The tragic events of September 11th have forced Muslims in America to deal with the issues of politics and media. Nihad Awad, executive director of CAIR (the Council on American-Islamic Relations), frames this discussion by first looking at how civil rights are eroding in this country. An example of this is the introduction of the Patriot Act in legislation and the forthcoming Patriot Act #2. If enacted and enforced, they will be "disastrous" for Muslims. What can Muslims do to prevent this from happening? What tools do Muslims possess and what avenues can they take advantage of to make a difference in the policy-making process that affects their lives on a daily basis? And how can Muslims change the negative image of themselves in the media? Should Muslims vote? Should Muslims work with non-Muslims? Should Muslims involve themselves in the public discourse? And if so, then how? Brother Nihad presents practical and concrete ways that Muslims can help themselves in this trying time and, more importantly, help the future generations of Muslims in America. This presentation on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa helps Muslims to realize the urgency of "coming out of the closet" and being on the frontline in the struggle for civil liberties and for the perception of Islam as a whole.

Other topics discussed: Congressman Paul Finley, Islamic books in the libraries, choosing the best occupation, the CAIR Library Project, why did CAIR support President Bush in 2000?, do Muslims have a long-term political vision?, Muslims and the electoral college system, the idea of shura (consultation) when endorsing a political candidate, and how to dialogue with the Christian Zionists.