US Muslims Lobby Obama for Posts

Hoping for an era of warm relations with the White House, more than 300 Muslim-Americans have submitted resumes for government jobs, the Los Angeles Times reports. Vetted by community leaders, the list includes Ivy League graduates, civil servants, and Fortune 500 execs. It was created "under the radar," one advocate said, out of fear it would put Obama "in a precarious position."

"Muslims are not looking for handouts," said one activist—but they are seeking to reverse Bush-era trends, such as FBI infiltration of mosques, which sent a chill through the Muslim-American community. Muslim advocates say they are hopeful, despite President Obama's silence during Israel's recent raid on Gaza. "These things take time," said a White House aide, who received the resumes. "And they're all based on finding the right fit." (More Muslim-Americans stories.)