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I am Talib I. Karim, a health policy attorney and Chairman of the Muslim Democratic Caucus of DC.  The Muslim Democratic Caucus of the District of Columbia was formed in 2008, during the historic election of President Barack Obama. As an organization, we represent the interests of the estimated 20% of DC residents who are Muslim and/or lives in a household with a Muslim.  There are more than a dozen regular Muslim places of worship in the District from the oldest Islamic center, Masjid Muhammad in Ward 5 to weekly gatherings of Muslims on the campuses of nearly every University in the District including Georgetown, American, and Howard University.

According to Islamic tenants, Muslims participating in democratic elections are encouraged to reach a consensus on candidates to support and vote as a bloc. This is based upon the principle of solving our affairs through “shurah bainakum” or mutual advice and consensus.  Guided by our faith, on Friday, August 20, the Muslim Democratic Caucus of DC held a candidates forum and straw poll to develop a consensus slate of candidates for the DC Democratic Primary elections.  An estimated 100 or more members of the District’s Muslim community and others attended the forum including Muslim lawyers, religious leaders, physicians, taxi drivers, parents, teachers, and students. 

All mayoral candidates but DC Mayor Adrian Fenty attended the forum.  This was personally disappointing as the forum was held at Howard Law School, where I met the Mayor and his wife as students.  That said, after hearing from the candidates and tallying the ballots cast, DC Council Chairman Vince Gray earned 83% of the Mayoral straw poll vote, and Mayor Fenty received not even a single vote.

Now what are the reasons for this result.  Only the Almighty knows for sure, but I estimate that three principals guided the vote of the Muslim community that night.  First is faith.  As a small community in the District, Muslims are concerned about our ability to practice our faith as we’ve been taught, whether it be our children who have found difficulty in taking 5-10 minutes for prayer on their own time during school, Muslim women who have been told to take off their hair coverings in order to take a photo to obtain a drivers license, or Muslim men who are denied leave from work for Friday obligatory worship service.  Vince Gray promised that his administration would respect our faith and that we would not have to worry about issues of religious freedom, which appears to be at the root of the controversy we see in New York City.

Next, Muslims were motivated by the desire to protect our families.  We are particularly concerned with laws that make it difficult for fathers to take an active role in their families.  As a father and founder of a social services organization, Vince Gray spoke to our community about his understanding that families are paramount for the development of the District.  We believe as Gray does, that school reform cannot succeed without reform and support of families in DC.  And we look forward to working with his administration to make this a reality.

Finally, Muslims have seen in Gray, someone who we believe is fair and open to receive advice, even if it’s critical.  Vince has said that in his Administration, Muslim professionals would have a fair shot at being hired for cabinet posts, agency managers, and other positions in the District government.  He also suggested that all qualified Muslim businesses, not just a few, would have equal access to DC contracts.  Moreover, he has committed to meeting with all faith communities on a regular basis, not just during the elections.  We believe that Gray is sincere, and we look forward to holding him to his word. 

And if Gray like Mayor Fenty, goes astray from these commitments and turns his back on us, we plan to do the same in the next election.  However, if he stays true to his commitments, then we look forward to a long and productive relationship with the man who we pray will be the next Mayor of the District of Columbia.  Thank you.

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Source: Muslim Democratic Caucus of the District of Columbia. To give feedback or for more information, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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