Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Democrat, Cleveland, Ohio) took time out from campaigning in the New Hampshire primary – due to take place on 27 January – to talk exclusively to BBC World Service's Assignment programme.
He urges American Muslims to become part of the political process.
"It is about being insistent on a right to participate in civic life, on the importance of registering to vote and of voting and voting in-block to state the concerns of the community.
"Every group that has come to this country has experienced hardships. It is almost a rite of passage. Right now the rite of passage is more dangerous because of prejudice and efforts to separate people from the mainstream and almost institutionalise the separateness.
"In this case Muslims ought not to wait for anyone to welcome them. This is the moment to step forward and insist on a right to participate," he tells Assignment.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/01_january/21/assignment_kucinich.shtml