Muslim Mom on voting

I know currently the debate in the muslim community is whether or not to support Obama. I have received e-mails from both perspectives. Alternately encouraging me or discouraging me to give him my support. But I think the real question that we in the muslim community have not answered is do we participate in the political process? Incredible it seems to even ask. However I am married to one of those muslims who has not voted in the last two elections because he believes that the lesser of two evils is still evil and he wont have any part of it! I remember when Bush first ran in 2000 and there was a split in three camps. Some muslims (predominantly immigrant) gave him their support, another group, (predominantly African-American) went with the democrats and the third group said we shouldn't participate at all. Then September 11th happened and Bush's true colors were apparent. And EVERYBODY realized the importance of participating collectively in the process to focus our power. Or so it should have been a "no-brainer" but now in 2008 we are still not united. Not only are we NOT united behind a candidate we aren't even united on whether we should participate.

My opinion is PARTICIPATE. Take it from an African-American who is benefiting from the legacy of those who struggled for change. Change came when collectively the system was challenged and those challenges came from within the structure of the system itself. Using the courts, the legislatures even the presidency.