Who is Hillary Clinton? That's a very good question; one that needs to be answered by Muslims before July, when the First Lady formally launches an exploratory committee to determine her viability as a New York Senatorial candidate. Speaking to Diane Sawyer on ABC's Good Morning America last Friday, Clinton disclosed that she would indeed launch an exploratory effort and that she would subsequently "spend some time, a lot of time, in New York listening to people." And what better people to which she should lend an ear than New York's nearly 1 million Muslims.

Like other minority groups in the United States, American Muslims are waking up to the reality that they can have lasting impact and effect on the American political system so long as they speak up and let themselves be heard. And Muslims should look at Hillary Clinton as fertile ground into which they can plant seeds of political progress with reference to issues of importance to Muslims.

Why Hillary? Well for one, it would seem she has a certain appreciation for Muslims. Throughout her husband's presidency, Clinton has been a frequent visitor to Muslim countries. Whether it was Pakistan, Egypt or other parts of North Africa, Hillary has shown no shyness about meeting the people and having frank, respectful discussions on issues of women's rights, development and other social topics. In fact, Mrs. Clinton is currently preparing for a visit to Palestine, Jordan and Yemen.

Yes, these frequent trips to Muslim lands can be explained as mere public relations opportunities to help bolster Bill Clinton's fractured credibility in the Muslim world. However, one cannot overlook the personal effects that these sorts of interactions can have. One cannot jump inside Mrs. Clinton's head and ascertain what she took away from face to face talks with strong, committed, content women in these countries. One cannot measure the impact of Mrs. Clinton donning a headscarf and modest clothing for a visit to a masjid (mosque).

Something else American Muslims need to recognize is the fact that Hillary Clinton is not a name synonymous with the "Bill Clinton Presidency." The sins and poor judgement of her husband are not indications of her own integrity or ability to represent. And if her flirtations with public office are any indication, Mrs. Clinton might be an influential, independent political dynamo of her own.

New York is an important political state and the Senate seats there are highly coveted. Muslims need to recognize this and get to the business of figuring out whether Hillary Clinton be friend or foe. And if there are points of policy and interest on which Mrs. Clinton and the American Muslim community can agree, and if these are numerous enough to warrant some sort of American Muslim endorsement of her potential candidacy, then American Muslims need to catch a sympathetic ear before other special interest groups do.

In other words, weigh in early and often. Let Mrs. Clinton know that she if she gets her act together and stands beside Muslims on key points of domestic and foreign policy, that she can dispense with the usual suspects whose support candidates need in order to get elected in New York. Let her know that she can stand on the good side of an influential voting block that will only grow more powerful in the coming century.

Ali Asadullah is the Editor of iviews.com