Editorial: Encouraging Greater Civic Participation for Muslim Americans

January 1, 2003

Source: The Kansas City Star

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/4850303.htm

On January 1, 2003 The Kansas City Star printed an editorial by Lewis Diuguid that stated, "on Christmas Eve... Adults and children with the Crescent Peace Society and the American Muslim Council-Heartland Chapter donated and served holiday dinners to men at the homeless shelter... Jason Erb, director of government affairs with the Council on American-Islamic Relations... wants Muslims to go public to dispel myths and share their perspective about their faith. The council also is sending books, DVDs and videotapes to 16,000 libraries to help educate people about Muslims... 'You can't hide from the problem,' Erb said. 'The only way is to encourage greater participation in public and civic life.'"