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CAIR bulletin – January 31, 2008
Poll shows Muslim voters undecided
about White House pick
By Ibrahim Hooper
Many religious or ethnic minority groups are considered to be in one political camp or the other. But a recent survey of American Muslim voters shows they are largely undecided about their choice for president in the November elections.
The results of that national survey, commissioned by the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), also show a family-oriented, highly-educated and diverse group of voters who condemn terrorism and believe anti-Americanism in the Muslim world is a serious problem.
When contacted late last year by an independent polling firm, a random sample of 1,000 Muslim voters said they are:
Young: More than three-fourths (78 percent) of respondents said they are between the ages of 30 and 54.
Highly Educated: A majority (65 percent) said they have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Middle Class: Almost half of respondents (43 percent) said they have a household income of $50,000 or higher.
Family Oriented: More than three-fourths of (77 percent) said they are married.
Religiously Diverse: More than half (52 percent) of respondents said they attend a mosque at least once a month, but than one-fifth (21 percent) said they seldom or never attend a mosque. While 46 percent of the respondents said they consider themselves "Sunni," 38 percent said they view themselves as "just Muslims." Ten percent said they are "Shia," while two percent said they are "Sufi," a more mystical interpretation of the faith.
Involved in Civic Life: The vast majority of Muslim respondents (87 percent) said they regularly go to the polls on Election Day and almost half (45 percent) said they volunteer for an institution serving the public.
Democratic or Independent: Forty-nine percent of respondents said they consider themselves Democrats and 36 percent said they are politically independent. Only 8 percent of respondents said they are Republicans. When asked about their preferred presidential candidate, almost half of respondents (45 percent) said they "don't know or haven't decided."
When asked their views on a number of domestic and international issues, the vast majority of Muslim respondents (86 percent) said attacks on civilians are "never justified." Those who said they were "often justified" (2 percent) were less that the statistical margin of error (3 percent) for the survey.
On international issues, American Muslim voters also said:
American Muslim leaders should support peace and reconciliation between the warring factions in Iraq. (80 percent)
Anti-Americanism in the Muslim world is a serious problem and anti-Muslim prejudice is a threat to American Muslims. (76 percent)
Brokering a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would improve America's reputation in the Muslim world. (75 percent)
Simulated drowning (water-boarding) is an unacceptable interrogation method for terror suspects. (74 percent)
When asked which issues will have the most influence on their voting decision, education was the top pick (89 percent) followed by civil rights (86 percent), health care policy (85 percent) and the economy (85 percent).
These results defy stereotypes of American Muslims as a monolithic group. One interesting finding of the survey shows that the most devout Muslim voters are also those who are more likely to believe that Islam and modernity are compatible.
Almost 80 percent of the Muslim voters polled said they would vote in this year's presidential primaries. With the prospect of close elections nationwide, no candidate can afford to ignore this potential bloc of swing voters.
The results of CAIR's survey should give a heads-up to candidates of any political party that there is a group of voters willing to listen to all those who address their concerns.
[Ibrahim Hooper is strategic communications director for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil liberties group. ]
CAIR releases results of Muslim voter survey
Poll: 80% of Muslim voters will participate in presidential primaries
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 31, 2008 - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today released the results of a national survey indicating that Muslim voters are civically engaged, remain well integrated in American society and are politically active. Although most are still undecided on their pick for the next president, nearly 80 percent said they would vote in the primaries.
The survey, commissioned by the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group, asked 1,000 registered Muslim voters about their demographic profiles, political views and levels of social integration. Respondents were randomly drawn from a pool of some 400,000 registered Muslim voters. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.
The survey’s results show a family-oriented, highly-educated and diverse group of voters who condemn terrorism and believe anti-Americanism in the Muslim world is a serious problem.
The poll also shows that the more devout Muslim voters are also those who are most likely to believe that Islam and modernity are compatible.
Respondents were asked which issues will most influence their vote. Education was the top pick indicated by 89 percent, followed by civil rights (86 percent), health care policy (85 percent) and the economy (85 percent).
“Our survey shows that most Muslim voters are still undecided on their preferred presidential candidate, yet are politically engaged and extremely likely to vote,” said CAIR spokeswoman Amina Rubin. “This means that a potential bloc of Muslim swing voters in several battleground states is ready to support a candidate who will commit to acting on issues that concern America’s Muslims.”
CAIR’s survey also indicated that many Muslim voters are concentrated in 10 states: California, 19 percent; New York, 13 percent; Illinois, 10 percent; Texas, 9 percent; Virginia, 7 percent; Michigan, 6 percent; Florida, 6 percent; Maryland, 5 percent; Pennsylvania, 4 percent; and Ohio, 3 percent.
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
The full results of CAIR’s survey may be viewed here.
January 29, 2008
AMT urges the Muslim community to become
visible in campaigns of their choice
The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT), an umbrella organization of 11 major American Muslim civil advocacy groups has decided not to endorse any candidate during the primary elections but urged the community members to become visible in campaigns of their choice. Eligible community members were also urged to register as voters.
The AMT-PAC, in an Election Advisory said:
1. Although after due deliberation the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT) has decided not to endorse any presidential candidate during the primary elections, we urge full participation by the American Muslim voters.
2. We encourage the American Muslim Community to continue registering those eligible to vote. Our overall strategy is premised on the belief that "Our vote is the best guarantee of our civil rights and the best expression of our citizenship
3. We urge them to use the following criteria to select presidential candidate: 1. Position on Civil Rights and other key issues detailed below. 2. Performance Record, 3. Funding Sources, 4. Campaign Coalitions, and 5) Inclusiveness.
4. We ask the community members to become visible in campaigns of their choice. Join hands with other Muslims and other like-minded fellow Americans working for the same candidate to create awareness of issues important to the American Muslim community (see below).
Issues
Over the last four years, the AMT has developed a consensual agenda that can be summarized as a "Civil Rights Plus" agenda, which means that ' the civil rights for all' is the main issue but not the only issue. We remain equally committed to education, homelessness, economic recovery, environmental and ecological safety, electoral reform, crime prevention, and global peace and justice. Our 'civil rights plus agenda' is broadly organized under three categories: a) civil and human rights, b) domestic issues of public good and general welfare, c) global peace with justice, prevention of war, and US relations with the Muslim world.
More specifically, we need to get their public support for three items:
1. Uphold the constitution and defend the civil liberties and human rights of all with unambiguous public commitment to due process, equal justice, and no ex post facto law.
2. Institute a fair immigration policy taking into consideration our security needs as well as significant economic contributions of undocumented workers.
3. End to War in Iraq and Afghanistan - We want these candidates to commit themselves to a) cease all hostilities, b) end the occupation, c) withdraw all military and civilian personnel, and d) dismantle all military bases. For more information visit: www.AmericanMuslimVoter.Net
The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT), includes the following groups: American Muslim Alliance (AMA), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Muslim Student Association - National (MSA-N), Project Islamic Hope (PIH), and United Muslims of America (UMA).
CAIR - January 25, 2008
Florida Muslims Mobilize for Primary Election
TAMPA, FL, January 25, 2008 - The Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Tampa) today released its non-partisan “2008 Florida Presidential Primary Election Voter Guide,” designed to inform constituents and mobilize Florida Muslims to cast ballots this Tuesday.
“Florida Muslims are potentially a critical swing voting bloc in the primary and general election; it’s important for all citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote,” said CAIR-Tampa Government Relations Coordinator Jamila Baraka.
In an effort to mobilize the Muslim vote, CAIR chapters across the country are registering voters, holding candidates forums, distributing voter guides and getting voters to the polls on Election Day.
CAIR has also launched a website dedicated to the 2008 elections to update constitutions with the latest news and opinions relating to Muslims and election races nationwide. This site contains key issue positions of the Presidential candidates, examples of anti-Muslim rhetoric from candidates for all forms of public office and links to the sites of Muslims running for public office.
Earlier this month, CAIR released a brand new Civic Participation Handbook, which includes best practices and step-by-step guides covering everything from holding voter registration drives to making the most of a meeting with the elected officials who represent you. Accompanying the handbook are our Civic Participation Trainings, which emphasize and build on the handbook’s material.
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