The Welshnationalist party, Plaid Cymru, says that it is confident of winning support atMay's devolved parliament elections that will bring the first Muslim assemblymember in
Plaid officials believe that the party will win three additional constituencyseats and at least one extra list seat in South East Wales that would seeMohammad Ashgar elected after a narrow failure in 2003, the Western Mailreported.
Asghar, an accountant of Pakistani origin, also unsuccessfully stood in thelast elections to the British parliament in 2005.
The Cardiff-based National assembly for
Last year, Plaid Cymru said it was seeking to win votes at the May electionsfrom anti-war opponents of Prime Minister Tony Blair's ruling Labor Party.
The Western Mail said the party is almost certain that it will repeat itsvictory in 1999 by winning 17 seats in the 60-member assembly and regainingfive seats lost in 2001.
Officials say the Plaid, who also has three MPs elected to the 646-seat Houseof Commons in
According to a 2001 census, about 1,536,015 Muslims live in
Since the Sept. 11 attacks in the
However, this didn't hold back many Muslim immigrants who succeeded inestablishing themselves in Western countries, participating in the politicalprocess and setting an example to other Muslims who are struggling to live inthe West.
Source:Agencies