(Washington, DC - 7/28/08) -- The Muslim Public Affairs Council welcomes the appointment of Mazen Asbahi as the National Coordinator for Muslim American Affairs for the Obama ’08 Presidential Campaign. Mr. Asbahi will further the Obama campaign’s outreach efforts and participation in the Muslim American community. He will be based in Chicago at the campaign’s headquarters.

Additionally, he will serve as the National Coordinator of Arab American Affairs. MPAC looks forward to working with Muslim and Arab American organizations to develop a united effort to maximize our representation in the electoral process.

Asbahi is a senior associate at the law firm of Schiff Hardin LLP in its corporate and securities group in Chicago, IL. Additionally he serves as general counsel to a number of nonprofit entities and is active in a variety of civic, educational and charitable groups. He graduated cum laude from the Northwestern University School of Law in 2000.

The inclusion of a Muslim American voice in the presidental campaign reinforces the principle of pluralism in the electoral process. MPAC is confident that Mr. Asbahi will encourage Muslim Americans to be civically engaged. MPAC encourages the presemptive Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, to form a similar Muslim outreach program or appoint a liaison to the Muslim American community.

Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans.

[CONTACT: Safiya Ghori, 202-547-7701, safiya@mpac.org]