—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
Washington, DC. (October 24, 2012) – The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT), joined Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) today at a Press Conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Chairman of AMT, Naeem Baig presented the following statement on behalf of AMT:
“The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT) an umbrella group representing major Muslim organizations, has chosen Friday, November 2, 2012 as the National Voter Reminder Day. As this will be the last Friday before the election day and a large number of Muslims gather for Friday prayers at their local Islamic Centers.
Efforts will be made in reaching out to the Muslims living in the swing states like Florida, Virginia and Ohio.
AMT has recommended the following steps to ensure largest Muslim voter turnout:
Maximize the Muslim Voter Turnout: AMT is urging Muslim Americans to achieve 90% voter turnout. That will enhance the impact of the Muslim vote, which could be decisive in battleground states.
Purposeful Voting: Support those candidates who support civil liberties, world peace, universal healthcare, better education, a fair immigration policy and social justice.
Vote Full Ballot: The five levels of government (federal, state, county, city, and special districts) are all interconnected, therefore, don’t limit your vote to the presidential ticket only.
Be Voter-Activist: Remind, encourage and help others to vote. All you need is your cell phone, a quiet corner and a list of friends, family members and acquaintances.
In order to motivate the American Muslim community to actively take part in the elections, AMT is requesting Imams and Community Leaders to remind their respective communities on the issues and candidates.
In the last few years the American Muslim community has been witnessing rise in the Islamophobia, which is causing a lot of distress and a reluctance in the community to get out to vote. The community feels that the two major political organizations of the country did not make much or any effort in condemning the Islamophobia and the Islamophobes. As evident from the October 22, 2012 AP story, “Informant: NYPD paid me to bait Muslims”, by Adam Goldman and Matt Apuzzo, the American Muslim community is being relentlessly subjected to Cointelpro. Topped with unprecedented surveillance of the Islamic Centers and use of agent provocateurs by the law enforcement agencies.
AMT is committed to promoting values that benefit all Americans. And, is making all effort in encouraging the American Muslim Community to use their Right to Vote because Change does not take place overnight.”
Nihad Awad, Executive Director of CAIR, and Chairman Elect of AMT and Corey Saylor, CAIR Director of Government Affairs, presented the results of the Muslim Voters survey which was sponsored by CAIR. The other representatives of AMT member organization present at the press conference were, Oussama Jammal, Executive Director of ‘Muslim American Society – Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (MAS-PACE), Shamim Islam of ‘Muslim Ummah of North America’ (MUNA) and Osama Abu Irshaid of ‘American Muslims for Palestine’ (AMP).
Oussama Jammal announced that MAS-PACE is going to remind the Muslim voters to fulfill their civic duty by going out to vote on the election day.
AMT is an umbrella organization that includes:
American Muslim Alliance (AMA), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society-Public Affairs & Civic Engagement (MAS-PACE), Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), National Association of Imams (NAIF) and United Muslims of America (UMA)
