The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT), an umbrella organization representing American Muslim Alliance (AMA), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Muslim Student Association - National (MSA-N), Project Islamic Hope (PIH), and United Muslims of America (UMA).

The AMT-PAC has issued the following Election Advisory for the empowerment of the American Muslim community and for the protection of its rights and liberties.

1. Although after due deliberation the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT) has decided not to endorse any presidential candidate during the primary elections, we urge full participation by the American Muslim voters.

2. We encourage the American Muslim Community to continue registering those eligible to vote. Our overall strategy is premised on the belief that "Our vote is the best guarantee of our civil rights and the best expression of our citizenship

3. We urge them to use the following criteria to select presidential candidate: 1. Position on Civil Rights and other key issues detailed below. 2. Performance Record, 3. Funding Sources, 4. Campaign Coalitions, and 5) Inclusiveness.

4. We ask the community members to become visible in campaigns of their choice. Join hands with other Muslims and other like-minded fellow Americans working for the same candidate to create awareness of issues important to the American Muslim community (see below).

Issues

Over the last four years, the AMT has developed a consensual agenda that can be summarized as a "Civil Rights Plus" agenda, which means that ' the civil rights for all' is the main issue but not the only issue. We remain equally committed to education, homelessness, economic recovery, environmental and ecological safety, electoral reform, crime prevention, and global peace and justice. Our 'civil rights plus agenda' is broadly organized under three categories: a) civil and human rights, b) domestic issues of public good and general welfare, c) global peace with justice, prevention of war, and US relations with the Muslim world.

More specifically, we need to get their public support for three items:

1. Uphold the constitution and defend the civil liberties and human rights of all with unambiguous public commitment to due process, equal justice, and no ex post facto law.

2. Institute a fair immigration policy taking into consideration our security needs as well as significant economic contributions of undocumented workers.

3. End to War in Iraq and Afghanistan - We want these candidates to commit themselves to a) cease all hostilities, b) end the occupation, c) withdraw all military and civilian personnel, and d) dismantle all military bases.

For more information visit: www.AmericanMuslimV oter.Net