At The Muslim Caucus

When the convention broke into caucuses this morning, I decided to go to the Muslim caucus. It just sounded interesting and I didn't figure there would be many people there. I must admit, I was surprised at how many Muslims were chosen to be delegates to this convention.

According to the president of the Muslim caucus, over 120 Muslims were picked to be delegates to the state convention. Most were from the Houston area or the DFW Metroplex, but there were a few others from places like San Antonio, Marshall, Beaumont, and Port Arthur.

Here are a few statistics:

1. Between 2 and 3% of the American population are Muslim. That translates into between 10 and 13 million people.

2. California is the state with the largest Muslim population. About 22% of American Muslims live in California. Texas ranks fourth with about 500,000.

3. Around 83% of American Muslims identify themselves as Democrats. Only about 8% call themselves Republicans. That means the Muslims are as solidly Democratic a group as are African-Americans.

4. But the most moving statistic I heard today was that nearly 15,000 young Muslims are serving our country in the military. They are Americans who love their country and are willing to sacrifice to defend it. Many of them die defending our (and their) country, but when was the last time that was on the evening news?

Muslims dying for America because they are good citizens and love their country, is not a story the media wants to cover. They're far too busy trying to demonize Muslims as all being terrorists and America haters. Never mind that it's simply not true.

All the Muslims I've known have been kind, decent and hard-working people who love their country -- the United States. But too often they're treated as though they were worse than even second-class citizens. It's time for other Americans to stand up for and stand beside these wonderful patriots.

Racism and bigotry are just as bad when practiced against Muslims, as when directed against any other group (especially in a country that prides itself on religious freedom).