and he says that. But I am a Muslim and if I was running for office would it be right to hold that against me?"

<snip>

At the Denver meeting the battle was not simply about the ballot box, it was also about fighting prejudice and expressing a genuine desire to belong.

"We have a message: Muslim Americans are as American as apple pie," Lalani said. "Ignoring us is the politics of exclusion and exclusion, I would suggest, is un-American."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/26/uselections2008.democrats20085

[LeftishBrit]

1. Important article and important points

In the UK, Muslims have *very* varied views, ranging from religious-righties to very liberal.

Here's a group of the latter sort on my own doorstep:

http://www.meco.org.uk/charter.htm

'A group of forward-looking Muslim academics, entrepreneurs, professionals, retirees, students and other Oxford residents have joined hands to set up a voluntary philanthropic association, the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford (MECO) with the objective of addressing the present and future needs of the community. In view of Oxford’s prominence as a centre of learning and its growing Muslim population, practical steps need to be undertaken now to ensure sustained progress and direction in the decades ahead.

For these reasons, MECO is dedicated to the establishment of a distinctive, progressive and pluralistic Muslim centre in Oxford. This British institution, while conforming to the original Islamic teachings of the Holy Qur’an, will be multi-cultural, non-sexist and inter-denominational in concept and character. It is a home for everyone who shares its inclusive, modern and enlightened vision and values. MECO’s multi-purpose centre will foster open-mindednes, tolerance and social cohesion for British Muslims by encouraging their effective integration into the UK mainstream....

Apart from its role as a haven for thinking Muslims, this institution will generate a spirit of debate and inquiry and pioneer a vibrant and inspirational Islam that is rooted in and relevant to 21st century Britain.

....
.
MECO strongly endorses gender-equity, philosophical diversity and theological pluralism while consciously working for social justice and mutual tolerance within all sectors of British society.
MECO upholds ideological tolerance, inclusiveness and coherent thinking amongst British Muslims and nurtures meaningful dialogue, interaction and harmony with all non-Muslims.

...MECO’s governing body is comprised of balanced representation from both men and women, and it reflects the broad spectrum of Oxford’s heterogeneous Muslim community.
Women are co-equal within all of MECO’s administrative structures and have full access to and equal participation in all meetings, prayers, functions and events....'

They have links with Progressive British Muslims:

www.pbm.org.uk

[LeftishBrit]

2. Another organization of interest...

www.sistersinislam.org

[Violet_Crumble]

3. That's a really interesting organisation...

This isn't the same thing, but it was very effective in trying to fight the way Australian Muslims are portrayed in most of the media.

Salam Cafe
These Muslims have no trouble laughing at themselves and the way they are misrepresented.

Salam Cafe is a 10-week comedy panel and sketch show aimed at young Australian Muslims. Clearly intended to influence perceptions of young Muslims in the current global climate, this series wants to show that being a Muslim can be as much about going to the footy as to the mosque and that Muslims have no trouble laughing at themselves and the way they are misrepresented.

There are gags about Muslims flying on one-way tickets, owning mobile phones with extra room on the SIM card and playing footy for the Essendon Bombers. Panel member Susan Carland is introduced by host Ahmed Imam as 'the Imelda Marcos of hijabs', there's a "Where's Osama" segment, and the Idol rip-off "Australian Imam, the search for Australia's most controversial Imam".

Non-Muslims, of course, could never make these jokes but it's refreshing to see Muslim comics and community leaders taking ownership of the prejudice they feel to make it funny and entertaining.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv-reviews/salam-cafe/2008/05/06/1209839627629.html

http://www.sbs.com.au/salamcafe/