Getting the Muslim vote in Ames (Hamadeh)

[Dustancostine]

Hamadeh,

Maybe you and your family/friends can make a huge impact in the straw polls by contacting the Muslims in Iowa and seeing if we can build support there. I know a lot of Muslims will appreciate Dr. Paul's view of foreign policy and message of freedom.

I found this site:

www.iowamuslims.org

From their site:

Darul Arqum, Islamic Center of Ames
1212 Iowa Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-292-3683
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.arqum.org

Muslim Community of the Quad Cities
2115 E. Kimberly, Bettendorf, IA 52722
Phone: 563-359-8123
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.mcqc.org

Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids
2999 First Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone: 319-362-0857
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.crmosque.com

Mother Mosque of North America
1335 9th Street NW, Cedar Rapids,
IA 52406
Phone: 319-396-4719, 319-396-8733
Email:[email protected]
Islamic Center of Davenport
5912 Utica Ridge Rd., Davenport, IA 52807
Phone: 319-323-4024

Islamic Center of Des Moines
6201 Franklin Ave, Des Molnes, IA 50322
Phone: Muslim Community Organization Mosque
1087 25th St., Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: 515-266-7591
Email: [email protected]

Islamic Society of Iowa City
114 E Prentiss St., Iowa City, IA 52240
Phone: 319-354-6167

Islamic Society of Cerro Gordo
122 1/2 N Federal Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401
Phone: 641-424-04621
Email: [email protected]

Mosque of Sioux City
223 10th Street, Sioux City, IA 51103
Phone: 712-234-1670
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.MosqueOfSiouxCity.com
Masjid Al-Noor
728 W 2nd St., Waterloo, IA 50701
Phone: 319-233-6640
Email: [email protected]
WebSite:http://www.geocities.com/AlnoorMosque

Masjid Abu Bakr
Maharishi University of Management,
Fairfield IA 52557
Email: [email protected]


If Hamadeh can't do it we should consider at least writing them a letter.

--Dustan

 

[JoshLowry]

In relation to getting the word out to Muslims, Bryan made an example letter with some very good points here: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=424

I personally think it's an awesome idea. A few people were reserved about targeting a particular group, but I think this would be wonderful.

 

[Dustancostine]

That is really great Hamadeh,

But we need someone contacting Iowa Muslims to get them go vote at the straw poll. Maybe you can get mailing list from the Mosques or can get the religious leaders there to talk people into going to Ames.

 

[Dustancostine]

In relation to getting the word out to Muslims, Bryan made an example letter with some very good points here: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=424

I personally think it's an awesome idea. A few people were reserved about targeting a particular group, but I think this would be wonderful.

That is a really great letter. If Hamadeh can't call and speak to them then I will write them.

--Dustan

 

[freelance]

I would also think that they'd be interested to hear about Dr. Paul's stand on civil liberties.

 

[Nefertiti]

I actually urge you all to write them letters or call them,
bring up issues on
Inocme tax
Israel to stop aiding them
non interventionalism
against Iraq war
for strong border security
against wiretapping
against patriot act.

and go against Obama, believe me most muslims are voting Obama cause his dad is muslim. which is rediculous since Obama cant even admit his dad is muslim.

Also cover the issue of abortion (forbidden by Islam),

Cover his views on debt (national and personal) and loans. Receiving and paying interest are forbidden by Islam. RP believes that the federal student loan program has driven up the cost of education and for those whose personal faith prevents them from accepting loans, this has a negative effect.

Mention he is an MD. This will garner a lot of respect as well.

 

[Nefertiti]

Hamadeh-Can you draft a letter covering these points that could be sent to these mosques in Iowa? I'd be happy to help you with it if you could do the first draft.

 

[JoshLowry]

Hamadeh-Can you draft a letter covering these points that could be sent to these mosques in Iowa? I'd be happy to help you with it if you could do the first draft.

Bryan wrote a draft letter here: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=424

You might be able to use it as a base.

A growing number of Americans are realizing that our foreign policy in the Middle East and continued occupation of Muslim holy land is a determent to the world and our own wellbeing. Americans rallying for change are finding hope in the 2008 presidential candidate Dr. Ron Paul who is a 10-term Congressman from Texas. Dr. Paul has always been opposed to intervention in the affairs in the Middle East both directly and indirectly though providing American taxpayer money.

Dr. Paul is currently the only presidential candidate from either the Republican or Democrat Party to call for an end of warfare and sanctions in the Middle East. In the second Republicans presidential debate on May 15 Dr. Paul stood firm on his position and reminded America of our own studies that have shown the negative impact of "blowback" that a policy of war and occupation of Muslim holy land can have and advised Americans that we ignore this at our own peril.

While Dr. Paul's message resonates with common sense his statements were immediately and persistently demonized to paint him as unpatriotic and a sympathizer of wrong-doers. We believe that Dr. Paul's message of peace, freedom and non-intervention in Muslim affairs needs to be spread by word of mouth through friends, neighbors and community groups. It is our most sincere hope that you learn more of Dr. Paul and his message and consider offering him your support as we believe a long awaited opportunity of hope is now upon us.

You may find our more about Dr. Paul at the websites and articles listed below, we will be happy to answer any question we can about Dr. Paul on our website http://www.RonPaulForums.com

Thank you for your consideration,

Your name here



http://www.ronpaul2008.com
http://www.house.gov/paul


November 20, 2000
Our Foolish War in the Middle East: "For over a thousand years the West has dominated the Middle East. During these thousand years resentment has continued, but for obvious reasons it is now being directed toward America. No one should be surprised when our ships become vulnerable and are actually blown up in the Middle East... Our policy in the Middle East cannot possibly be successful... Our current foreign policy does nothing more than stir the flames of hatred of both sides, clearly evident as we witness the daily fighting between the Palestinians and the Israelis."
http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2000/tst112000.htm

October 25, 2001
A Sad State of Affairs: "Some of our trouble in the Middle East started years ago when our CIA put the Shah in charge of Iran. It was 25 years before he was overthrown, and the hatred toward America continues to this day. Those who suffer from our intervention have long memories. Our support for the less-than-ethical government of Saudi Arabia, with our troops occupying what most Muslims consider sacred land, is hardly the way to bring peace to the Middle East."
http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/co...1/cr102501.htm

April 10, 2002
America’s Entangling Alliances in the Middle East: "Today, though, we are entangled in everyone’s affairs throughout the world, and we are less safe as a result. The current Middle-East crisis is one that we helped create, and it is typical of how foreign intervention fails to serve our interests. Now we find ourselves smack-dab in the middle of a fight that will not soon end. No matter what the outcome, we lose."
http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/co...2/cr041002.htm

November 15, 2004
The Middle East Quagmire: "This illustrates perfectly the inherent problem with foreign aid: once we give money to one country, we have to give it to all the rest or risk making enemies. This is especially true in the Middle East and other strife-torn regions, where our financial support for one side is seen as an act of aggression by the other. Just as our money never makes Israel secure, it doesn’t buy us any true friends elsewhere in the region."
http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2004/tst111504.htm

September 5, 2005
Gas, Taxes, and Middle East Policy: "We cannot count on using military or political influence in the Middle East to keep gas prices low."
http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2005/tst090505.htm

September 7, 2006
Big Government Solutions Don't Work/ The Law of Opposites: "Even our current crisis in the Middle East can be traced to the great wars of the 20th century. Though tens of millions of deaths are associated with these wars, we haven’t learned a thing."
http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/co...6/cr090706.htm

February 26, 2007
Hypocrisy in the Middle East: "If honest democratic elections were held throughout the Middle East tomorrow, many countries would elect religious fundamentalist leaders hostile to the United States. Cliche or not, the Arab Street really doesn’t like America, so we should stop the charade about democracy and start pursuing a coherent foreign policy that serves America’s long-term interests."
http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2007/tst022607.htm

I would probably leave out our web address (RonPaulForums.com) and give them your personal contact information instead.

 

[mtmedlin]

Please also remember that the teachings of the Quran are against abortion. When speaking to allot of my customers, they are really intrigued by his stance in the middle east and then I remind them that a vote for someone that is pro-life is a direct violation of the teachings of Allah.

 

[mtmedlin]

Also cover the issue of abortion (forbidden by Islam),

Mention he is an MD. This will garner a lot of respect as well.

I should have read ALL the posts above but this is an important position for people of Islamic faith.

 

[Nefertiti]

I would remove the bit about the shah of Iran. Most Iranians in the US are ones who came here because they weren't happy after he was removed....They tend to be quite liberal. Also, there is a lot of distrust among Sunni Muslims these days about Iran, so better to stay away from Iran-specific statements.

I would refrain from mentioning any countries in particular, except perhaps the Israel issue and instead focus on issues-like how he would cut back on aid and support to dictatorial governments in general. That way people who come from countries that they themselves consider to be dictatorial will assume he is talking about those countries. There are plenty of people from Muslim countries who not only would like to see aid to Israel stopped, but aid to certain Muslim countries stopped because the money is used to prop up regimes that aren't liked.

 

[Dustancostine]

What is our plan of action?

Is anyone of Islamic faith going to contact these people?

Or =hould someone mail them a letter?

Thanks, Dustan

 

[Lord Xar]

ANY UPDATE on this??????? WE NEED TO CAPITALIZE NO THIS..

Can someone PM the notables here and get contacts for heather or whomever and get rollling on this.

OR,

Get something together and mail it to the addresses.

Listen..

SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS TASK.

No more, if they don't do it. PM them and work it out immediately. Please.

WE MUST DO THIS!!

Hamadeh, contact heather about the fundraiser..... If not, I will... but TELL ME you are either handling or not.. PM me.. please.

EVERYBODY ELSE .. there are some great letters.. perhaps use all of them... just staple them and say "here are some views.." and get them out there..


AND YES... BEING A MD is a HUGE PLUS.

Okay.. we need to iron this out by tomorrow morning or sooner.... Can someone please coordinate this and take ownership?

 

[Nefertiti]

Perhaps we shouldn't focus on Iowa so much and instead form a national level strategy for Muslims. What about a Muslims for Ron Paul Facebook group to start it off?

I just think Iowa is not the place to be putting all our efforts. The number of Muslims is small and the caucus format of choosing a candidate might be offputting to Muslims because it requires your publicly declaring your support.

 

[JoshLowry]

The straw poll is a huge momentum builder and needs to be concentrated on. It is 13 days out and we need every last vote that we can muster from Iowa residents. The butterfly effect of a good showing in Iowa is worth putting off other activities for the time being.

You must be a resident of Iowa, but there is not a public record of who you voted for in the Straw Poll. You vote privately on machines.

 

[Dustancostine]

Plus there are 20,000 Muslims in Iowa that is alot. Figure that probably 2/3 are not voting age (probably an overstatement) that leaves 7,000 adult Muslims.

Also the first major mosque built in America was built in Cedar Rapids.

I will head this project. I will try to get the contacts together and see who is who in the organizations and who we can mail. Then I will either take volunteers of the Islamic faith to call these people, or I will call them myself.

Nef. you are right this needs to be a national effort. But with the straw poll so close we need to do something in Iowa. If we can get a third of that 7,000 people there, we can win. Also we can use it as a case study of what needs to be done to reach Muslim's effectively on the national level.

I also just secured www.muslimsforronpaul.com. I don't know how to make websites but if we get this thing going I'm sure we can find someone to make it.

Hopefully after a little amount of time a person of the Muslim faith can take this project over.

--Dustan

 

[max]

Hamedeh,

You and friends need to start up your own Meetup - Muslims/Arabs for Ron Paul. If Muslims organized themselves like the Zionists do...you could overpower them easily....Find some well-to-do Muslims to help you get up and running...reach out to Mosques nationwide...

Reach out to the imans...explain how Ron Paul will stop financing Israel (and all other foreign aid)...Explain that he advocates peace and trade with all peoples. Muslims in this country are under attack...they'd be absolutely crazy not to put their resources and energy behind Ron Paul.

This campaign MUST reach out to the large numbers of affluent Arabs in this country who surely must be fed up with the way the media portrays them as devils...One more so-called "terrorist attack" and these criminals will start putting innocent Muslims in camps!...get moving with this idea....Don't wait for HQ

If you need help with creating a special flyer aimed at arabs/Muslims...I'll help u..

ad

[email protected]

 

[LastoftheMohicans]

Direct them to the Minaret of Freedom Website

If any Muslims are interested in how free markets are consistent with Islam, you can direct them to the Minaret of Freedom Website, http://www.minaret.org It is run by Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, who is a libertarian Muslim. Here is there mission statement:

Mission Statement of
the Minaret of Freedom Institute
"Those who, of their own free will and without any compulsion,
act according to the Qur'an and the Sunnah wear the turban of freedom."
-- Khwaaja-i-Jahaan Mahmuud Gawaan.
The Minaret of Freedom Institute was founded in 1993 with a dual mission for educating both Muslims and non-Muslims. For non-Muslims our mission is:

to counter distortions and misconceptions about Islamic beliefs and practice
to demonstrate the Islamic origins of modern values like the rule of law and sciences like market economics
to advance the status of Muslim peoples maligned by a hostile environment in the West and oppressed by repressive political regimes in the East
For Muslims, in fulfillment of the obligations laid upon them by the Qur'an and the Sunnah, our mission is:
to discover and publish the politico-economic policy implications of Islamic law (shari`ah) and their consequences on the economic well-being of the community,
to expose both American and Islamic-world Muslims to free market thought
to educate Islamic religious and community leaders in economics and in the fact that liberty is a necessary, though not sufficient, condition for the achievement of a good society,
to promote the establishment of free trade and justice (an essential common interest of Islam and the West)
To build upon the words of Thomas Jefferson, in fulfilling these goals we are pledged to wage unending holy struggle (jihâd) against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
We shall implement these goals through:

independent scholarly research (ijtihâd) into policy issues of concern to Muslim countries and/or to Muslims in America; publication of scholarly and popular expositions of such research;
translation of appropriate works on the free market into the languages of the Muslim world with introductions and commentaries by Muslim scholars;
and the operation of a scholars exchange program both to allow institute associates to make presentations to academics and policy makers in Muslim countries and to permit libertarian Muslims from abroad to spend time in contact with market-oriented Muslim scholars in America and to have access to resources not available in their home countries.
The Minaret of Freedom Institute is classified as a tax-exempt entity under § 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. It relies upon voluntary contributions from private corporations, foundations, and individuals to continue its work.

 

[JoshLowry]

Thanks for spearheading it Dustan. You might have better luck with contacting the centers than Mosques.

 

[Akus]

I personally thing it's a really bad idea. So not only Ron Paul, in minds of an ignorant Paris Hilton following public, blames us for 9/11 attack, he also tries to coddle a muslim vote. I'd say not to do that...

$0.02