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NY Muslim Leaders Call FBI Request for Help "Racial Profiling"
With recent warnings of possible terrorist attack this summer, FBI agents are asking Muslims to alert them of any terror activity within their communities. Muslim leaders in Rochester call the request offensive and a form of racial profiling. Hanif Abdul Wahid and ten of his friends patrol the streets of Rochester twice a week. They focus on the area known as the "Crescent," which some believe has the highest crime rate in the city. Their group, called RAIN--Rochestarians Against Illegal Narcotics--is made up of those in the Islamic faith. "It's to promote public safety in the neighborhood, good citizenship. We try to help curb the violence in the city," he said.Recently FBI agents have been told to establish contacts with Muslims across the county. The US government believes this could stop an attack. While he volunteers for pubic service, Wahid says the FBI's request directed at Muslims is offensive. He believes it sends the message that all Muslims are terrorists, which, he says is far from the truth. "Some part of me says that they shouldn't have to do that, because naturally Muslims are law-abiding citizens, and they cooperate on the side of what's just," Wahid said. Mohammed Shafiq, the executive director of the Islamic society of Rochester calls the request another example of racial profiling. "[It's] Racism in the sense that when you pinpoint a particular race for something--meaning that you're undermining their sincerity, their patriotism in this country," he said. Shafiq says he has not been contacted personally by the FBI, but like any other US citizen--he would never hesitate to contact law enforcement if he sees or hears anything suspicious. Posted by: TS(vice girl) 2004-07-11 |
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