Muslim rumors have dogged Barack Obama throughout this presidential campaign, but the political arrows flew fast and furious this week, leaving Maha ElGenaidi anxious that her community would be further wounded in the aftermath.

"The outcome of this game they're playing amongst themselves is possibly tragic for Muslims in America," said ElGenaidi, founder of the San Jose-based Islamic Networks Group.

American Muslims complain their faith is being used as a scare tactic, possibly inflaming prejudices already heightened by the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the subsequent war and terrorist bombings. The recent ploys, leaders say, insinuate that simply being or associating with Muslims is sinister.

This week, a photo of Obama in a turban surfaced, flashing across television and computer screens coast to coast. At a Republican campaign rally in Cincinnati, a speaker repeatedly stressing his full name, "Barack Hussein Obama." And during Tuesday's debate, the Democratic frontrunner was questioned about support from the Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan.

The faith group also finds itself politically isolated. Though candidates have been courting voters in this tight race, none of the three top contenders have met with major Muslim groups. Neither, they say, have major interfaith groups and politicians rallied around them to loudly condemn the anti-Islamic strategies.

"It would be good if the presidents and leaders of both parties would say: `Enough. We're better than this,'" said Salam Al-Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. "It's disconcerting to me they haven't."

The Republicans have criticized some of the tactics, as has the National Council of Churches. Muslim leaders say while the politicians' admonishments are needed, they fall short of the full-throated defense other religions would receive.

"They're not apologizing for the bigotry but rather it's unstatesman-like to insult each other," ElGenaidi said.

John McCain repudiated the conservative radio host at the Cincinnati rally who kept referring to Obama by his full name and said he would "saddle up next to Hezbollah." The Republican candidate said it was wrong to disparage Obama's or Hillary Clinton's integrity.

And after complaints, the Tennessee Republican Party altered a memo that used Obama's full name and a photo of him in tribal African garb, mistakenly labeled as "Muslim" dress.

Bill Hobbs, spokesman for the Tennessee GOP, said he didn't commonly use someone's full name and he couldn't remember why he made an exception for Obama. As for the photo, he found it on the Internet and it seemed relevant.

"The photo seemed to fit the issue being discussed - whether his policies would lean toward Israel," Hobbs said, "or whether he'd lean toward Israel's Muslim-dominated neighbors who are enemies of Israel."

He acknowledged that Obama isn't Muslim - he's a member of the United Church of Christ - but noted it was understandable that people questioned his religious affiliation. "His name, not just his middle name, brings that up, especially after Sept. 11," Hobbs said.

ElGenaidi wonders if such moves would be tolerated against another religious group. Imagine the furor, she said, if photos of a candidate wearing a kippa were circulated, along with whispers of, "You know is middle name is Jewish."

During the debate Tuesday, Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton took pains to "denouce" and "reject" Farrakhan for his past anti-Semitism. They've also met with Jewish groups and stressed their support for Israel.

Despite their concerns, Muslim leaders say they're careful not to overly criticize the candidates themselves.

"We know these candidates will do what they have to do to get voted in," said Safaa Ibrahim, director of the Santa Clara chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations. "Because there's such a negative outlook on Muslims, middle America would not smile upon candidates that are sensitive to Muslim issues."

Muslim groups have encouraged their members to vote and get involved in civic campaigns. But Sayarti said his MPAC group won't extend endorsements.

"You don't want to even endorse someone who doesn't even want to stand in public with you," he said. Plus, he acknowledged, an endorsement from a Muslim group could be seen as a liability.

Source: MCT