AMT Engages ICNA & ISNA in Planning for 2008 US Election
The most dramatic step toward nationwide Muslim unity occurred during the annual Labor Day Convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) held near Chicago 's O'Hare airport. At the end of the remarks to an audience of more than ten thousand Muslims, Agha Saeed announced that the American Muslim Political Coordination Council had decided to put aside all other campaign issues and recommend bloc voting by Muslims in the presidential elections. He said the Council, after interviewing the principal candidates, would announce its recommendations for the presidency two weeks before the voting.
Saeed brought the audience to its feet by declaring, "We are not fighting. We are united. And two weeks before the election, we will make up our collective mind, and issue and advisory for the presidential candidates."
Since 2003, the American Muslim Political Coordination Council (AMPCC) has been expended and renamed the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT).
Today, the AMT represents the largest American Muslim organizations which include American Muslim Alliance (AMA), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance of North America (MANA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Student Association - National (MSA-N), and United Muslims of America (UMA). Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) are affiliated with AMT as observers.
Over the years the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT) has developed a four-step process of community outreach, education and involvement.
- Planning and Coordination among major Muslim organizations
- Consultation with Muslim scholars and thinker
- Engaging group-affiliated and unaffiliated Muslim activists
- Organizing grassroots activities in the heart of Muslim communities
A significant part of community outreach and organizing is done at various conventions. Historically, these conventions have played an important role in the development of the American Muslim political agenda and action plan.
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