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AMP Report – June 26, 2007
Chicago Council Task Force Report:
Muslim American integration vital to national interest
Greater Muslim American civic and political engagement is urgently needed to prevent alienation in a community that is vital to U.S. security and relations with the Muslim World, says a report of an independent Task Force sponsored by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
The Task Force convened in February 2006, was led by Farooq Kathwari, CEO of the Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., and former Secretary of Labor and Illinois Congresswoman, Lynn Martin. It brought together a group of 32 distinguished Muslim and non-Muslim Americans to examine the Muslim American experience and provide a roadmap for accelerating Muslim American engagement in civic affairs and U.S. political life.
The Task Force report released on June 26, 2007 was titled “Strengthening America: The Civic and Political Integration of Muslim Americans.”
The Task Force report found that Muslim Americans are a well-educated, diverse group and concluded that their talents are needed to help address critical domestic and foreign policy challenges related to homeland security and U.S. relations with Muslim countries and peoples. There are opportunities for Muslim Americans to expand their contributions to national security and continue to take the lead in encouraging greater civic participation, leadership development, and institution building within their community. Non-Muslim groups and government leaders can work to better recognize Muslim American contributions to national security, improve collaborations with Muslim American institutions, and provide greater opportunities for young Muslim Americans.
Many Muslim Americans responded helpfully to September 11 and condemned other terrorist acts. Despite this response, many Americans continue to view Muslim Americans with suspicion in the post September 11 environment. The present climate of mistrust and the lack of engagement threaten to marginalize and potentially alienate some elements among Muslim Americans.
To combat this trend it is critical that Muslim American leaders and institutions continue and amplify their condemnations of extremism and terrorism and continue to strengthen efforts to prevent radical activity within the community. National leaders and the media in turn need to communicate these endeavors to the public.
“The continued isolation and mistrust of Muslim Americans since 9/11 is a recipe for a national crisis,” stated Secretary Martin. “It is in the interest of all Americans to build trust and rapidly bring Muslim Americans into the social and political mainstream to strengthen our democratic institutions and to improve homeland security”
The Task Force report pointed out: “The integration of minority groups, women, and immigrants into our civic and political processes has been slow, challenging work in the past. Yet its practical and symbolic importance cannot be underestimated. Muslims, like many other immigrant groups, came to the United States in search of religious and political freedom, in need of refuge, and in hopes of prosperity. The tragic events of September 11 and their aftermath have challenged our security, put the dream of America to the test for Muslim Americans, and called our values as a nation into question.
“Yet with today’s critical foreign and domestic policy challenges, there is an urgent need for Muslim Americans to enter more fully into the national discourse. This is first and foremost the responsibility of Muslim Americans themselves, but also of the government, the policy establishment, the media, and other major American institutions. By working together to ensure that Muslim American voices are heard, we will not only increase our own security, but make our foreign policy a truer expression of who we are as a nation and reaffirm our commitment to the ideal of E pluribus unum (one out of many).”
To accelerate Muslim Americans’ civic and political engagement, the Task Force recommends:
1. Muslim American leaders continue to take the lead in encouraging greater civic participation, leadership development, and institution building within their community.
2. Non-Muslim groups and government leaders work to better recognize Muslim American contributions to national security, improve collaborations with Muslim American institutions, and provide greater opportunities for young Muslim Americans in government service.
3. Media organizations and Muslim American groups jointly sponsor seminars to address concerns and deepen relationships and understanding.
4. Leading research and policy institutes deepen their work on Islam and Muslim communities and create partnerships with Muslim American institutions.
5. An American Diversity Dialogue be established among Muslim and non-Muslim leaders to examine critical issues in Muslim American integration.
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