February 12, 2010

The U.S. Constitution mandates that every ten years, an official count of the entire population, with basic information such as age, sex, occupation, etc. The Census is taken throughout the country to determine how the 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be divided and assigned.  States with larger populations -- as determined in the previous census -- will be awarded more congressional seats.  The recent influx into California, for example, awarded the Golden State more power in the House of Representatives, from 45 seats in the 1990s to now more than 50.

Federal funding for education, healthcare and other services are also allocated according to the size of the population of each state. Funds are also allocated toward preserving national parks and their natural habitats.

It's time to be counted again in 2010... By March 17th, every residence throughout the United States will receive a census application.  For Muslim Americans, being counted fulfills not only our civic obligation but also a few important Islamic obligations.  It provides valuable federal funds to keep schools, parks and libraries operating; and it helps the needy who utilize clinics, hospitals and welfare programs that receive support from federal funds.

As the Quran states:  "True piety is not turning your faces east or west, but true piety is belief in God and the last day and the angels and the revelations and prophets; and give from the money, however much he cherishes it, for taking care of their brethren, the orphans, the needy, the refugees, those who ask and beg, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage..." (2:177).

To help increase the participation of Muslim Americans in the Census, MPAC recently launched a campaign called "Count Me In."

It's time to be counted to help our fellow citizens and residents who are in desperate need of valuable government services.  That's the primary purpose of our tax dollars -- to be used to alleviate suffering and promote the benefit of society. For every one person who is not counted, $3,000 is lost to the state. This means for every 1000 people who do not send back their census form, $3 million of federal funding will not reach state budgets.

Census workers have found that some people are fearful of participating in the Census because they fear it will be used for intelligence and law enforcement purposes.  That's incorrect.  First, the law prevents the sharing of census information with any other federal agency.  Second, if you have a residence or a driver's license or have been naturalized as a US Citizen, they already know where you live.  So let us stand up and be counted during the Census next month, and let us move forward to fulfill the Islamic obligation of providing support for those in need.  It will benefit our future and our children's future greatly.