Will the Muslim Vote Have Any Role to Play?
By Azher Quader
Executive Director
Community Builders Chicago (CBC)
Chicago, IL
With less than two weeks left for an election that can change the course of the Obama presidency, the question can well be asked if the Muslim vote has any role to play. Implicit within that query lies the difficult issue of knowing whether a community which so often stays on the sidelines, is willing now to move and break its bonds of apathy. Clearly the power to make a difference resides within it. What can motivate it? What will mobilize it? There are many unknowns.
Part of it is indifference about which we have written before. Part of it is ignorance and we have tried to cure it by providing opportunities for learning through the educational forums and workshops that we have held recently and will continue to hold again next weekend. Part of it is the comfort zones we live in and our inability to feel the pain and anguish of those who suffer from the outcomes of these elections, in the aftermath of which sometimes bad public policy is enacted.
As Muslims we are often reminded in the Qur’an to be thankful for His favors and grateful for His mercy. Without question we are a very privileged community in America. Privileged to have our freedom, our peace, and our security. Privileged to enjoy the fruits of our labor and earn a decent living. Privileged to demand our rights in a court of law and receive due process. Privileged to reach our fullest potential and expand our horizons through educational explorations. Privileged to have access to quality healthcare which draws the envy of people living around the globe. Privileged to be citizens of a country where so many come to live in the shadows and so many dare to arrive risking their lives. Yet our expression of gratitude is so poorly on display. We live lives consumed with rights devoid of responsibilities. Preoccupied with pleasures, uncaring of the pain that plagues our neighbors.
There is still time for us to redeem ourselves and be thankful. Still time for us to show gratitude for the favors of the Divine. We are children of destiny living in a moment of history with enormous possibilities. We can either choose to respond to the call of the hour and participate in the political process or remain preoccupied with our self indulgent lives that betray indifference and ingratitude.
Community Builders will once more provide an opportunity for learning the positions of the candidates running for statewide office in Illinois:
When: Sun Oct 31,2010, 10am-1pm
Where: Islamic Foundation
300 W. High Ridge, Villa Park, IL 60181
What: Voter Education Workshop Issues: Economy; Health Care Reform; Immigration; War on Terror; Ground Zero Mosque.
Panelists: State Rep. Paul Froehlich, Dist 56
Laura Leon, Coalition for Better Health Care
Abdul Malik Mujahid , World Parliament for Religions
Kamran Memon Esq., Muslims for a Safe America
Moderator: Ali Ahmed, MD, PhD.
Want to learn more? Please join the workshop at Islamic Foundation next Sun.
Remember Early Voting is open till Oct 28. For Early Voting sites in Chicago, click here. For Suburban Cook County, click here. There are plenty of sites to choose from. Visit http://www.elections.il.gov. to find out more.
Election day is Tuesday, November 2 .
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