On Thursday, June 7, 2018 the Prince George’s County Muslim Council (PGCMC) collaborated with the office of C. Anthony Muse for a special strategy session at his campaign base in Largo, Maryland. The overarching theme of this meeting was keeping one’s word, both for candidates and constituents, and figuring out the best way to mobilize.
Prior to attending a debate with other candidates for Prince George’s county executive, State Senator Muse addressed Muslim constituents to confirm his plans to support the community. In this intimate meeting, he clarified that his campaign is built on a platform of understanding the issues that can be faced, as a community of faith, and his own experiences as a person of faith.
According to PGCMC, Senator Muse, a native of Maryland and pastor, has proven himself to be the most aligned with the values of the Muslim community, leading to his endorsement over other candidates.
“[I want to be] known as, not just on election day, but when my term is up. I think it most important that when my term is ended, you stand there and say ‘he did what he said he was going to do” said Muse.
“The norm is: I don’t expect them to keep their word and I want to change that,” he stated.
“..I have a history. [T]hose in my county who know me as [senator], then you know my word is my word, even if that means I have to take some hits from the press,” he stressed.
While Senator Muse gave his address, Paul Monteiro, a former staffer on the Obama campaign who is also running for county executive, stopped into the meeting and the sense of camaraderie between the two was evident. Observing the audience, it was clear how the amicable display was something that was appreciated by those in attendance.
One attendee, a recent graduate from the University of Virginia, expressing her support, mentioned how impressed with the senator’s platform she was. She shared her apprieciation of his plans to uplift the Muslims of Prince George’s county, as well as his general focus on community.
Speaking with Jameel Aalim-Johnson, president of the Prince George’s County Muslim Council, it was clear that the continued focus this election season is getting individuals into office that will uplift the Muslim community.
“It’s one thing to endorse someone, but another to get them elected into office,” said Aalim-Johnson.”
Aalim-Johnson said that with Eid approaching, the Muslim community should be taking advantage of the large numbers of people to rally support for Senator Muse’s campaign.
During the discussion, Wayne Clark, a longtime campaign advisor of Senator Muse, mentioned that “since 1971, it has essentially been the same nine families that have controlled how things are distributed.”
Additionally, he stated “currently, there are approximately 909,053 residents in Prince George’s county but only about 90,000 people consistently voting.” Previously, there were issues with the number of polling places and other administrative aspects that may have stopped people from voting.
“Most people want change, not everyone is registered,” said Clark. A strategy being employed by Muse’s team is informing residents that they do not necessarily need to be registered to vote. “What most do not know is that residents in Prince George’s county specifically, can participate in early voting, even when they are not registered to vote, he revealed. Now, the goal for both Senator Muse and the PGCMC is to get individuals who historically do not vote, to vote.
In May 2017, there was a Presidential executive order that repealed the Johnson Amendment, which had essentially forbidden people from discussing politics in their place of worship. Now, with that places of worship were no longer separated from issues of the state, essentially forbidding people from discussing politics in their place of worship. While this had never truly been implemented in most places, this issue is now moot and so, Clark is encouraging individuals to advocate for Senator Muse at their local houses of worship this election season.
President Jameel Aalim-Johnson urged Prince George’s county residents to participate in early voting from June 14th-June 21st, and if unable to, he reminded the community that general election day is on June 26th.
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