Muslim Public Affairs Council Meets with FBI
briefings about Islam and Muslims in America

by Isa-Kae Meksin
meksin@concentric.net

(Washington DC, May 28, 2003) -- The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), along with other American Muslim, Arab and South Asian groups, met with FBI director Robert Mueller in Washington DC earlier today.

During the 90 minute meeting, MPAC offered 10 points to enhance the partnership between American Muslim organizations and law enforcement, and two suggestions to work jointly with media. The points, which are listed below, were well received by all participants in the meeting.

Director Mueller indicated that the FBI would be providing feedback within two weeks on this working document. The Islamic Society of North America representative Mohamed Magid Ali endorsed MPAC's stand and expressed a desire to work jointly with MPAC to facilitate implementation of these points at the local level.

Other organizations attending the meeting included the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the Arab American Institute (AAI), the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), the Islamic Institute, the American Muslim Council (AMC), the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Islamic Center of Long Island.

Ten Tips to Enhance Partnership Against Terrorism

I. Recommendations for Communities

1. Set up community-based task forces working with federal and local law enforcement to discuss measures for protecting the nation. Interfaith leaders, human relations commission representatives, and civic leaders should be part of the task force.

2. Build a partnership that will focus on solving problems instead of reacting to crises. As responsible American institutions, it is the responsibility of community leaders to advise their members to be open and cooperative with law enforcement without hesitation.

3. Educate officers of houses of worship of their responsibilities regarding activities and speeches that take place on behalf of their organizations.

4. Educate youth with positive messages dealing with American citizenship and social responsibilities.

II. Recommendations for Law Enforcement

5. Create forums on how members of faith and ethnic communities can enhance dialogue with the FBI, Department of Justice and Homeland Security agencies in the local areas. 6. Publicly acknowledge positive role models within the community.

7. Coordinate with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to provide simplified lists to community-based organizations and to provide advisories that can help community members detect problems.

8. Present clear, unambiguous suggestions to citizens who want to assist in law enforcement efforts. The public needs to understand more clearly what it means to be 'vigilant', and it needs clear directives on how to report suspicious behavior. Federal and local agencies must provide specific tips on recognizing criminal behavior while discouraging hoaxes and vigilantism. These guidelines must be easily accessible on web sites.

9. Work with schools, both public and private, to educate students about the White House strategy on combating terrorism.

10. Develop a phone and e-mail contact list of the local representatives of law enforcement for community-based organizations. The FBI, US Attorney's Office, Department of Justice, State Attorney General, County District Attorney, County Sheriff, Mayor, and City Attorney must be on the list.

III. Joint effort with the Media

11. Publicize the partnership through press conferences and forums.

12. Work with national and local media to raise awareness of hate speech and exploitation of misconceptions.

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Muslim Public Affairs Council

Visit the website at:

http://www.mpac.org

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NOTE: As a matter of policy, MPAC does NOT accept any funding from foreign governments. The political and financial independence of MPAC will sustain the future of Islam in America. MPAC relies on your financial support to sustain its activities and represent the sentiments and interests of American Muslims not foreign governments.