James Yee, a former Guantanamo Muslim chaplain once falsely accused of espionage, believes his presence as a delegate in the Democratic National Convention marks a promising sign of change in the post 9/11 America.
“That I’m here — that shows it,” former Capt. Yee told the Seattle Times on Monday, August 25.
The 40-year-old Muslim is among nearly 100 delegates representing Washington State in the Democratic Party’s 9th National Convention, which will formally endorse Senator Barack Obama as its White House candidate.
He is impressed by the fact that the convention, held in Denver, is hosting interfaith caucus meetings for the first time.
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“That they’ll now read from the Qur’an at a national political convention — that shows we have come a long way in this country.”
The Faith in Action gathering, which will proceed on the sidelines of the 4-day convention, brings together religious leaders from different faiths and includes readings from the Qur’an, the Bible and the Torah.
There are between six to seven million Muslims in the US, which has a population of nearly 300 million.
More than two millions of them are registered voters.
According to a survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Politics, sixty-three percent of American Muslims are Democrats or leaning in that direction.
Only 11 percent of US Muslims are Republican.
How Far?
Yee is aware that his presence at the Convention is a test for how far the US has come since the 9/11.
For weeks, he has been the center of attention from national media outlets.
“There is some worry that I might be a lightning rod,” Yee told the Times.
“‘Accused terrorist spy is national delegate for Obama,’” he said, imagining how Fox News might broadcast his story.
Five years ago, Yee was wrongly accused of espionage, sedition and aiding the enemy while serving in Guantanamo.
For 76 days, he was put into solitary confinement before being exonerated from all charges.
Yee later resigned from the Army with an honorable discharge.
Obama has been outspoken in refuting claims that he is a Muslim in disguise.
Yee, however, is unnerved by the publicity on his participation.
“I can see why Muslims wanted to go underground after 9/11.
“But I have found that if you speak up in politics you can have a positive influence.”
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