Muslims want attention from candidates

DETROIT, July 5 (UPI) -- Muslims in the Detroit area are upset that neither of the presumptive major party presidential nominees has made an effort to reach out to them.

The area has one of the largest and most visible Muslim communities in the United States. In recent campaigns, candidates have addressed meetings or met with local religious leaders, The Detroit News reports.

"Any candidate should address the issues of American society, not a particular religion," said Dr. Abdul Raheman Nakadar, a retired cardiologist who publishes The Muslim Observer. "But when you ask a certain group for support, then you must. I would have expected both of them to reach out."

Michael Fauntroy, a professor of public policy at George Mason University, suggested that Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have different reasons for avoiding Muslims. Obama has been plagued by rumors that he is Muslim, while McCain -- because of his support of President George W. Bush's Iraq policy -- may not expect much Muslim support, political analysts say.

Activists say they are having a hard time this year convincing Muslims to vote.

"McCain and Obama are not saying anything about Muslims and Arab Americans, and we are being discriminated against every day," said Jana Musleh, 18, of Westland.