WASHINGTON, D.C. (MASNET) March 4, 2008 - From Iowa to Texas MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), sponsored major primary events for the Muslim community through its Voting is Power (VIP) campaign. The focus of these events has been to educate the Muslim community about the presidential primary process and to get them engaged. The level of engagement includes voter registration, education and mobilization.

MAS Freedom kicked off its primary event in

Iowa where Miriam Amer of MAS Freedom-National, met with the Democratic and Republican candidates. Additionally, Ms. Amer held a training workshop at a local mosque in Cedar Rapids where the caucus process was explained to the Muslim community.

During the Potomac (VA/DC/MD) primary process MAS Freedom sponsored four major Townhall and candidate forums. The Townhall forums were well attended and included surrogates for the major candidates.

With upcoming primaries in Ohio and Texas, MAS Freedom also sponsored Townhall events in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. The focus of these events was not only on the candidates, but also on mobilization efforts of getting Muslims to the polls.

Currently MAS chapters in Ohio and Texas are operating as non-partisan call centers. They are calling Muslim voters and encouraging them to go to the polls and vote.

MAS Dallas-Fort Worth, MAS-Houston, and MAS-Austin chapters had major events tied to primaries in their regions. Over two hundred attended the Dallas event to hear the candidates' views and to ask questions, and nearly 400 attended a Townhall meeting in Houston that included Democratic, Republican, and Green Party representatives and members of congress.

"There is an excitement within our community about civic responsibility and politics that is unprecedented. After the 2000 election Bush fiasco, MAS Freedom was determine to move the sphere of political influence from a few elites to a politically educated grassroots movement. We are now seeing the fruit of those efforts. Our community is energized, organized and determined to engage the process. As demonstrated in the 2006 midterm election, the Muslim vote can make a difference; the Virginia senatorial election is an example," stated MAS Freedom Executive Director Mahdi Bray.

Bray added, "There are some who, for nefarious reasons, will attempt to marginalize our political participation through 'smear and fear' campaigns, that will not work against the American Muslim community now, any more than they did in the 60's against the civil rights movement. Our vote is fluid and based on what best serves our community and our country. We refuse to let anyone or any group render us politically neutered. Second class citizenship is not an option and the Muslim vote is an American political reality."

MAS-Dallas Townhall attendee, Reem Elghonimi, expressed sincere appreciation to MAS Freedom-National speaker, Miriam Amer, for her guidance and efforts in helping make a difference in the lives of Muslim youth by encouraging them to participate in the VIP campaign.

If you would like to join the VIP campaign call 1-888-MAS-VIP1 or 1-866-627-8471.

RELATED:

MAS-Austin and MAS Freedom Present: The Texas Primary Elections Public Education Forum

Dallas-Fort Worth Chapters of MAS and MAS Freedom Present The Texas Primary Elections Public Education Forum

MAS Freedom National Coordinator Meets with Candidates in Iowa Before Caucuses

YouTube - MAS VIP