'Rock the Muslim Vote' Forums Draw Candidates for Discussion About Key Issues

October 14, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council

http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=717

Last weekend, the Muslim Public Affairs Council took part in three election townhall forums on the East and West Coasts in an effort to educate Muslim American voters on key issues.

The forums also allowed attendees the opportunity to engage with candidates running for local, state, and national offices as well as representatives from the presidential campaigns about pressing issues facing our country.

BOSTON, MA

Nearly 100 Bostonians came out to the Islamic Center of Wayland on Sunday, where Dr. Adil Najam, Frederick S. Pardee Professor for Global Public Policy at Boston University moderated this first-ever voter education forum. Dr. Najam earned a share of the Nobel Peace Price with former Vice President Al Gore in 2007 and other scientists on an international climate change council. Najam is also a go-to expert on the Muslim world for NPR, CNN, and other news outlets.

Government Relations Director Safiya Ghori-Ahmad and Community Development Director Haris Tarin also led a discussion about the six issues featured in MPAC's "Activate '08 Voter Guide" to the 2008 election. These issues include national security and civil rights, healthcare, the economy, the Iraq war, immigration, and U.S.-Muslim world relations.