L.A. Mayor Connects With Muslims

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D), met with local Muslim leaders on Sunday and pledged to continue efforts to be more visible in Los Angeles' Islamic communities. He also apologized to the leaders for not responding to their e-mails about the crisis in Lebanon.

"It was gracious of him to say I apologize for the lack of communication," said Shakeel Syed, executive director of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, an umbrella group of mosques and organizations representing 500,000 Muslims.

The meeting between the mayor and about 10 Muslim leaders was characterized as "constructive" and is hoped to help head off the kind divisiveness that has roiled between Arab and Jewish communities the Detroit Area. The Mayor previously attended a rally held by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

Salam Al-Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said Muslim leaders were impressed with the mayor's swift response to their public complaints. "He demonstrated leadership today in taking responsibility and is determined to move forward in the most constructive way."

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