Talib Karim, Chairman of Muslim Democratic Caucus of DC, announces his group’s endorsement for DC mayor and other positions in front of Masjid Muhammad. Photo by Farkhunda Ali.
Thirty DC-Metro Muslims and non-Muslims attended a press conference called by the Muslims Democratic Caucus (MDC) of DC at Masjid Muhammad on Sunday, August 22 at 5PM to deliver results from recently held straw poll.
The Caucus announced the candidates that will be supported by Muslims either by casting votes, financially, or through volunteerism in the DC-Metro Region.
The Caucus utilized the Islamic agreement process to conclude results on endorsements. Members of the Caucus maintain the view that Muslims should participate in a “bloc vote” in order to influence change and show the sway of a community.
Endorsements include Douglass Sloan for Delegate to the US House of Representatives, Vincent Gray for Mayor of the District of Columbia, Kwame R. Brown for the Chairman of the Council, Phil Mendelson for the Al-Large Member of the Council, Jeff Smith for the Ward 1 Member of the Council, Mary Cheh for Ward 3 Member of the Council, Harry Thomas Jr. for Ward 5 Member of the Council, and Kelvin J. Robinson for Ward 6 Member of the Council.
All of these candidates received more than fifty percent of the votes with Cheh topping the support to 100%.
“I’m happy to accept the endorsement. More people of color, poor communities, and families are under attack. The changes in Ward 1 will determine which direction DC will go,” said Jeff Smith, candidate for Ward 1 Member of the Council.
Smith pledges to make more affordable housing, support good neighborhood public schools, initiate programs supporting families, and maintain an economic and cultural diversity in the city.
The Caucus unanimously voted for Michael Brown, Councilmember At-Large in the past. Since then, Councilmember Brown hired a Muslim in his administration.
The poll held on Friday, August 20 drew one hundred Muslims where they reached a consensus slate of candidates for the DC Democratic Primary elections. The Caucus’ members said this poll and iftar dinner was attended by all of the Democratic candidates running for office in DC’s primary except for current Mayor Adrian Fenty.
“This was the first ever city-wide iftar attended by almost 100% elected officials seeking office,” said Talib Karim, chairman of the Caucus.
Karim said Muslims share involvement in the history making of DC. Karim called President Obama’s elections as a “historical time” where the first African American born to Muslim parents ran for the highest office in the country.
Muslims have the obligation to involve in a democratic process where the vote serves their best interest, according to Karim.
Coming to a consensus and voting in a “unified voice” are Islamic conditions shared by Caucus members.
There are substantial issues affecting the Muslims in the city. Accommodation for female taxi cab drivers and Muslim students taking one-hour leave for Friday prayers are some of the many obstacles facing the city Muslims.
Ajab Abdus-Samad, a DC taxi cab driver for more than thirty years became involved in politics to affect a change in DC Taxi laws. Abus-Samad said taxi cab drivers in DC don’t receive equal pay as other jurisdictions in MD and VA.
A Muslim Imam, businessman, and supporter of Masjid Muhammad, Safir Rabb, explained that governance in Islam promotes engagement of men, women and children in the political process.
“Believers govern their affairs through mutual participation,” said Rabb.
An estimated twenty percent of the District’s residents reside in a home with Muslims or are Muslims, according to the Caucus.
“It is important that we let all of the communities take part in the election process. Endorsement is a way of targeting what you want in a specific community,” said Franklin Garcia, reporter from the DC-Democratic State Committee.
Garcia said mainstream view of Muslims will change through participation in the political process to broaden exposure of Muslims and overcome the negative prejudices in society.
Carl Thomas, vice chairman of the Caucus said Muslims took this step to be recognized by the DC officials as a unified body. “Those who voted will be able to solicit support of political officials.”
Nationally known performing artist known to the young generation of American Muslims supports Muslims’ engagement to address the challenges facing the residents of DC.
Joshua Salaam of the Native Deen said Muslims can show what they can offer to society to solve “tangible social and economic problems” in many ways.
“Through political process, people will see the benefits of Islam and Islamic activism,” said Salaam.
Supporters of the idea of increased participation of Muslims in the political process came from various regions of the US.
The director of special events of the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Imam F. Qasim Ibn Ali Khan stated that Muslims need to get involved in order to improve human quality.
“We are compelled to inject morality into politics. Our society will deteriorate if we don’t insert the values our parents and other rightly guided people have held,” added Imam Khan.
The caucus will make their endorsement matter through aggressive and intense undertaking, said Amin Muslim, secretary of the Caucus. Until the day of elections on September 14th, Caucus members and volunteers will be involved in phone banking, door-to-door personal visits, and public awareness.
The MDC-DC was formed in 2008 with the support of DC Democrat State Committee during President’s Obama’s elections. The Caucus advocates Muslims participating in democratic elections through a process of consensus of the Muslims. The organization aligns itself with candidates who share values important for the improvement of Americans, including the interests of the Muslims.
Comments powered by CComment