Muslims Making Way into Politics
By Dr Ghulam M. Haniff
St. Cloud , Minnesota
At long last Muslims in America are stirring for civic involvement having watched the political spectacle from the side lines long enough. These early signs are still tentative though their participation in caucuses is giving hope for a greater engagement in the political season just getting underway.
Judging by the Internet exchange of information the subject of political involvement has been enthusiastically discussed within Muslim communities clustered across the nation.
At this point it seems that younger Muslims, both born in this country or raised here with exposure to democracy in high school and college or have been here for several decades, are much more inclined to take a stand on issues and become mobilized for action. They seem to understand the political dynamics of the nation as well as its structure and process.
President Barack Hussein Obama seems to have electrified the community with his inspiring speeches. Muslims, many raised in an atmosphere of negativism, have become highly motivated to do something. In fact, they have been moved by the slogans that “you can make a difference” and that it is a time for a “change.”
The young and rapidly growing Muslim community is eager to contribute to the welfare of the nation. Those schooled here through undergraduate years have developed a sense of an American identity with clear attachment to Islam and wish to make this nation a better place in which to live. They know quite well that the best way to serve the country is through political activism in the public square.
However, they are also bothered by the invectives hurled at Muslims, senselessly and randomly, with the rising tide of Islamophobia. Partly to fight this curse they have taken up the cudgel of activism in public life and wish to acquire allies in their struggle while serving in the civic setting.
Like the rest of the community they also believe that if a Kenyan Muslim (though a former one) can win an election to become the President of the country why not a Muslim some day. This is a rhetorical question often raised at many social gatherings. Obama is often seen by the activists as a role-model for them to emulate.
The other major factor motivating the Muslims in the direction of politics is the election of Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim to take a seat in the US Congress and remained the only one for some time until another person appeared. And that other is Indiana’s Andre Carson (D-IN) elected from Indianapolis and became an asset to Ellison. He provided additional boost to the politically emerging Muslim community.
For the Pakistani Muslims the incentive was partly a memo circulated by some India lobby activists on the Internet. It included a listing of Pakistanis and Indians in the Obama administration. For the Pakistanis it came as quite a shock to realize that they had only 4 appointments compared to 30 for the Indians.
While somewhat aware of the electoral process they pounced upon the strategy of activism as a means to rectify the deplorable disparity with the Indians. Their competition is against a tough and highly educated communal group. As usual the Pakistanis are a day late and a dollar short.
Though Pakistanis thought that they had some kind of an advantage compared to their adversary, the truth is some Indians occupy senior positions. One Indian for example, Rajiv Shah, is the Director of US AID agency, and is currently heading the Haiti relief effort, a Herculean task and a visible one.
It is embarrassing for the expatriate Pakistanis, with their smug attitude, to realize that they have been outsmarted by the Indians again. And that too in a new environment, a new culture, where the level playing field is called democracy with equal opportunities for all.
Indians, of course, are very well educated who have taken full advantage of the liberal arts training both at home and abroad. Such a background is very rare among the Pakistanis. Indian entrepreneurial activities are quite admirable and it covers the entire landscape.
Initially, Muslims were interested only in running for the Congress. They have become much more realistic now. Many of them have come to realize that the support of a major and winning party is necessary. Running under the label of the Libertarian Party or the Green Party does not serve the best interest of the candidate. Similarly, standing as a Republican in a democratic constituency will not do the trick. One individual took on the late Tom Lantos under the Republican Party label in an area where the democrats had traditionally prevailed. Twice, I might add. Needless to say he was badly trounced. Those types of foolishness are becoming less frequent.
At one time paper organizations flourished among the Muslims, particularly in the Pakistani community. Those are less common now. Unfortunately, the American Muslim Council, emerging as a powerful lobbying organization, also disappeared owing to the misbehavior of its leader. To make unrealistic claims such as “2000 for 2000” does not serve any useful purpose. This was the strategy to have 2000 Muslims run for national, state and local offices in the year 2000, a wild and preposterous claim that was totally divorced from reality.
The Minnesota model, showcased in the election of Keith Ellison, remains the best path for Muslims to emulate. The strategy must be to support an interested individual, experienced and articulate, (preferably a Muslim), running under the label of a winning party. Of course, at this point Muslims have some distance to travel and need to support anyone with prospects for winning (under the winning party label) and interested in their community.
