Unity Dinners

The United Muslim Association of Toledo has held countless events throughout the Northwest Ohio area in order to educate Muslim about politics.

1995
After returning from an uplifting Islamic Society of North America convention, Dr. Samina Hassan and Dr. Mahajabeen Islam-Hussain founded what would become known as UMAT.

1996
One of our first unity dinners was held in October of 1996 at Northview High School in the midst of a heated presidential election between incumbent President Bill Clinton and Republican challenger Robert Dole. This contest between a Bill and a Bob was not much of a contest at all and Bill ended up victorious. During our 'Meet the Candidates' night the president of American Muslim Alliance, Dr. Agha Saeed, addressed the crowd and riled everyone up. Candidates spoke and trumpeted their platforms. Some even trashed their opponents.

Following dr. Saeed was Editor of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, Richard Curtis, who plead with the audience to endorse Bob Dole. Rambling off figures and statistics, he motivated the audience and uplifted their spirits. For the first time in years, the Muslim voice could be heard, and could make a difference. But we still had a long way to go. Due to our infancy, we were able to attract mostly Democrats and few Republicans. But that was soon to change.

At this point, Muslims began to recognized their potential. But unfortunately, on the national scene, the Muslim organizations all went their own way, some supporting Clinton, some Dole. No consensus was ever achieved.

1997
A dinner held at the Medical College of Ohio's Dana Center recapped the great success of years past. A slide presentation accompanied by the 'Sound of UMAT' audio file was the highlight of the evening. Dr. Maher Hathout of MPAC in California was the guest speaker.

1998
More rallies and protest capped off by a 'Meet the Candidates' night at Northview High School.

1999
Another successful 'Meet the Candidates' night in October marked our hurried march into childhood and further growth. Many more Muslims from the community were in attendance, and members of both political parties pounced on the opportunity to sway the Muslim voters. Diners heard from a resounding message from Congressman David Bonior (D-MI) denouncing the unconstitutional law known as Secret Evidence, whereby a federal agency can detain and jail an individual without access to due process. Neither the individual nor the lawyer can see the so-called 'secret evidence' against the detainee. So far 24 of the 26 cases in which this law has been used have been Muslims or Arabs.

2000
In the first October of the new millennium UMAT had perhaps, its most successful dinner ever. Speakers from the Council of American Islamic Relations, a Washington DC based Muslim advocacy group, American Muslim Council and American Muslim Alliance spoke to the eager crowd. Candidate for Congress, Dwight Bryan, appeased Muslim voters with his universal message of prosperity and belief in an evenhanded foreign policy. Muslim voters at this year's dinner were treated to a very special message from candidate for president, Governor George W. Bush of Texas. The Governor discussed secret evidence, airport profiling, and foreign policy.

Muslims realize that this year, more than ever, their endorsement and vote will make the biggest difference. The presidential race between Gore and Bush is very tight, and key states where Muslims are concentrated, will make a difference.