At the Islamic Society of North America conference this weekend, Ralph Nader made an “aggressive pitch” for the Muslim vote: U.S. Muslim Leaders Undecided on Candidate.

Independent Ralph Nader traveled here Saturday and made an aggressive pitch for their backing in a closed-door meeting held separately from the conference.

“We are still deliberating amongst ourselves,” said Salam al-Marayati, head of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a public policy group based in Los Angeles. A decision is expected next month from the American Muslim Taskforce, an umbrella group for major Muslim organizations. …

Nader, in an interview, said he alone was addressing Muslim issues. “We are the only ones who are speaking up on Israel, the Palestinians, civil liberties and malicious prosecution,” he said.

Muqtedar Khan, a political scientist and author of “American Muslims,” has tried to counteract Nader’s appeal, telling the community that a vote for Nader would ultimately help Bush. Yet some Muslim leaders say the Kerry campaign has missed opportunities to capitalize on Muslim resentment of the president.

Any ISNA members reading this: I strongly encourage you to vote for Ralph Nader, the only candidate who truly understands your cause.

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