US campaign to target the Muslim vote

Eyeing to empower the sizable minority ahead of next year’s presidential elections, a leading US Muslim advocacy group has launched a campaign to boost political participation of American Muslims.

“We’re calling on all American Muslims to fulfill their civic responsibility by doing their part in the upcoming presidential election,” Robert McCaw, Government Affairs Coordinator at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a statement  e-mailed to OnIslam.net.

“We are committed to making sure our community’s voice is heard in this critical election cycle.”

The “Muslim Vote” campaign aims to empower American Muslims to actively participate in the presidential elections.

It includes a presidential voter guide, an online voter registration tool and a video promoting online voter registration.

The campaign also encourages Muslims to volunteer in election campaigns, host candidate forums and mobilize community members to vote in the elections.

The campaign also focuses on Muslim voters under the age of 30 who are under-represented on voter rolls.

“With large concentrations of Muslim voters in keys swing states — such as Ohio, Florida, Virginia, and Michigan — the American Muslim community has the potential to be influential in determining the next president of the United States,” said McCaw.

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization.

Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties and empower American Muslims.

Although there are no official figures, the United States is believed to be home to between 6-8 million Muslims.

Knowledge

The campaign also seeks to help American Muslims about positions of presidential candidates.

As part of the campaign, questionnaires will be distributed to all presidential candidates.

Candidate responses will be published in CAIR’s candidate scorecards, scheduled to be released in February.

A number of Republicans hopefuls have been playing anti-Muslim cards to help lure votes.

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who is also aspiring for the White House top post, has also suggested a federal anti-Shari`ah law.

Gingrich had also called for a ban on all mosques near Ground Zero “so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia.”

Former candidate Herman Cain had also said that he would not appoint a Muslim in his administration.

Cain later modified his position by calling for an unconstitutional “loyalty” oath for Muslim appointees.

Republican aspirant Rick Santorum had also describes Islamic Shari`ah as “an existential threat” to America.

US Muslims have been sensing a growing hostility following a hearing presented by Republican representative Peter King on what he described as “radicalization” of US Muslims.

Recently, a Republican Missouri lawmaker described Islam as a disease like polio while another Alaska Rep. branded Muslims as ‘occupiers’ of American neighborhoods.

A US survey has revealed that the majority of Americans know very little about Muslims and their faith.

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CAIR launches 2012 Muslim Vote Campaign

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2011 – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today launched its 2012 “Muslims Vote” campaign designed to empower American Muslims by increasing their political capacity and presence.

CAIR’s initiative – launched two weeks before the January 3 Iowa Caucus — includes a 2012 presidential voter guide, an online voter registration tool, a video promoting online voter registration, and the Twitter hashtag “#MuslimsVote.” CAIR has also mailed all presidential candidates its 2012 election questionnaire.

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization’s non-partisan voter campaign will focus on ensuring that American Muslims actively participate in the 2012 election cycle by volunteering in election campaigns, registering to vote, hosting candidate forums, and by mobilizing other community members through “get out the vote” initiatives.

CAIR will also pay special attention to Muslim voters under the age of 30 who — like all Americans of that age — are under-represented on voter rolls.

“We’re calling on all American Muslims to fulfill their civic responsibility by doing their part in the upcoming presidential election,” said CAIR Government Affairs Coordinator Robert McCaw. “We are committed to making sure our community’s voice is heard in this critical election cycle.”

“With large concentrations of Muslim voters in key swing states — such as Ohio, Florida, Virginia, and Michigan – the American Muslim community has the potential to be influential in determining the next president of the United States,” said McCaw.

Components of CAIR’s 2012 “Muslims Vote” election campaign include:

* Distributing 2012 presidential voter guides to ensure that American Muslims are knowledgeable about the candidates and their positions.

SEE: CAIR 2012 Presidential Voter Guide
http://tinyurl.com/cairvoterguide

* Registering American Muslims to vote throughout the election cycle by means of traditional and Internet-based initiatives.

SEE: CAIR’s Rock the Vote-Sponsored Online Voter Registration Tool
http://tinyurl.com/cairvotertool

Video: CAIR Guide to Online Voter Registration
http://youtu.be/kt943QF2kS8

* Distributing questionnaires to all presidential candidates. Candidate responses will be published in CAIR’s candidate scorecards, scheduled to be released in February.

SEE: CAIR’s 2012 Candidate Questionnaire
http://tinyurl.com/6sbmgba

* Distributing news items on CAIR’s Twitter account @CAIRNational using the hashtag #MuslimsVote focusing on niche news relating to Muslims and the election.

SEE: CAIR National Twitter Account
http://twitter.com/cairnational

* Reaching out to the leadership of the nation’s top four political parties.

* Promoting outreach strategies and volunteer opportunities for Muslims.

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR’s E-Mail List
http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/cairtv

CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Coordinator Robert McCaw, Tel: 202-742-6448, E-Mail: rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, E-Mail: csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail:ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations