US Muslims annual conference focuses on election

By: Mohamed Ali

ROSEMONT, Ill.: American Muslims’ largest annual gathering emphasized the significance of voting as the Muslim community struggles for political recognition amid a debate over how best to make their voices heard in the presidential election and build relations with other faiths.

The three-day conference, the third for the Islamic Society of North America, an umbrella association representing Muslim groups and mosques nationwide, since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, was opened Friday.

Sheik Muhammad Nur Abdullah, president of the Islamic Society, opened the session with a prayer asking God to “heal the wound from 9/11,'” and urged US Muslims to build relations with other faiths as a model of tolerance for fellow Muslims overseas.

More than 30,000 people were expected to attend the meeting.

Muslims have sizable populations in swing states such as Ohio, Michigan and Florida and hope this will help them gain visibility in the tight presidential race.

Already, they have been pleased with their representation at the Republican and Democratic conventions, according to secretary general of the Islamic Society Sayyid Syeed. Muslims gave invocations or benedictions at both events.

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