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The Muslim Vote: Counts and Recounts Mr. Tahir Ali, an American Muslim resident of New England, Massachusetts, Summary of the book: To have any influence on Capitol Hill, it is imperative for those communities entering into the political arena to be armed with a basic understanding of politics. They need to know how the system works. They need to know, for example, that the U.S Congress is the vital center of policy-making. The outcome of the battles on the Floor affects the lives of people living in and outside U.S. borders. In the past, to put themselves on the U.S. political map, many communities in America, struggled to climb up the "Hill". Hardly, any one made it lickety-split to the top, and even today it continues to be an uphill battle. The American Muslims, a vibrant community, started their journey more than a decade ago. A significant milestone in that journey was the Boston fund raiser held on June 13, 2000 for the former First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. This was the first time ever, such a high-profile political figure attended a Muslim public event. Hillary's presence at the event was a clear indication that astute politicians were beginning to recognize the emergence of the American Muslims as a new political constituency. But a few months later under intense pressures from her opponent Hillary Clinton decided to return contributions made by some of her Muslim donors. This was a moment of truth for America as an open society and Hillary as a main stream politician. At stake was the freedom of speech, on one hand, and equal access on the other. This episode is better understood in terms of the unintended rather than the intended consequences. If the intention was to stigmatize some Muslim organizations and to seek their exclusion from the political process, the unintended consequences led to 1) further isolation and ultimate defeat of Rick Lazio, 2) brought national attention to Muslim voters and organizations which showed them to be quite modern, moderate and mainstream, and 3) refocused the question of equal access to politics. Even today, most people do not recognize the implicit connection between the Muslim Bloc Vote and the electoral controversy in Hillary Clinton's senate election in New York. American Muslims decided to fight back. The 800,000 Muslim New Yorkers succeeded in help to defeat the all-weather bigot Rick Lazio by helping to elect the fair-weather liberal Hillary Clinton. Despite intense pressure candidate, George W. Bush did not return the Muslim endorsement and ultimately richly benefited from this decision. Consequently, in the year 2000 the Muslim bloc vote caused Governor George W. Bush to become the President of United States. The American Muslims thus succeeded putting themselves on the political map. Then came the USA Patriot Act; which caused a major obstacle for Muslim voters who once again decided to fight back by forming civil rights coalition all over the United States. This book, while exposing superficial images and stereotypes, gives a detailed account of the community life and political activities of the American Muslims, with focus on the 2000 bloc vote, post 9/11 for healing and harmony, a perspective on the Iraq war, and new strategy for 2004 elections. BIOGRAPHY - Tahir Ali Born in Pakistan in 1949, Mr. Ali came to America in 1974. He obtained a Master’s degree in engineering from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1977. He is married with a daughter and two sons, all born and raised in America. The younger of the two sons died of leukemia at the age of nine [ the book is dedicated to his youngest son - Yaser] Mr. Ali has affiliations with the American Muslim Alliance, having served as the Massachusetts chairman and as media and PR chairman on the national level. As a former trustee-chairman of the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester, he has been instrumental in renovating the Islamic center from an abandoned church to a lively Mosque. He is the author of many articles published in various Muslim magazines, newspapers and websites. He is often called upon as a guest speaker at Muslim national and local conventions and conferences, including MIT and Harvard. His political activities include fundraising for Hillary Clinton, former First Lady and U.S. Senator from New York; Michigan Congressman David Bonoir; hosting meetings among Muslim and political figures. His name is engraved on the wall that honors former President Ronald Reagan. He has been awarded key-to-the-city by the Mayor of Worcester - for his interfaith, healing and harmony efforts after 9/11. The book may be ordered toll free from the publisher at 866-895-0977. The paper back is $28.00 the hard cover is $42.00 - prices includes shipping and handling. The Wyndham website can be found at http://www.wyndhamhallpress.com/pages/1/index.htm - if you scroll down one page, you will see Tahir's book listed. It is available at www.amazon.com as well. About the publisher The publisher "Wyndham Hall" is nationally and internationally known. It has won the Academic Book of the Year Award and three times cited for quality publishing in The Rhodes-Fulbright International Library series. This is the first time this world renown publisher has published a title by a Muslim author. If the publisher is indented with book orders, then the publisher would consider inviting/looking at other Muslim writers. The Muslim Vote is published in the The Rhodes-Fulbright International Library series. "It is the tradition of Wyndham Hall to publish only the finest in scholarship and creative literature and the awarding of this contract has not been done without thorough evaluation of your work and a careful consideration of its place in the on-going maintenance of our tradition of excellence." Managing editor Wyndham Hall. Sept. 22, 2004 |
has just released a book, "THE MUSLIM VOTE: COUNTS AND RECOUNTS" published by Wyndham Hall. This book gives a detailed account of the community life and political activities of the American Muslims, with focus on the 2000 bloc vote, post 9/11 for healing and harmony, a perspective on the Iraq war, and new strategy for 2004 elections.