Weekly Terrorism Spotlight

Volume 1, Issue 2 (March 24)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Congress hopeful a Muslim moderate

Virginia’s Sam Rasoul, U.S. Congress hopeful, is a non-Islamic Muslim moderate, favoring secular government

Identified by the Council on American-Islamic Relations as a third Muslim prospect for membership in the U.S. House of Representatives, Virginia’s Sam Rasoul said he will have nothing to do with Islam’s radical teachings.

Rasoul told PRB News the distinction as a rare Muslim in Congress has some attraction for him, it is definitely not a defining factor in why he is running, however.

“That really is, I guess, something maybe exciting for some history-making viewpoint,” he said, “but my focus continues to be on the forgotten voice of America’s middle class.”

Rasoul said his belief in secular government means his religious views against such things as abortion and gay rights adheres to widely recognized Constitutional rights.

“I personally am against abortion, but as a legislator, I am beholden to the U.S. Constitution,” he said, adding he favors Virginia’s marriage amendment while believing a civil union should be available for gay couples.

“It impacts rights such as [insurance] benefits and child custody,” he said. “A child in any kind of loving household is better off than a child left in the system.”

Rasoul grew up in a Muslim home, but his family attended the Church of the Brethren, and he participated in the Boy Scouts of America there.

“We just liked being around good people,” Rasoul said, adding he continues to emphasize the equality of faiths in his social activities to this day.

“I grow spiritually when we bring people of all faiths together and help everyone,” he said.

He is liberal in his politics, emphasizing economic needs and poverty as essential areas of involvement to counteract upheaval, whether in U.S. cities or in the Middle East.

“We need to solve questions of economic development for those who are disenfranchised,” he said. “

Rasoul said he is not a theologian, and his view of jihad is limited to what it may be viewed as a defensive struggle against oppression – adding he believes the calls for violent jihad are evil.

“These radical Islamists are taking away and hijacking what President George Bush noted is a noble religion,” RAsoul said.

I believe there should be a jihad against these radical Islamists,” he added.

Rasoul said he has attended the Salem mosque on occasion, and occasionally visits a church he views as friendly.

Rasoul characterizes himself as an entrepreneur - he started several businesses such as women’s fitness, tanning salons, movie rentals and working with real estate, and he was recruited into starting a new medical sales distribution firm near Roanoke.