CAIR: NYPD Terror Report Casts Suspicion on All U.S. Muslims

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-
 Islamic Relations (CAIR) said today that a new NYPD report on
 "radicalization" may result in all U.S. Muslims being viewed with
 suspicion.
     CAIR says the 90-page report purports to outline a four-step process of
 radicalization, but in fact describes ordinary activities, associations and
 behaviors as indicators of a potential terror threat.
     SEE: Police Issue Report on 'Homegrown' Terror Threat (NY Times)
 http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/15/police-issue-report-on-homegro
 wn- terror-threat/
     In a statement, CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed said:
     "Whatever one thinks of the analysis contained in the report, its
 sweeping generalizations and mixing of unrelated elements may serve to cast
 a pall of suspicion over the entire American Muslim community.
     "The report lists sites that are likely to be visited by any American
 Muslim as radicalization 'incubators.' The sites listed include mosques,
 cafes, cab driver hangouts, student associations, nongovernmental
 organizations, butcher shops, and bookstores.
     "Despite raising suspicions against ordinary Muslims and the places
 they visit, the report itself states: 'There is no useful profile to assist
 law enforcement or intelligence to predict who will follow this trajectory
 of radicalization. Rather, the individuals who take this course begin as
 'unremarkable' from various walks of life.'
     "So while labeling almost every American Muslim as a potential
 terrorist, the report's authors admit that their findings offer no useful
 way to identify real terror suspects.
     "The report also claims that signs of radicalization include positive
 changes in personal behavior such as giving up smoking, drinking and
 gambling. It also makes similar claims about those who wear Islamic attire
 or a religiously-recommended beard.
     "Is Islamic attire or giving up bad habits, which is something
 recommended by leaders of all faiths, now to be regarded as suspicious
 behavior?
     "American Muslims and their institutions have been working closely with
 law enforcement officials nationwide on proactive measures to keep our
 country safe and secure. Muslims are working every day to build a more
 secure America.
     "In 2003, CAIR participated in a joint news conference with the FBI in
 Florida to urge the public to come forward with information about a terror
 suspect. In 2005, CAIR coordinated the release of a fatwa, or Islamic
 religious ruling, that stated in part: 'All acts of terrorism targeting
 civilians are haram (forbidden) in Islam... It is haram for a Muslim to
 cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of
 terrorism or violence... It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to
 cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all
 civilians.'"
      SEE: CAIR Backs Fatwa Against Terror
 http://www.cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=1675&theType=NR
     "By promoting stereotypes and unwarranted suspicions, the report's
 authors encourage marginalization of and hostility toward the American
 Muslim community."
     CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices
 and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the
 understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties,
 empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and
 mutual understanding.
     CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-
 8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications
 Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
 rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787,
 E- Mail: arubin@cair.com
 
 

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations