Islamic Free Market Institute Foundation
Hosts Muslim Leaders Symposium 2005

January 21, 2005 marked an influential and promising congregation of key political figures, various members of Congress, and numerous politically conservative Muslim community leaders to discuss pertinent issues for the Muslim community. This forum complimented this week's recent inaugural events: featuring Speaker Newt Gingrich, Senator George Allen (R-VA), Congressman Bob Barr, Congressman Don Ritter.

This event provided an opportunity to address new methods that could enable American Muslims to play a more active role in politics, specifically issues essential to the Muslim community. Muslim leaders expressed their desire to cooperate on key issues: such as civil liberties, homeland security, immigration, and charitable donations.

Patricia (Pat) Harrison, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs and Acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, explained the goals and challenges of the Department of State's cultural exchange programs. Andrew Natsios with the U.S. Agency for the International Development (USAID), provided participants with information regarding humanitarian, economic, and logistical assistance to tsunami victims, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Darfur.

Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, discussed the role of Muslim Americans in the 2004 elections; several suggestions were offered to create a united American identity without isolating the Muslim community by combining shared philosophies. Michigan State Representative, Jack Hoogendyk, introduced several successful outreach programs involving Muslim American communities to illustrate the role that politics plays on a local level.

Other speakers included Chairman of ACU, David Keene, Scott McConnell from The American Conservative Magazine, Ron Nehring, Chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego, Austin Ruse, and Deal Hudson from Crisis Magazine.