LEXIS-NEXISŽ Academic Universe-Document

LEXIS-NEXISŽ Academic

March 11, 2001, Sunday, Final Edition

SECTION: PRINCE WILLIAM EXTRA; Pg. T16

LENGTH: 829 words

HEADLINE: Area Muslims Find Power in Numbers; Groups Exert Newfound Political Voice

BYLINE: David Cho, Washington Post Staff Writer

BODY:

As soon as the call to morning prayer went out, the enormous hall full of Islam's faithful hushed into sudden silence. Then, on cue, the great sea of people bowed together -- 7,000 faces on the floor, 7,000 backs to the ceiling.

Such solidarity is a powerful thing. In four prayer meetings, an estimated 17,000 Muslims gathered Monday at the Capitol Expo Center in Chantilly to celebrate the end of the Hajj, the time of year when millions of Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca. The organizers of the celebration in Fairfax County say they have discovered that the huge gathering, for all its religious significance, also can be a way to exert a newfound voice in local and national politics. Muslims are a potentially rich source of votes in Virginia because they are reliable voters and generally support candidates as a bloc.

Five years ago, it was rare for candidates to look for votes among Muslims, said Rizwan Jaka, a principal organizer. But now, inviting and hosting political candidates after the 10 a.m. prayer meeting is a regular feature of the Hajj program.

"Centrally, we are here to honor Allah. But it's definitely an added benefit to be able to attract political candidates," Jaka said.

This year, Del. Jay Katzen (R-Fauquier), who is running for lieutenant governor, gave a 10-minute speech. Attorney General Mark L. Earley, a GOP gubernatorial candidate, could not make it, but a supporter read a statement from him. In past years, U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) and Fairfax County Board Chairman Katherine K. Hanley (D) have addressed the throng. D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) also has been represented.

"The numbers are changing," said Katzen, when asked why he came. "The fact is that we have many more Muslims who have joined our community."

Muslims say that about 150,000 to 250,000 of their number live in Virginia, Maryland and the District, although precise counts are impossible because the Census Bureau does not ask for religious affiliation.

The awakening of an Islamic voice in politics is happening nationally as well. Last year, for the first time, a coalition of four influential national Muslim associations endorsed a presidential candidate, giving Republican George W. Bush their support. And Muslims say that endorsement, while not a religious mandate, was powerful.

"We pretty much voted in a bloc," said Omar Estwani, another organizer of the Hajj celebration in Fairfax. "And we definitely made a difference, especially with last year's elections being so close."

The four Muslim organizations say they have never endorsed a presidential candidate before 2000 simply because they were not well-organized. The Muslim Public Affairs Council, the oldest of the four associations that endorsed Bush, was founded as recently as 1989.

"We are each just infant organizations trying to feel their way," said Hassam Ibrahim, the national director of the council, which has offices in Los Angeles and Washington. "But as you can see, in less than one decade, we were able to get our act together."

The national Islamic organizations also urges mosques to register congregants and make sure they get to the polls.

"We want the government to recognize that they cannot just ignore us, that it will be good for the nation if Muslims speak out," said Ghayth Nur Kashif, vice chairman of the Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations in the Washington area. Kashif, who is also the Imam, or leader, of the Masjidush-Shura mosque in the District, estimates 80 percent of the 100 members voted in November.

Muslims, nearly all of whom are minorities, generally are conservative on family issues and liberal on immigration issues, Islamic leaders say.

And they pay close attention to how candidates stand on Middle East issues, said Ali Al-Taie, who is Muslim and is a professor of sociology at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C.

Most Muslims supported Bush with some reluctance, Al-Taie said, because his father launched the 1991 Persian Gulf War against Iraq, an Islamic nation. Some Muslims opposed Democrat Al Gore because he chose a Jewish running mate, he added.

In New York, most Muslims who voted for Bush also supported Democratic senatorial candidate Hillary Clinton, partly because she was supportive of Palestinians.

"Yes, generally Muslims vote conservative, but you can see the issues that are crossing lines," Al-Taie said. "Ethnic and religious backgrounds do not necessarily correspond."

Whomever they end up supporting, one thing is clear: The Muslim community is aiming for a greater voice in American politics, said Ibrahim, the Muslim Public Affairs Council director.

"I think we have no choice, we have to make our position clear," he said. "Solidarity and unity is one of the highest callings of Islam. And when you are relatively in the minority and it's your first time making your voice heard, you need unity to make your voice louder."

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