European Muslims look to Obama for Hope

The Voice of America reported an interesting story from Thiais, France about Muslim and other minority politicians in Europe who are looking to Barack Obama for hope in their own campaigns. European minorities (like American minorities) are woefully underrepresented in their political systems, but the idea that a person of color can transcend the racism and prejudice of society to achieve the most powerful office in the world is causing a stir of excitement. Zohra Bitan, a Socialist candidate in Thiais regards herself as fully French. Her parents were economic migrants from Algeria.

In Thiais, Bitan is also following Barack Obama and his chance of becoming America's first black president. But she doubts a Barack Obama will emerge in France anytime soon.

Bitan says France is ready to elect mayors or members of parliament who are a racial minority. But she says the country is not ready for an ethnic minority as president.

Coskun Coruz, a member of the Dutch Parliament, also thinks that an Obama presidency could send a powerful "signal" to Europe. But he also notes that immigrants to Europe (Coskun migrated from Turkey to the Netherlands when he was 6, but now feels "%200 Dutch") must become active European citizens and "work for change."

via Islam in Europe.