November 8, 2013

In 2013, the number of American Muslims in visibly appointed positions is grossly out of sync with the number of those who are politically and civically active all around the country. Yes, there are American Muslims serving in Congress, federal agencies from the Department of Homeland Security to the Department of Education and the White House; yet high level appointments at the federal level remain elusive. Why haven’t American Muslims’ civic and political engagement translated to appointed positions?

There are American Muslims serving now, including Rashad Hussain, President Obama’s Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Farah Pandith, the Secretary of State's Special Representative to Muslim Communities. Further, during the Bush administration, Zalmay Khalilzad served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Elias Zerhouni was the Director of the National Institutes of Health. Indeed, American Muslims have served in important roles to help implement strategies to engage Muslims in America and worldwide. What's needed now is for more people like Dr. Zerhouni, who can serve effectively in roles that are broader than Islam and Muslims.

According to Gallup, American Muslims are the most likely of any religious group in the U.S. to believe in the electoral system. Plenty of American Muslims are running for local and state elections – and are winning. They include Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin of Teaneck, NJ and Mayor Abdul Haidous of Wayne, MI and others who are an integral part of our civic life and serve as role models for many more. At the same time, there are countless numbers of American Muslims who are leaders in their professional fields on a wide range of issues whose voices would benefit any administration.

It is concerning to think the reason American Muslims are not being appointed to these positions is related to the ongoing political climate which leaves Muslims in public service vulnerable to false and baseless attacks meant to marginalize them from political participation and social acceptance.

President Obama’s first two defining speeches to the Muslim world were in Ankara, Turkey and Cairo, Egypt. Now is the time for serious engagement with American Muslims here at home reflecting the spirit of E. Pluribus Unum in public service.