The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) launched its 2012 “Muslims Vote” campaign designed to empower American Muslims by increasing their political capacity and presence.

CAIR’s initiative – launched two weeks before the January 3 Iowa Caucus — includes a 2012 presidential voter guide, an online voter registration tool, a video promoting online voter registration, and the Twitter hashtag “#MuslimsVote.” CAIR has also mailed all presidential candidates its 2012 election questionnaire.

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization’s non-partisan voter campaign will focus on ensuring that American Muslims actively participate in the 2012 election cycle by volunteering in election campaigns, registering to vote, hosting candidate forums, and by mobilizing other community members through “get out the vote” initiatives.

CAIR will also pay special attention to Muslim voters under the age of 30 who — like all Americans of that age — are under-represented on voter rolls.

“We’re calling on all American Muslims to fulfill their civic responsibility by doing their part in the upcoming presidential election.” – Robert McCaw CAIR Government Affairs Coordinator

“We are committed to making sure our community’s voice is heard in this critical election cycle,” he articulated.

“With large concentrations of Muslim voters in key swing states — such as Ohio, Florida, Virginia, and Michigan — the American Muslim community has the potential to be influential in determining the next president of the United States,” said McCaw.

Components of CAIR’s 2012 “Muslims Vote” election campaign include:

* Distributing 2012 presidential voter guides to ensure that American Muslims are knowledgeable about the candidates and their positions.

SEE: CAIR 2012 Presidential Voter Guide
http://tinyurl.com/cairvoterguide

* Registering American Muslims to vote throughout the election cycle by means of traditional and Internet-based initiatives.

SEE: CAIR’s Rock the Vote-Sponsored Online Voter Registration Tool
http://tinyurl.com/cairvotertool

Video: CAIR Guide to Online Voter Registration
http://youtu.be/kt943QF2kS8

* Distributing questionnaires to all presidential candidates. Candidate responses will be published in CAIR’s candidate scorecards, scheduled to be released in February.

SEE: CAIR’s 2012 Candidate Questionnaire
http://tinyurl.com/6sbmgba

* Distributing news items on CAIR’s Twitter account @CAIRNational using the hashtag #MuslimsVote focusing on niche news relating to Muslims and the election.

SEE: CAIR National Twitter Account
http://twitter.com/cairnational

* Reaching out to the leadership of the nation’s top four political parties.

* Promoting outreach strategies and volunteer opportunities for Muslims.

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.