BOSTON, MA – On Saturday, May 22 at the ISBCC, over 1200 Muslim-American leaders from over 25 different Massachusetts Muslim institutions, including 15 mosques, met with Governor Deval Patrick. At this meeting, Muslim leaders unequivocally condemned all forms of terrorism, particularly those done in the name of Islam.
But the meeting was far more than that. It was an exemplary manifestation of the practice of democracy. In the three months leading to the meeting, these 25 Muslim institutions had engaged in a civic engagement campaign where they held over 15 community meetings surveying over 500 Muslims on their challenges. At the meeting itself, the Muslim leadership engaged in a respectful and constructive conversation with the Governor to tackle these challenges. The leaders proposed cultural sensitivity trainings for law enforcement agencies and school districts, so that they will avoid discriminatory and racially profiling practices – as stipulated by our constitution. At the same time, the leadership also solidified a partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to train its own community in knowing their civil rights – as guaranteed by our constitution. Finally, the Muslim community strengthened its partnership with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) on the issue of usury, sending a clear signal to the Massachusetts community that it seeks to work with its 
fellow neighbors and citizens to better our state and our nation.
The meeting was also an incredible manifestation of the melting pot that is our nation. In the audience were African-Americans, Somalis, Moroccans, Sudanese, Nigerians, Algerians, Indians, Pakistanis, Syrians, Palestinians, West Africans, Latinos, white Americans, and interfaith leaders from the Jewish and Christian communities.
On Thursday, May 27, Gubernatorial Candidate Treasurer Timothy Cahill released a statement, attacking the Governor for his public conversation with Muslim-American leaders. The statement is bigoted and undignified. Even worse it is anti-democratic. Should not the Governor be meeting with any and all constituencies – no matter their race or creed – to encourage them in grassroots civic engagement of their communities, to listen to their concerns, and to 
work with them in meeting their challenges for the betterment of all Massachusetts citizens? Is that not democracy – the fabric of our nation? Is that not what makes our nation of the people, by the people, and for the people?
To take powerful action, the Muslim community – led by the Muslim American Society of Boston and the Islamic Council of New England – will hold a press conference with its prominent allies in the Interfaith Community in front of hundreds of leaders to decry the anti-democratic and insensitive nature of Candidate Cahill’s statement at 2:15 pm on Friday, May 28 at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center.
/MAS Boston/