American Muslim Democratic Caucus emerged as the largest Platform at Democratic Party for Muslims in America. Our visionary leaders late Dr. Inayat Lalani from Texas and late Mushtaq Mirza o Massachusetts along with other national leaders came to the conclusion that Democratic Party is home to Muslims in the two Party American political system.
Post 911 political landscape was challenging for Muslims. In an environment where all of the Muslim organizations were under strict scrutiny. All of our Mosques and individuals in the leadership were under severe surveillance, and Muslim individuals were considered a suspect by common citizenry. Creating Muslim political platform in this environment was a daunting task. The Muslim Democratic Caucus of Texas was formed in 2002 with objectives of recruiting Precinct Chairs, organizing Muslims to participate in Democratic Party conventions and negotiating with Democratic leadership to create welcoming space for Muslims in the Party.
American Muslim Democratic Caucus is an extension of MDC of Texas. Texas leadership came together with leadership of other states to replicate and improve from our experience in Texas. Democratic Party National Convention is a place for convergence of Muslims from all over the US to organize the community by states.
AMDC is working to have Muslim Grass-root organisations independently organised in every state, working for rightful place for Muslims as equal citizenry
2004 DNC Convention Boston MA
Late Mr. Mushtaq Mirza hosted a Luncheon for National Delegate in Cambridge Mosque. The idea of American Muslim Democratic Caucus emerged from a consensus formed among the leaders and National Delegates meeting at Luncheon.
John Kerry campaign sent surrogates who were speech writers to this luncheon. Speech writers were asked to make sure that John Kerry’s exception speech must not have Islamophobic vocabulary which was developing after 911.
The Muslim gathering was reported in few of the news media as Muslims first attempt to organize post 911. See Harvard University Pluralism Project here
2008 DNC Convention Denver CO
The American Muslim Community held its first ever caucus at the Democratic National Convention on 25th Aug 2008. Congressmen Keith Ellison (Minnesota) and Andre Carlson Indiana) praised the organizers (who mainly came from Texas) on this historic event.
The Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick welcomed the Muslim Delegates to the Democratic Party and applauded the services of the American Muslim Community as a positive force for the good of the society and democracy.
An estimated 200 participants participated in the American Muslim Democratic Caucus including about 50 national delegates who were elected from all over the country.
Thousands of Muslims were moving from Republicans to Democratic Party since 911. Fazal was one of them, American Muslim Democratic Caucus provided a forum and a platform to facilitate their landing at Democratic Party big tent Umbrella. See Fazal Fazlin speaking to media here
The media covered the event extensively and reports have been published in international and national papers. A press conference was held by leading organizers that included Dr. Inayat Lalani (Chair AMDC), Sarwat Hussain (President Texas MDC), Syed Fayyaz Hassan (President Elect Texas MDC), and Dr. Masarrat Ali (VP Elect Texas MDC). The organizers talked about the growing political clout of the community and shared plans to start chapters in different states. See the Nation coverage here
2012 DNC Convention Charlotte NC
AMDC hosted 2012 Convention Gala Luncheon. Congressman Keith Ellison was the MC and spoke to press conference. Rashida Tlieb, Congressman Andre Carson, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Jim Zogby, Amy Goodman, Texas and Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairs spoke.
The event attracted more than 250 in attendance including 120 Muslim delegates at Blake Hotel in Charlotte North Carolina. One of the highlight of the convention was participation by Sikh community leaders which was noticed by media.
Congressman Keith Ellison addressed the Press Conference along with AMDC Co-Chairs Syed Fayyaz Hassan and Sarwat Hussain. Briefing the media Congressman Ellison highlighted the significance of Muslim votes and activism.
The event was widely reported by ABC, CNN, VOA, LA Times and local newspapers reported. Aftab Siddiqui was highlighted in LA Times news. See the article here.
2016 DNC Convention Charlotte NC
AMDC hosted 2016 Convention Gala Luncheon. Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson was the KeyNote Speaker, Congressman Keith Ellison Congressman Andre Carson, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson were among speakers. Widely reported by Philadelphia Enquirer, Miami Herald and other local newspaper reported