Houstonian Corner (V10-I38)

“59 Days”: MN Rep. Keith Ellison At Houston Iftar-&-Dinner

Houston–September 6–“Fifty-Nine days are left in November 04 Elections. It is crucial that get into the White House Democratic Party President. Plus we need to work hard and have several Democratic Party Congresspersons elected or re-elected. People say Texas is 45% – 55% Democratic – Republican. I want to tell them, we have hardworking supporters of real change, who will be putting sincere efforts in registering people to vote. We will see many voters who have never voted earlier and will upset these percentages.”

These were the enthusiastic words of Congressman Keith Ellison, the first Muslim-American congressman as he addressed a group of upbeat Community Leaders, Professionals and Businesspersons at an Iftar-&-Dinner organized at a local hotel. He resiliently asked the participants to vote for Barrack Obama.

Rep. Ellison (D-MN-5th) came to Houston on the invitation of Mustafa Tameez of Outreach Strategies, LLC., who through the help of his host team raised funds for Ellison’s reelection campaign. Towards the end of the program, Mr. Tameez auctioned baseballs and DNC Credentials autographed by Rep. Ellison.

“Qur`an says that there is no coercion in religion, which is the foundation of USA, where we celebrate diversity.  The way the vote count is being projected; the Muslim vote will make a significant and most likely decisive difference in key states like Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Other significant states where Muslims will make an impression are Virginia and Florida. No matter who wins, Muslims need to continue advocacy at grassroots and all the different levels of government. Muslims should organize a Day on the Hill in Washington DC and their respective states, while those legislatures are in session; inviting and visiting several key decision makers, placing in front of them an agenda of four to six key issues, which should be finalized after joint diligent consultations among the Muslims. Also at local levels, an Annual  Concerned Citizens Group Function should be arranged by the Muslim Community, which in few years should become a spotlight of the community level political calendar. It should be clear to all Americans that Muslims care about the many concerns of the society; their participation is positive and they encourage all to come together for the common good.”

Earlier at a private VIP function, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green paid rich tributes to Congressman Ellison for his uprightness and acumen. Later on at the fundraising Iftar-&-Dinner, Congressman Nick Lampson applauded the performance of Congressman Ellison.

“In order to gain respect, one should not shy away from what he or she is. The behavior of a Muslim in the public sphere is what the Muslims need to learn from Keith Ellison. We are proud that he is the first Muslim Congressman, who took oath on the Qur`an, and who is giving excellent services to all of his constituents and people of America without any discrimination,” said City Councilman M.J. Khan, one of the thirteen hosts of the event.

Mercy Center Serving God by Serving Humanity

Houston, Texas (September 05, 2008): “We work to help our fellow human-beings in areas of the city where others are afraid to go,” said Imam Wazir Ali, Resident Imam of the newly established Masjid al-Qur`an of the Mercy Center, located at 5922 Hillcroft in Houston. He was encouraging people to contribute towards the projects of Masjid Al-Qur`an.

“We have Muslims from 81 different countries of the world living in the USA. We are the most diverse community. We are unique, since our main objective in doing anything is to please God and that Muslims achieve by working towards human and community development. Mercy Center and Masjid al-Qur`an are doing those two things, making positive change in the lives of hundreds: They need all of the moral support and financial assistance,” said Sulayman Nyang, Professor of African Studies at Howard University, who was keynote speaker at this fundraiser of Masjid al-Qur`an.

Other guest speakers included Imam Hatim Hamidullah, resident imam of Masjid Al-Haqq, Orlando, Florida and Chaplain Robert Kidd, Senior Staff Chaplain of Methodists Hospital System. Both talked about the compassion and beneficence of God (Allah SWT), which mean that in order to be God’s worthy creation, human-beings need to show empathy to each other.

To contribute, visit www.mercycc.org