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FBI Reaches Out to Arab Muslim Americans
WASHINGTON, 15 June 2007 The FBI is trying new tactics to win over the opinion of Arab-Americans. In an effort to change perceptions about itself which were damaged by a wave of arrests and searches since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 it recently sponsored Arab-American and Muslim-American comedians to perform at the annual convention of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, ADC... WTF? Over 80% of Arab Americans are Christian. Many are refugees from Islamic tyrannies. We should be encouraging them to undermine Islamic jihadism. Cultural sensitivity always means: catering to extremists within non-assimilating ethnic minorities. If Arab Muslims can subvert the FBI, they can subvert America. Gwen Hubbard, chief of the FBIs National Recruitment and Marketing unit, explained the logic behind the FBIs support: We, within the FBI, are trying to break down a lot of barriers and create a different brand about the FBI within the Arab-American and Muslim American community. So, what better way that to allow the attendees to see us as we are? Were just like them we like to laugh and have a good time, too. Usually when you create a relaxed atmosphere, you can break barriers within the community, Hubbard told Arab News. Outreach becomes much more effective. As people become more relaxed and less guarded, and they are more willing to listen and share ideas to help enhance the overall mission. Historically, the FBI is viewed as very stuffy and straight-laced organization by certain communities across the US. We wanted to put a human face on the FBI, and you can be just like us, come in a join us as agents or in any professional staff position. Hubbard said the gamble paid off. Several Arab-Americans present at the ADC convention were recruited, and are now undergoing the application process. She said they hoped to book the comedians for a national conference of FBI recruiters in October. Gamal Abdel-Hafiz, an Egyptian-American and the first Muslim FBI agent, encouraged guests to consider FBI careers, adding, We will never change what we dont like unless we take part. Sounds like destructive-engagement to me. He told reporters that he had asked to speak to the ADC convention because he remained concerned by the lack of Muslims at the agency, which he said still had fewer than 10 Muslim agents out of a total number of over 12,000. Posted by: McZoid 2007-06-16 |
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