Among the delegates from Minnesota in Charlotte, NC for the 2012 Democratic National Convention is Hinda Ali of Columbia Heights, who may be the first Somali-American delegate to a major-party national political convention.

She is also one of what one organzation reported is the largest number of Muslim delegates at a national party convention.

According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, "recent estimates place the number of Muslim delegates at more than 100, up from 43 Muslim and Arab-American delegates at the 2008 Democratic convention, and 25 at the 2004 convention."

Click on the YouTube thumbnail to hear how Ali was recruited by Minnesota's DFL Party, in a short video from The UpTake.

On Wednesday, Sept. 5, delegates heard a lineup of speakers highlighted by former President Bill Clinton:

Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012 Democratic National Convention Schedule

7 p.m. Central

• Stronger Together Video: Women’s Health
• Remarks by Elizabeth Ann “Libby” Bruce
• Remarks by Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America
• Remarks by U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, parliamentarian of the 2012 Democratic National Committee Convention and Democratic Whip
• Remarks by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, honorary chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee GLBT Council
• American Heroes Video: Veterans
• Remarks by Ed Meagher
• Remarks by General Eric Shinseki
• Remarks by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter
• Remarks by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper
• Remarks by Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of Roman Catholic Social Justice Organization, NETWORK
• Remarks by Delaware Gov. Jack Markell

8 p.m. Central

• Remarks by Karen Mills
• Progress for People Video: Small Business
• Remarks by Bill Butcher
• Remarks by California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris
• Stronger Together Video: Immigration
• Remarks by Benita Veliz, DREAM Act Activist
• Remarks by Cristina Saralegui, journalist, actor and talk show host
• Remarks by Sandra Fluke, attorney and women’s rights activist
• Remarks by Austin Ligon, co-founder and former CEO of CarMax, Inc.
• An Economy Build to Last Video: Auto-Industry
• Remarks by Karen Eusanio
• Remarks by Bob King, president of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) 
• Remarks by Randy Johnson, Cindy Hewitt, and David Foster, former employees at companies controlled by Bain Capital
• Remarks by U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

9 p.m. Central

• Remarks by Jim Sinegal, co-founder and former CEO of Costco
• Remarks by Elizabeth Warren, candidate for U.S. Senate from Massachusetts
• Nomination Process Set-Up
• Remarks by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, chair of the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee
• Remarks by President Bill Clinton
• Roll call vote: Alice Germond, secretary of the Democratic National Committee
• Benediction by Rabbi David Wolpe of Sinai Temple, Los Angeles

What did you think of Clinton's speech? Leave a comment below!

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