Abu-Ghazalah Seeks Election in San Francisco

February 11, 2004

Source: The Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0402060274feb06,1,6120071.story

On February 11, 2004 The Chicago Tribune reported, "The name, Maad Abu-Ghazalah, doesn't exactly trip off the tongue, but that may prove a minor worry for the candidate running for Congress in one of America's most open-minded cities. When Abu-Ghazalah went door-to-door, greeting prospective voters, his eyes beaming, his light skin slightly tanned against his perfectly pressed business suit, there was often the same reaction. 'With this name, I would say this guy doesn't have a chance,' said Dan Briesach, after opening his front door and glancing at Abu-Ghazalah's campaign literature... Without a flinch, Abu-Ghazalah replied matter-of-factly: 'I was born in Palestine. I live in San Francisco and graduated from Notre Dame. I'm running for Congress because I'm concerned about our foreign policy.' Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Muslims have become politically active like never before, and they are hoping to influence elections in a number of states, including Michigan, which holds its caucuses Saturday."