Up to 20,000 Muslims Expected to Participate in Mass Prayer & Pro-Islamic Events During the Dem Convention

Bureau of Indigenous Muslim Affairs (BIMA), a non-profit that handles Islamic affairs, is planning "Jumah at the DNC," a series of events that will coincide with the Democratic National Convention (DNC) this September. Through the three-day affair, prayer, an Islamic issues conferences, a cultural festival and more will unfold.

While the events are clearly geared toward Islamic adherents, Jibril Hough, a Muslim activist and a spokesperson for the group, said that everyone is invited to attend. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, Hough claims that the group expects up to 20,000 Muslims to attend the celebratory happenings.

Among the happenings will be a Friday prayer ritual -- the jummah -- which will likely be attended and performed by thousands of Muslims.

Naturally, many may wonder why these events are unfolding. According to Hough, the three-day initiative is being held to hold political parties accountable and to address the issues that impact Muslim-Americans. And what are these issues, you ask? The Patriot Act, the National Defense Authorization Act, and the New York Police Department's wiretapping program that has enraged many Muslims, among others.

Muslim leaders claim that they will address the "American Muslim plight" throughout "Jumah at the DNC."  A "protocol" document present on the group's web site explains the reason for the efforts and for choosing the location:

BIMA’s purpose in rallying large numbers of Muslims to participate in this event, Jumah at the DNC, is to make the general public aware that the Muslim community is a healthy and vibrant component to the American society. Being that these events will occur between August 31st and September 3rd; which happens to be the Labor Day weekend, we felt that it would be most convenient for Muslims to be able to travel without being inhibited by their work schedules and other obligatory duties. Also it is the best time for Muslims to capture national and international attention.

This platform is non-political and non-partisan; meaning that it is not an endorsement of any political candidate or elected official. It is intended to address the concerns and issues that are challenging to the American Muslim citizens in the 21st century. It is mandatory that concerned Muslims stand up for their Constitutional and Human Rights and repel the outright injustices that are being perpetuated against the American Muslim Community. This single complaint is characteristic of the many grievances that have transpired in this nation when bad government has infringed upon the rights of its citizens. But if we continue to remain silent on these issues or confront them on divided fronts we will continue to be ineffective in getting our rights as citizens of America acknowledged.

Here's more information about the event and those organizing it:

This initiative seems to showcase the fact that many Muslims -- or at least those planning the BIMA event -- feel that Democrats may be more in-tune with the issues that are important to them.

While the Journal reports that their main goal is holding political parties accountable (and the above video shows that they aren't ardent Democratic supporters by any means), one wonders if adherents and planners see a more symptomatic ears on the left.

After all, their planned presence at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, will come with much less fanfare. Currently, it isn't being promoted prominently on the group's web site.

(H/T: Creeping Sharia)