Post date: Mar 17, 2012 1:38:47 PM
US-Muslim Surveillance Reax -- Muslims feel persecuted over surveillance of NY Police Department
USA-MUSLIM SURVEILLANCE - Muslims feel persecuted over the surveillance of New York Police Department (NYPD) in the United States.
At the Ar Rahman mosque in Midtown Manhattan, the Muslim faithfully arrive for Lunch-time prayer. Here and at many Mosques around the city, a growing disquiet over the extent of the NYPD's surveillance of Muslims and in neighboring New Jersey and beyond…
And the Muslim feels they are oppressed out of their religion."I am an American citizen, and I myself was victimized by this situation, twice I was called into the police station and every now and then they are calling me from a restricted call and trying to make me fearful, the FBI came to my house, a couple of years ago for nothing," said Mohammed Chowdhury.
According to Naji Khaled Iman, there is fear and frustration in the community.
"Why are we being singled out, why are we being profiled and that is why they are not satisfied with it because we have the freedom of religion in America and we are not seeing that," complained Iman.
But a majority of New Yorkers say the surveillance is valid, and a whopping 89 percent of voters in a recent poll approve of the way the NYPD is handling terrorism, many point to plotters like Faizal Shahzad, the American Muslim who planted a bomb in Times Square nearly two years ago.
"I don't see anything wrong with it [the surveillance of Muslims], I think it's better be safe in these area," said one New Yorker.
"My dad is a Muslim, I'm definitely totally for the safety precaution of New Yorkers," said another.
The NYPD have defended the aggressive surveillance saying that it has helped identify 14 plots against the city since 2001 - but they have been criticized by officials in New Jersey and elsewhere for the extent and secrecy of their operation.
Nash Hassan has a unique perspective, he was in the World Trade Center when it was attacked a decade ago, he believes that the process of understanding Muslims in the U.S. is till not complete.
"I think it will blow over, it is a question of understanding the Muslims and their culture and their background," said Nash Hasan.
The NYPD could end up in court as several colleges mosques and individuals are set to sue the police accusing them of breaking laws on racial profiling. However it may be a difficult case as the NYPD maintains it was potential leads that led to the surveillance not religion.
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