Representative Keith Ellison/ Courtesy of Flickr.com
The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talaal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre published its first edition in what promises to be an annual series of insight into the movers and shakers of the Muslim world. Entitled The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2009, the book categorizes Muslims' influential capacities into 15 categories: scholarly, political, administrative, lineage, preachers, women, youth, philanthropy, development, science and technology, arts and culture, Qu'ran reciters, media, radicals, international Islamic networks and issues of the day. As part of an ongoing series each week those receiving mention in North America will be highlighted.
Rashad Hussain/ Courtesy of pdsoros.org
This week a highlight on Muslims in America noted for their political influence.
There were only two Muslim men mentioned from the United States to wield political influence powerful enough to make the lists of the 500 most influential. These were Representative Keith Ellison from Minnesota, and Attorney Rashad Hussain.
Congressman Keith Ellison is currently serving his second term as a member of the House of Representatives. He represents the fifth district in Minnesota which encompasses Minneapolis mostly along with some other areas. He serves on the Financial Services committee and the Foreign Affairs committee. He is known to be the first Muslim elected to Congress in 2003. He is a lawyer by education.
Rashad Hussain is the Deputy Associate Counsel to President Obama. He is the first Indian-American to be appointed to this position. His resume includes time spent in the Department of Justice and Congress. He is a graduate of Yale law school.
There are many Muslims who are serving in the political arena at all levels of government: local, State and National. One notable politician to mention is Congressman Andre Carson from Indiana. Congratulations to Congressman Ellison and Deputy Counsel Rashad Hussain for being named to the top 500 most influential Muslims in the world.
Comments
Very cool! I bet a lot of people don't know this.
I heard that the organization wanted to do the top 1000, but they couldnt find that many who werent in prison.
nice book
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