Source: Kansas City Star

Wire Service: AP

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/9766447.htm

On September 26, 2004 the Kansas City Star/AP reported, "voting is a civic duty for all Americans and a religious duty for Muslims, speakers said at the Heartland Muslim Council's annual dinner... The dinner's keynote speaker, Imam Omar Hazim of the Islamic Center of Topeka, Kan., said the Quran's concept of 'mutual consultation' has parallels in the political process. 'Anyone subject to the mutual consultation should have the ability to express themselves' Hazim said. 'To conduct your affairs as a Muslim without mutual consultation is a violation of the laws established by God.' "