Muslims Urged To Vote In French Presidential Runoff

In France, after a first-round Presidential vote in which Muslims have been vilified, Muslim leaders-- particularly in southeast France-- are pressing Muslims to vote in Sunday's run-off election. AP reports that Socialist Francois Hollande is likely to be the favorite among Muslims since his run-off opponent, conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy, spoke out against Muslim practices in his campaign. In the initial election round, right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen who received 18% of the vote had particularly attacked Muslims, and Sarkozy in the run-off is seeking votes of Le Pen backers. However Dalil Boubakeur, head of the Grand Mosque of Paris, objects. The mosque issued a statement opposing the thrust of the get-out-the-vote campaign, saying: "Mobilize, yes, but not in the name of Islam.  In the name of justice, the economy, housing projects, misery, unemployment. But not in the name of Islam."