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The Peninsula – April 12, 2007
Immigrant Muslims keen on political activities in US
Doha - The new-generation immigrant Muslims in the US are evincing keen interests in the country's political activities.
While the early American Muslims were more worried about the problems faced by the Muslims in other countries, the new generation has their focus on politically empowering the community within the US, said M J Khan, member of Houston City Council.
Khan, a Pakistan immigrant, was delivering a talk on "US political process and Muslim participation in public life", at the College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, yesterday.
Since Muslims in general are not concentrated on a particular state, the US government's Iraq policy is unlikely to influence the presidential elections. Again, the Muslims are not in agreement on any particular policy in the US, he said.
Khan recalled that he got elected to Houston Council from a constituency where 97 per cent voters are from different culture and faith.
All across the US, at least a dozen Muslims have been elected to various public offices. The State legislative body and the US Congress also have Muslim members, he said.
The US system offers ample scope for discussion and debates on the policies of the government. In f act, the US government's decision to intervene in Iraq was unanimously passed by the Congress.
However, a recent national survey had proved hardly 30 per cent of the people were supporting it. Like Vietnam War, discussion on Iraq will also continue even after the term of the current President, Khan said.
On the presidential election, Khan said money plays a huge role in the election campaign. The influential lobbying groups also play a key role in the campaign front. Compared to young generation, it is the senior citizens who are actively participating in the election process, he said.
As a religion, Islam enjoys total freedom in the US. "We do not find any difficulties in setting up mosques. In 1990 Houston had no Mosques. Now, we have enough Masjids. Houston is dotted with eight Islam Schools.", Khan said
The young generation is really dedicated to learning Islam and is active in the activities of Mosques. But it is also true that the community as a whole are upholding the traditional faith.
For they live in a society where Western values are predominant. At least some of them are being influenced by Channel-Hollywood culture.
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