Muslims Confer on Politics and Rights
MARLBORO— The leader of a Muslim organization said Muslims made a costly error in supporting George W. Bush for president in 2000 and cautioned American followers of the Islamic faith that the current field of presidential candidates is filled with closed-minded racists.

"After 9-11, there is a new America and new challenges for us (Muslims) to face," said Agha Saeed, founder and chairman of the American Muslim Alliance, Saturday night at the organization’s East Coast regional conference at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites.

Mr. Saeed, a professor of political science and sociology at the University of California at Berkeley, did not identify the candidates with alleged racial prejudices but urged conference attendees to closely examine the track records and rhetoric of presidential hopefuls who espouse security, immigration and other policies that would impinge on the civil rights of Muslims.

He said Muslims must educate themselves about the American political system and must forge partnerships with African-American and other minority groups in a bid to protect their liberties. Mr. Saeed also warned conference participants of candidates seeking the support of evangelical groups. Muslims confer on politics and rights: Group discusses candidates, issues >>> By Bronislaus B. Kush

Mark Alexander

Muslim Might Hold the Key to Victory in Denmark’s General Election
THE GUARDIAN: Denmark was the crucible for the Muhammad cartoon crisis that enraged the Islamic world. But now a Muslim politician born in Syria may hold the key to victory in the country's general election

Naser Khader is one of Denmark's most popular MPs. Raised in a village outside Damascus by his Palestinian father and Syrian mother, the family moved to Copenhagen when he was 11.

Now the 44-year-old politician is set to play a key role in the outcome of next week's general election. He could be the kingmaker of the country's next government. Muslim politician could be kingmaker in Danish elections (more)

Mark Alexander

Turkey’s Ruling Party Eager to Distance Itself from its Islamist Image
MIDDLE EAST TIMES: ANKARA -- Eager to prove it has broken off with its Islamist roots, Turkey's ruling party has fielded prominent candidates with no known links to political Islam for general elections Sunday, but convincing secularists remains a tough task.

Well-known politicians from the center-left and -right, women known for their liberal views, business people, and economists are among fresh troops the Justice and Development Party (AKP), a confident front-runner in opinion polls, enrolled before the election.

Standing out among them is Ertugrul Gunay, a social-democrat ideolog and former secretary-general of the staunchly secular Republican People's Party (CHP), the AKP's main political opponent.

Observers say the new AKP line-up reflects the party's efforts to establish itself at the center of Turkish politics, taking advantage of a notoriously fractured opposition. Turkey's ruling party eager to shrug off Islamist image (more) By Burak Akinci

Mark Alexander

Barrack Obama has been compared to Jesus!
Has the world gone crazy, or has the world gone crazy? My good friend, Mustang of Social Sense fame kindly alerted me to this video, a video which is in very bad taste! Do watch it and see what you think. WATCH VIDEO HERE: Comparing Barrack Obama with Jesus!

Mark Alexander