Keith Ellison may become Congress’s first Muslim

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Well always saying Israel is shafting your people, so I would think you would have support of your people higher on your list than tax cuts or funding for education.

Again with the "your people." One thing I admire about Kieth is he's not just "one of our people." Perhaps it seems to people outside of Minnesota that Keith is the muslim's candidate, through the race's portrayal in the public media. But here on the ground, it's clear that Keith is running to represent the people of the 5th, plain and simple.

Edited October 15, 2006 by rahma

[I'm Gone 60]

Well always saying Israel is shafting your people, so I would think you would have support of your people higher on your list than tax cuts or funding for education.

Again with the "your people." One thing I admire about Kieth is he's not just "one of our people." Perhaps it seems to people outside of Minnesota that Keith is the muslim's candidate, through the race's portrayal in the public media. But here on the ground, it's clear that Keith is running to represent the people of the 5th, plain and simple.

I'm sure every Jewish member of Congress would say the same thing, but how many voted against invading Iraq or if attacking Iran comes to vote. If he isn't going to support your cause you might as well elect a Catholic.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I'm sure every Jewish member of Congress would say the same thing, but how many voted against invading Iraq or if attacking Iran comes to vote. If he isn't going to support your cause you might as well elect a Catholic.

Russ Feingold, my former senator, voted against invading Iraq (and the patriot act). I'm just blessed to be represented by and know uberly awesome politicians

[I'm Gone 60]

I'm sure every Jewish member of Congress would say the same thing, but how many voted against invading Iraq or if attacking Iran comes to vote. If he isn't going to support your cause you might as well elect a Catholic.

Russ Feingold, my former senator, voted against invading Iraq (and the patriot act). I'm just blessed to be represented by and know uberly awesome politicians

OK you win. I live in Maryland and a Muslim has about as much chance being elected here as one does being elected to run Israel anyway. LOL

[Veiled Princess 1]

Then what else would be important to you?

Asked because Isreal is the only thing muslims around the world are concerned with??

Well always saying Israel is shafting your people, so I would think you would have support of your people higher on your list than tax cuts or funding for education.

Who is always saying this? I'm muslim 24/7 and I don't think I've so much as given thought to Isreal in... well it's been so long I can't even remember... when have I said recently?

[Bosco 1]

I'm sure every Jewish member of Congress would say the same thing, but how many voted against invading Iraq or if attacking Iran comes to vote. If he isn't going to support your cause you might as well elect a Catholic.

Russ Feingold, my former senator, voted against invading Iraq (and the patriot act). I'm just blessed to be represented by and know uberly awesome politicians

OK you win. I live in Maryland and a Muslim has about as much chance being elected here as one does being elected to run Israel anyway. LOL

I live in Maryland and I think you are wrong. While the House of Delegates is a ways off from Congress, Saqib Ali won a nomintation in the primary over incumbent (and Jewish) Joan Stern.

[Donna A 4]

he supports gay marriege and abortion and says he is a muslim... isnt that contradicting himself?

[crazyinEgypt 0]

he supports gay marriege and abortion and says he is a muslim... isnt that contradicting himself?

BINGO!!! Look, I don't care what religion a person is as long they are good and have good moral values.

[Bosco 1]

I honestly wouldn't vote for this guy myself... nothing to do with religion but because of his stance on some important issues for me. For instance, from what I've read, he supports gay marriage and the "rights" of women to kill babies. I also saw on an interview that he used to be a strong supporter of the NOI... I wouldn't vote for a klan member either

Mainly what I found interesting about the article is that he would be the first muslim in congress but I don't think anyone should rush out and vote for someone because they share the same religion in name.

I do agree in voting for your personal interests. However, I also feel strongly that there is a value in barriers being broken. In this regard, I would consider voting for a candidate that did not necessarily represent my specific interests because I would feel the milestone of that door finally being opened an important one for society, leading the way for other candidates who represent my interests more specifically. Obviously, it would depend on far off from my viewpoints this candidate stood. I wouldn't vote for Bush if he converted to Islam.

[I'm Gone 60]

I'm sure every Jewish member of Congress would say the same thing, but how many voted against invading Iraq or if attacking Iran comes to vote. If he isn't going to support your cause you might as well elect a Catholic.

Russ Feingold, my former senator, voted against invading Iraq (and the patriot act). I'm just blessed to be represented by and know uberly awesome politicians

OK you win. I live in Maryland and a Muslim has about as much chance being elected here as one does being elected to run Israel anyway. LOL

I live in Maryland and I think you are wrong. While the House of Delegates is a ways off from Congress.

Yes it is. Still will the person win the seat, primary win isn't the same as being elected. How much luck have Muslims had in getting schools closed on Muslim holidays in Maryland.

[Veiled Princess 1]

Yes it is. Still will the person win the seat, primary win isn't the same as being elected. How much luck have Muslims had in getting schools closed on Muslim holidays in Maryland.

Didn't they effectively get any other religious holiday taken off the school calendar? Or am I thinking of a different case?

[I'm Gone 60]

Yes it is. Still will the person win the seat, primary win isn't the same as being elected. How much luck have Muslims had in getting schools closed on Muslim holidays in Maryland.

Didn't they effectively get any other religious holiday taken off the school calendar? Or am I thinking of a different case?

We live in Baltimore County, so can't speak for other counties and Baltimore City.

http://www.bcps.org/calendars/

Yom Kippur—Schools and Offices Closed

[Bosco 1]

Yes it is. Still will the person win the seat, primary win isn't the same as being elected. How much luck have Muslims had in getting schools closed on Muslim holidays in Maryland.

He may not win the seat but he beat out an incumbent for the nomination, which is an accomplishment.

The reasoning for not closing the schools is absolutely legitimate. They make these decisions based on expectations of how many students would not otherwise attend. The Muslim population here is neither that large nor that concentrated to warrant closing the schools. I believe it is an unrealistic request by the Baltimore County Muslim Council. Also, one of their leaders is ineffective in his push, IMO, and has gone on rants about Israel and other issues when frustrated.

*Most* of the fellow Marylanders I know are not so ignorant that they would not vote for somone just because he or she was Muslim.

I think part of the fear/hatred towards Muslims stems from ignorance. People only know the images they see on television. However, I would argue this is less so the case in the African American communities where there are African American Muslims. The non-Muslims in these communities have had exposure to Muslims as neighbors, friends, business owners, etc to counter the images on television. Thus, the prejudices are less likely to get in the way of affecting how they vote. Baltimore City in particular has a large African American population that could potentially vote favorably for a Muslim candidate. The DC suburbs have a fairly substantial Muslim population and would be another stronghold.

[Veiled Princess 1]

I do agree in voting for your personal interests. However, I also feel strongly that there is a value in barriers being broken. In this regard, I would consider voting for a candidate that did not necessarily represent my specific interests because I would feel the milestone of that door finally being opened an important one for society, leading the way for other candidates who represent my interests more specifically. Obviously, it would depend on far off from my viewpoints this candidate stood. I wouldn't vote for Bush if he converted to Islam.

I could agree with this if it was small issues that I disagreed on but baby killing is a pretty major one IMHO.

[I'm Gone 60]

Yes it is. Still will the person win the seat, primary win isn't the same as being elected. How much luck have Muslims had in getting schools closed on Muslim holidays in Maryland.

He may not win the seat but he beat out an incumbent for the nomination, which is an accomplishment.

The reasoning for not closing the schools is absolutely legitimate. They make these decisions based on expectations of how many students would not otherwise attend. The Muslim population here is neither that large nor that concentrated to warrant closing the schools. I believe it is an unrealistic request by the Baltimore County Muslim Council.

Well I grew up in Baltimore County and I can tell you school was not closed on any Jewish holiday when I went to school and I'm sure just as many Jews live here now as then.