Feared by Conservatives, Used by Liberals, Can American Muslims Find a Political Home?

American Muslims face a choice: Vote Democratic, or vote themselves off the island. That's how Haroon Moghul, the author of the coming memoir How to Be a Muslim, put it to me this month — and how many of my fellow American Muslim voters feel.As Republicans have embraced an extreme anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim platform, has the Democratic Party emerged as our only viable political home?"As a Muslim, I'd vote for Jesus, but the Republicans won't let him in, and the Democrats don't believe in him," said Hussein Rashid, a professor of religion at Barnard College, who concedes that he's a tad bitter about his political options. Like him, many American Muslims can't imagine voting for the Home Alone 2 actor who trumpeted anti-Muslim bigotry all the way to the White House. They also support progressive policies, like affordable health care and a living wage. But privately, they adhere to traditional values, believe in God and think gay marriage is a sin, even though an increasing number support marriage equality.Can the progressive tent stretch to include them?  Continue reading...