*EPF510 07/07/00
American Muslims Intend High Political Participation
(Muslim voters are skeptical about foreign policies) (500)
By Judith Trunzo
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington, DC -- A striking 96 percent of American Muslim respondents cited their intention to get involved in local and national politics, according to a new poll on Muslim political attitudes. Similarly, nearly three-quarters of those surveyed rate American foreign policy as being somewhat biased against Muslims and give as examples issues ranging from Bosnia to Iraq. The newly released poll was organized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic advocacy group.

Approximately six million Muslims live in the United States distinguished by three communities of almost equal size, according to Ibrahim Hooper, National Communications Director of CAIR. He described the groupings as Muslims coming from the South Asian continent, those of Arabic descent and African Americans who have adopted Islam. Islam has some 1,200 million adherents worldwide and is one of the fastest growing religions.

Queried about their intentions in this year's presidential race, the 755 individuals who responded to the poll gave roughly equal support to U.S. Vice President Al Gore (33 percent), his Republican Party opponent Texas Governor George W. Bush (28 percent), and undecided (27 percent). Two smaller political party candidates split the remaining 12 percent of choices expressed.

A clear majority supported Democratic Party positions on social issues (56 percent) while 64 percent indicated strong support for Republican Party views on moral issues including abortion and same-sex marriages.

While Muslims from 37 different American states participated in the poll, California was particularly heavily represented (19 percent). Other concentrations of responses came from Virginia (8 percent), Illinois (7 percent), Texas (7 percent), Maryland (6 percent), Michigan (6 percent) and New York (5 percent).

At the same time that it released its poll, CAIR announced that a month-long voter registration drive would begin in mid-August, ending with American Muslim National Voter Registration Day on September 15. Dr. Mohamed Nimer, Research Director for CAIR pointed out that Muslims might be swing voters in politically important states such as California.

Respondents were asked to rate current U.S. policies toward various foreign policy issues on a scale of one to ten with one representing highly unfavorable bias against Muslims and ten standing for a pro-Muslim policy. "More said one" than any other rating for a variety of issues including Bosnia, Kashmir, and Iraq, Hooper noted. The result was that few current policies, notably toward the status of Jerusalem, earned a three or above. Almost half of those polled said they did not support the foreign policy positions of either party or were still undecided.

"This survey shows that Muslims are independent voters, and that they will support those candidates who address their concerns on both domestic and foreign policy issues," concluded Dr. Nimer.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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