Study: US Muslims want greater role in politics

By: Mohamed Ali

DETROIT: A newly released study of one of the largest Muslim communities in the United States revealed that even the most religiously traditional Muslims believe they should participate in American politics.

The survey disclosed the majority of Muslims hold moderate views.

The survey of 13-hundred Detroit-area Muslims is the latest to show that the isolationism that once pervaded the immigrant Muslim community is dissipating. Muslims ranked protecting their civil rights as a top public policy issue, according to the study.

“A couple of decades ago, Muslims were, for the most part, internally focused and had very few involvements at any level” with American civic life, said Ihsan Bagby, a University of Kentucky professor who conducted the study last summer but has just released the findings.

Government scrutiny of American Muslims after the 9/11 terror attacks has drawn even more members of the community into the public arena to defend themselves and their faith.

The project was conducted for the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, a Michigan think-tank that specializes in Muslim issues.

Overall, 78 percent of respondents said they strongly supported political involvement. 73 percent said Muslims should work more closely with non-Muslims on community service projects.

The Muslim community numbers up to eight million and has been becoming more politically organized as Muslims seek greater influence within American politics.

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Imam Hussain (A)’s supreme sacrifice commemorated in US

WASHINGTON: First Ashra (10 days) of the month of Muharram concluded in the United States on Ashoura with majalis and coffin & Hazrat Abbas (AS)’ standards processions to commemorate the everlasting sacrifice in Karbala of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) along with his 72 companions, which was aimed at survival of Islam and human dignity.

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