Whom should American Muslims vote for? Republicans, Democrats or the Green Party

Whom should American Muslims vote for? Republicans, Democrats or the Green Party

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Wakil Ansari

In the 2000 presidential elections, many Muslims, including me, championed the cause of the Republican Party. Disillusioned by Bushs support for Israel, the War on Terror, the USA Patriot Act, racial profiling, roundups and detentions in our community, I now support the Green Party. If you look at the platform of the Green Party, you will realize that Muslim Americans have a lot to gain from supporting it.

In the 2000 presidential elections most American Muslims, including Pakistani Americans, voted for Republican George Bush. I was one of those who championed the cause of the Republican Party. Many Muslims who are Democrats crossed party lines and voted Republican after Muslim organizations pointed out the enthusiasm that Joe Lieberman (Al Gores running mate) was generating in the Israeli rightwing.

After September 11th, it is clear that this Republican Administration, with the USA Patriot Act, racial profiling, the war on Iraq, and the unflinching support of the Israeli right, brims with right-wing Christian zeal.

This election American Muslims must decide which party hates them less. But its a close call. Democrats have supported the Republican president on his assault on civil liberties through the Patriot Act, the resolution of support for Israel resolution, the war on Iraq and so on.

The one party that I can claim genuine enthusiasm for is the Green Party. Ralph Nader has had a long career as an advocate for the cause of working people in this country. A few years ago he founded the Green Party as an alternative, and I have no doubt that this party is going to become a major player in electoral politics in the coming years. In the last elections, it took a significant number of voters away from the Democrats. Its very presence exerts a pressure on the Democratic Party to clearly define its liberal values.

If you look at the platform of the Green Party you will realize that Muslim Americans have a lot to gain from supporting it. If they were in power they would not have voted for the USA Patriot Act, the Israel resolution and the war on Iraq.

For Muslims in America to count as a political force we must find value in voter registration, membership of a political party, volunteer for candidates, and fund-raising.

2002-10-18

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Urdu

Urdu Times

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Whom should American Muslims vote for? Republicans, Democrats or the Green Party

Rehan Ansari

born-digital

article

In the 2000 presidential elections, many Muslims, including me, championed the cause of the Republic

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no

2002-10-18