Is this a sign of a promising 2007 or what?

Question

Take a look at this and tell me ur opinion please: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070103/ap_on_go_co/ellison_quran

Do you think this is an American "work" for a certain purpose?A new plan? or simply fair
elections that ended in favor of Muslims?

should we be happy?optimistic? or scared?

Actually i dont care about his agenda, and it wont be the reason i'll be happy or not.
ok i know he wont be the reason for world peace, but a Muslim who can provide some accurate info about Islam is better than nothing.
i'm an Arab, i love Arabs so much, but i care more about my religion's good Image.
i dont think i need to learn how to judge anybody, cause simply i dont hate non-arabs, or non-muslims, i'm just looking for a tiny piece of hope for me and my Muslim brothers and sisters.
My question here is whether they chose him as a plan to give a bad image for Muslims later? like false statements, rumors, misconception about Islam....etc

and Yes sometimes i have to judge by "who the person is" cause for me, a Muslim is different from an Atheist.
At least a Muslim believes in God and have respect for humanity.
(enough with open-minded slogans,lets be frank)

Answer 1

I agree with No body. Only time will tell whether this man is worthy of our pride and optimism.

Answer 2

I'm sorry to say this, but 90% of the Egyptian Gov are muslims.
So what? Does this mean 2007 will be good? by the way 100 % of the arab Gover. are muslims. Still this changes nothing.

I think we need to start thinking about who does what and stop making opinions based on the religion.

A religion is something that is very private between a person & God that I don't think that anybody should interfer in.

Answer 3

I cannot really tell you that I am happy, scared, or optimistic.. ok, it's true that some Muslims would think that this is an improvement or a huge step forward in favor of Muslims. But is it really? you never really know till it's too late. What is he going to do for Muslims? What has he done to Muslims? We should not just go with the crowed, clap our hands and be all happy about it that a Muslim is elected in the American Congress. My opinions are, and I'm not trying to judge Keith, if he was a really good Muslim who was willing to fight for Muslims rights and let them be heard.... he wouldn't have been elected in the first place... America does not want someone to tell them what to do. They basically tell him what he should and shouldn't do. I think the whole purpose of this is that they're just trying to deceive people by telling them oh hey we've hired a Muslim!! We are a good, open, free, hateless government. Muslims, ask yourself, why did they have to mention that this particular person elected for congress is Muslim? When a Christian or a Jew is elected, do they say so? or does religion only matters when it comes to Islam...
Lastly, this article has really offended me personally and should offend all Muslims in general. what the hell is this supposed to mean?

-He will use a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson.
-Jefferson's Quran dates religious tolerance to the founders of our country," he added.
-Ellison spokesman Rick Jauert said the new congressman "wants this to be a special day, and using Thomas Jefferson's Quran makes it even more special."

????????????????????????????????????
JEFFERSON'S QURAN????!!!!
I thought the Quraan is Allah's Quraan, Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) Quraan, The book of Islam, and the book of Muslims.
and what makes special that Thomas Jefferson once owned it?? Mr. Keith needs someone to guide him and tell him it is not called Jefferson's Quran, and that him owning it once does not make it special in any way.... May Allah guide us all to the right path.

Answer 4

In responce for your first question, I would like to say that this is simply a process of election that ended in favor of a "certain person"...
In responce of the second question, here is what we should feel :....
Nothing!!!!!
The fact that he is Muslim shouldn't mean anything to us. We shouldn't be happy or proud at all because he is Muslim. We, Arabs, need to learn to judge a person by what he "does" not what he "is".
If Keith Elisson is going to work on changing America's views towards the Arab and Muslim countries, then fine !! Then we can say he is a great guy. If he is going to change the image which Americans have about Muslims, then Bravo. Way to go Keith !!!
As for now, we need to look at the man's agenda and his views before we start to feel happy that he is Muslim.
Here is a simple item in Keith's political agenda. He supports gay rights, including the right of marriage

http://www.keithellison.org/issues-glbt.htm

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/03/26_scheckt_gaycivilrights/

I am sure everybody has his/her view about that, but this is something that is clearly prohibited in Islam as far as I know.

However, despite what I said. I am still willing to change my point of view about the guy in the future if he proves to be more useful to Islam and the Arab people. As for now, I am going to remain indifferent about the whole thing.
Thanks and have a great day

Answer 5

This is the product of MN voters! As a MN voter I voted for Keith Ellison just as did the majority of people here. There are two major reasons Keith Ellison won. 1. His platform was good and his opposition was an *** (my own opinion but obviouly others must at least partially agree since he won and his opponent didn't). For most people it had nothing to do with him being a Muslim or not. I don't see why that should matter... Muslims are people too ya know! 2. We do have a decent sized arab/muslim community here in MN especially a large Somali commuinity. This also contributed to his winning pecause all of them who could vote voted and most of them voted for Ellison. Ellison made his rounds to the local mosques and Islamic events and won votes. This certainly is not the work of the US government since the US government is currently in the controll of right wing ultra conservatives (who seem to contradict ever ideal they say they uphold), if it were up to them Ellison would be brought to another country and torture just as they would like to do to anyone who opposes him. I think we should be just as happy as we would if he were not a muslim. As a government official his duty is still to hold up the principles on which America was built just like a Chirstian or a Jew or a Pagan or an Athiest would be expected to uphold those same values. America has freedom of religion so why don't we see more religious diversity in the government. Our government is full of ridiculous laws based entirely in christianity (for example you can't buy a car or alcohol on a Sunday) even though our governmnet legally can't take the side of any one religion. Also, keep in mind that MN voters tend to think outside the box, we also voted Jesse "The Body" Ventura into office several yers back. As for the Qu'raan thing, I think it's ridiculous that they make everyone swear on the bible anyways. If your not a christian it's a meaningless gesture. A pagan won't feel religiously obligated to tell the truth and uphold ideals when swearing on a bible but the would if you let them swear on whatever documents they hold as being holy. A Bhuddhist would be in a similar baot as would a Hindu, Athiest, ect... I'm certainly not scared. Like it could possibly be worse than where our current government has left us? I'm happy that the balance of power is shifting in our government and I'm happy that it's becoming more diversified just as it should be. All of that does make me optimistic. If a muslim ran for president and had a good platform I'd vote for them because it's not about religion it's about politics. As far as supporting gay rights Kieth supports peoples chioce because it's thier choice but does not support it personally. Why do somany people confuse supporting something politically with believing it to be right personally. He doesn't and shouldn't have to prove himself useful to arabs or muslims. He only has to prove useful to the US citizens whose daily lives he will be affecting. He cannot promote only Islamic agenda in the US because we are not supposed to support or favor any one religion over the other. He may support gay rights but at least he's not saying he's against them and then secretly engaging in them like some certain republican figures who will remain nameless right now. As for using Jeffersons Qu'raan it's not like he thinks Jefferson's the creator of the Qu'raan it's special because it's a connection with America's multicultural past and our forefathers tolerance and acceptance towords all people of all religions. He's well aware of the fact that it is Allah's message and that's still what's important. From what I know about Kieth Ellison he seems to be a good Muslim and if he lives up to his campaign promises he's a good politician too. Some people you know will be bad (like Bush,I never voted for him and thought he was an idiot before he was elected... through cheating), some you just have to wait and see but he seems good so far so hell yaeh I'm optimistic.

Answer 6

i am afraid i can't share your optimism about 2007 because one person elected for the american congress who happened to be muslim!?
what is that has anything to do with us egyptians or muslims with being optimistic about anything?
He can't change the american higher strategic goals in the mid east!
He can't stop the occupation in Iraq.
I think US will let a civil war happens in Iraq very soon, they will watch, then appear when both sides extremely convinced that there is no winner and ask for help, they will appear as the savior.
About us here in Egypt; Mubarak's regime is doing fine with them plus there's no alternative in the horizon!

i m a naturally optimistic but there is no solid good reasons which make me so.

Answer 7

hi yasmen i read ur quqstions and i love it im an arabic girl from israel ithink about ur quastion the work is not important for im amuslim in israel school my school is fashion we wear what we want are u from egypt? im have email take it if u want to talk to me oh iam forget i suprized from u becaus ur know english too much i like that good bay

Answer 8

:)

"The Other" !

its always about "the other"!

why should "the other" be that important!

i agree with some of both "No body" and with much of "Cassandra" !

Answer 9

i think this is a normal extension