From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Muslims in America. From politics to the workplace, are Muslims here carving out their own identity?

I'm Sarah Terry sitting in for Warren Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International, a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

The Muslim religious tradition of Hodge has begun, drawing Muslims from around the world to religious sites in Saudi Arabia.

Here in the U.S., the nation's first Muslim congressman will be sworn into office next week.

What does it mean to be Muslim in America?

How does the religion fit with American cultural and political life?

Does Islam here differ from Islam in other parts of the world?

On reporter's notebook, film critic Ken Turan talks about Clint Eastwood's remarkable pair of films about the battle for Iwo Jima.

First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John

D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. I'm Sarah Terry sitting in for Warren Allney, back

with To the Point from

PRI. We'll be talking about Muslims in America. As the religious pilgrimage to Mecca or

Hajj begins today, America's first Muslim congressman prepares to be sworn into office next week. How

do American Muslims practice their religion in a culture that is often at odds with their beliefs.

Is a distinct American Muslim identity emerging?

On reporter's notebook, Clint Eastwood's Tale of Iwojima and the two films he made about one ferocious battle.

First, this news update.

In New Orleans this morning, former Senator John Edwards announced he'll be making a bid for the White House next year.

Edwards, who also ran for the Oval Office in 2004, is building his campaign on what he calls, quote,

...