CHICAGO — In a bid to get more Muslim Americans working in the Obama administration, a book with the resumes of 45 of the nation's most qualified -- Ivy League grads, Fortune 500 executives and public servants, all carefully vetted -- has been submitted to the White House.
The effort, driven by community leaders and others, including Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), was bumped up two weeks ahead of schedule because White House officials heard about the venture, said J. Saleh Williams, program coordinator for the Congressional Muslim Staffers Assn., who sifted through more than 300 names.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday, April 01, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 National Desk 1 inches; 47 words Type of Material: Correction
Muslim hiring: An article in Sunday's Section A on efforts to increase the Obama administration's hiring of Muslims said there were an estimated 7 million to 8 million Muslims in America. A study by the Pew Research Center estimated the total population was 2.35 million in 2007.
"It was mostly under the radar," Williams said. "We thought it would put [President Obama] in a precarious position. We didn't know how closely he wanted to appear to be working with the Muslim American community."
The effort aims to get the administration focused on Muslim Americans, who have at times felt like pariahs. During the campaign, Obama's staff prevented Muslim women wearing head scarves from being photographed behind him in one of many incidents that left Muslim Americans feeling slighted.
Now, Muslim Americans, who according to a recent study overwhelmingly voted for Obama in November, have been carefully watching the administration's every step.
Most expressed disappointment with Obama's initial silence during Israel's offensive in Gaza, before he assumed office. They've been encouraged by the video message the president issued recently to the Iranian people on the eve of the Persian New Year and want more diplomacy with nations such as Syria and Iran.
They've been troubled by FBI admissions of sending what activists call "agent provocateurs" into mosques, and the bureau's break in ties with Muslim American organizations such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Community leaders hope the White House will consider Muslim Americans for posts in the administration. They say that this is not just a chance for Muslim Americans to show their patriotism, but also a chance for the country to engage the community and recognize its importance. There are an estimated 7 million to 8 million Muslims in America, but no Muslims have been appointed to key positions.
A White House aide confirmed that the administration had received the resumes, noting that it was not unusual for the White House to consider lists of job candidates suggested by constituent groups.
