Park51 Debate Spurs New York's Muslims to Go to the Polls

Just weeks ago, it seemed as if the controversy about a planned Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero would be a major campaign issue. Instead, most candidates have focused on the economy, jobs, and gridlock in Albany. But for New York's Muslims, the debate about the development known as Park51 has been a galvanizing force.

Mohsin Zaheer is a reporter for the newspaper tor Sada-e-Pakistan, which serves Pakistani immigrants in the New York area. He recently spoke with Weekend Edition Host Brian Zumhagen about the recent groundswell of Muslim interest in politics. Zaheer comes to WNYC from Feet in Two Worlds, a project of the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School that brings the work of immigrant journalists to public radio.