address to CAIR-Ohio iftar
Dennis Kucinich gave the following speech to CAIR-Ohio at a November 8 iftar:
Assalaamu Alaykum. Ramadan Mubarak
Thank you for inviting me to this Iftar dinner. As always it is a pleasure to be among friends -- especially at this special time of the year. This is not my first Iftar dinner, but even so it always moves me to be among you during this particular time of renewal and inner reflection, this time of cleansing one?s spiritual being, one?s physical being and one?s emotional being. This is a time for developing a greater and deeper sense of humility, community and humanity, compassion for those in need ? and that is something we can all benefit from. As Ramadan has started here ? it has also started for people in other parts of the world. My mind turns immediately to the people of Iraq and how they are faring at this time. And I am reminded of one of the very important lessons of Ramadan ? that it is a duty for those With to help those Without ? an obligation for t hose who Have to aide those who Have Not. This universal principle has brought together so many likeminded individuals in this country and across the globe who have spoken out against the injustice of the current administration?s unilateral actions in Iraq ? from the initial bombing over a year ago to the privatization of Iraq?s natural resources as we speak. Because I believe in this principle and because I believe that war is wrong, I voted against the war resolution over a year ago, and as chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, led the largest caucus of Democrats in Congress to vote against it as well. And we continue this significant work, calling for the troops to be sent home and for the international community to be sent in.
Ramadan is also a time to give thanks for all that one has been given. As human beings we have certain inalienable rights ? rights that no set of laws or misguided policies should be able to take away. Unfortunately, since the enactment of the misnamed US Patriot Act by the current administration, these rights have been infringed upon and no one knows this as intimately as you ? the Muslim American community. Muslims and non-Muslims of Arab and South Asian origin, both citizens and immigrants have suffered the brunt of this unjust piece of legislation. The oppression of one is the oppression of all. Discrimination against one is discrimination against all. That is why I voted against the misnamed US Patriot Act and that is why I introduced legislation to repeal portions of the Patriot Act that are most reprehensible. And that is why I have cosponsored a recent resolution condemning discrimination against Muslims, Arabs, South Asians. I congratulate CAIR-Ohio on their recent recognition by the ACLU. CAIR-Ohio received the annual Liberty Flame Award for their efforts in this very significant area. We have to continue this work if we are going to make a change for the better. And it can be done. I know it can be done. You, the Muslim American community, came together for the first time and voted as a bloc in the last presidential election. Some may say that the Muslim American bloc vote was responsible for the election of the current administration. But don?t worry, I don?t hold that against you. :) You see, it can be done. You did it. You can do it again ? this time for the right candidate. You must go out into the various Muslim communities in Ohio and across the country and encourage people to vote. Register to vote as Democrats in time for the primaries (the Ohio Primary is on March 2nd and then make your voices heard by voting your conscience. Vote for the candidate that you feel best represents you. And know that it doesn?t take a lot of votes to win a primary. Your votes do count.
This world has become a dangerous place for everyone - for us, for our parents, for our children, for our friends and family - in large part due to the misguided actions and policies of the current administration. It is obligatory upon all of us to end this madness. It?s now or never ? and we must together make our voices heard. When we do, the world will once again be a beautiful place, InshaAllah. Thank you
(transcribed by an attendee)
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