With the president mocking Romney's use of the word 'binders' to describe a list of qualified women to serve in his Massachusetts administration, I found the following article to be quite interesting. It seems that Obama had some binders of his own. But it wasn't women that he was looking for - it was Muslims.
Here's the article in it's entirety:
March
29, 2009 By Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah, TRIBUNE REPORTER and Tribune correspondent
Mike Dorning contributed to this report from Washington.
Obama and Muslim Americans:
Resumes forwarded to White House in effort to add Muslim-Americans to top Obama
administration posts
The
effort, driven by community leaders and others, including Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.),
was bumped up two weeks ahead of schedule because White House officials heard
about the venture, said J. Saleh Williams, program coordinator for the
Congressional Muslim Staffers Association who sifted through more than 300
names.
"It
was mostly under the radar," Williams said. "We thought it would put
[the president] in a precarious position. We didn't know how closely he wanted
to appear to be working with the Muslim American community."
The
effort aims to get the administration focused on Muslim Americans, a group that
has at times felt like a pariah. During the campaign, Obama's staff prevented
Muslim women wearing head scarves from being photographed behind him, in one of
many incidents that left Muslim Americans feeling slighted by the candidate.
Now,
Muslim Americans -- who according to a recent study overwhelmingly backed Obama
in the November election -- have been carefully watching the administration's
every step.
Most
expressed disappointment with Obama's initial silence during Israel's offensive
in Gaza. They've been encouraged by the video message the president issued
recently to the Iranian people on the eve of the Persian holiday of Nowruz, and
they want more diplomacy with Syria and Iran. They've been troubled by FBI
admissions of sending what activists call "agents provocateurs" into
mosques, and the bureau's break in ties with Muslim American organizations such
as the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Community
leaders hope the White House will consider Muslim Americans for posts in the
administration. They say this is not just a chance for Muslim Americans to show
their patriotism but also a chance for the country to engage the community and
recognize its importance. There are an estimated 7 million to 8 million Muslims
in America, but there have not been any Muslims appointed to key positions, as
yet.
A
White House aide confirmed the Obama administration had received the resumes,
noting that it is "not unusual" for the administration to consider
lists of job candidates suggested by constituent groups.
"We're
still very much in the middle of the [hiring] process, even when it comes to
very senior government employees. These things take time, and they're all based
on finding the right fit," said the aide, who declined to be identified
because he is not authorized to speak publicly for the administration.
"Muslims
are not looking for handouts," said Abdul Malik Mujahid, the Downers Grove
founder of the Muslim Democrats, who points to Zalmay Khalilzad, tapped by former
President George W. Bush for many key roles. "We're just looking for equal
opportunity and inclusiveness. That will give a far better message to the
Muslim world than speeches."
Eboo
Patel, founder and executive director of the Chicago-based Interfaith Youth
Core, said Muslims need to ask themselves what they can do for their country.
"While
that question would have made many feel squeamish in the Bush administration,
asking that question in the Obama administration should elevate us," said
Patel, who was recently appointed to the president's advisory council on
faith-based and neighborhood partnerships. "During the era of Obama, it
feels right to ask and answer that question."
Many
Muslims, such as Rami Nashashibi, executive director of the Inner-City Muslim
Action Network in Chicago's Marquette Park area, are ready to serve.
He
said he wants the administration to listen to activists on domestic issues such
as housing or helping ex-offenders re-enter communities. Muslim Americans have
a lot more to offer than just feedback on foreign policy or national security
issues, Nashashibi said.
Obama
is off to a good start, said Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress --
the second being Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.).
"He's
done a lot, and I believe he will do more," Ellison said, adding that
"I identify with the impatience. I want to see things happen faster."
Some
hope Atty. Gen. Eric Holder will reverse Bush administration actions such as
the FBI's decision to break formal ties with CAIR because it was named as an
unindicted co-conspirator in the case involving the Texas-based Holy Land
Foundation.
"We're
hoping that once Eric Holder puts the department in order and places people in
different positions, we can re-establish what were very positive relations
[with the FBI] in our 15-year history," said CAIR spokesman Ibrahim
Hooper.
Many
Muslim American leaders are telling members of their community to remain
realistic.
Obama
is "not going to be a magicmaker," said Imad Hamad, Midwest director
of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Michigan. "The
chilling effects that this community has endured over the last eight years with
the erosion of civil liberties will not end within the first six months of this
administration. People are not going to witness a major switch in certain
policies."
----------
nahmed@tribune.com
FOR
THE RECORD - Additional material published April 1, 2009:
CORRECTIONS
AND CLARIFICATIONS
A
story in the front section Sunday said the number of Muslims in America is an
estimated 7 million to 8 million. Those figures, based on numbers from Muslim
advocacy groups, are disputed by some who believe the true figures are lower.
The Pew Research Center, for example, estimated the total population was 2.35
million in 2007.
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