Muslims look to Mormon model

When it comes to garnering political power, some minority groups look to Jewish success. It has been a remarkable history. Often overlooked have been the overwhelming political achievements of Mormons.

Now Muslims, who have faced their own discrimination, are looking to the Mormon model, but not for pointers on influence:

Muslims could benefit from analyzing how Mormonism moved from being a misunderstood, beleaguered faith to a respected member of the American religious mainstream.

That was the conclusion of a handful of Los Angeles-based Muslim clerics and leaders who came to Utah last week at the invitation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...

At every stop, the Muslims found common causes with their Mormon hosts, they said.

“We want to learn from our Mormon brothers and sisters how to handle the plight of being part of pluralism while preserving our religious values,” said Salam Al-Marayati, director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a public-service agency aimed at disseminating accurate information about Islam to the American public. “Studying the hostility to Mormonism can be instructive to Muslims, who face the rise of Islamophobia.”

More from the Salt Lake Tribune here. It should be noted, however, that no religious group can ever completely escape the skeptical eye. “South Park” has directed it at just about everyone, and the above clip is from “All About Mormons.”