Spying on US citizens: FBI surveillance of Muslims takes a political turn

Just the facts

With a few weeks left to go before the US Presidential elections, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has quietly begun a series of new interrogations of individuals in Arab and Muslim communities across America. While these “voluntary interviews” (officially called the “Fall Threat Task Force” but dubbed by critics as the “October Plan”) are in many ways an extension of the scrutiny of Muslims since September 11, 2001, the political overtones (and timing) have brought charges of an attempt to stifle political expression. According to CAIR, Muslim leaders around the country said they had been contacted by the FBI in a “community outreach” campaign, although in many cases being presented with a detailed list of community members the FBI wishes to speak to. Slowly, the pattern has played out across the country – in North and South Carolina, California, Idaho, Kansas, but notably in battleground states such as Michigan, Nevada, Washington, Florida, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. The FBI maintains that the elections and other recent events warrant the measures. “We’re trying to get a feel for people in the community who are dissidents, who are anti-government,” said an FBI spokesman. “We’re trying to learn if within the Muslim community, are there supporters of terrorism in Iraq?” However, where individuals have been interviewed, they have been asked political questions (How do you feel about the Bush administration? What do you think of U.S. foreign policy in Israel? Would you become a confidential informant?) that have made many wary of political activism or even voting. “What is the point of asking a Muslim that question?” said the ACLU’s Dalia Hashad (referring to inquiries on President Bush). “He’s entitled to his political opinion as much as anyone else.” The ACLU, which has stepped forward to highlight the practices, has reported intimidation as well. The chill mirrors the crackdown on Islamic charities, which may continue to result in decreased donations during Ramadan (which begins this week). Despite these concerns, Muslim leaders maintain that they will be supportive and cooperative wherever possible. “They have every right to question. it’s their duty to question and the Muslim community supports that,” said the attorney for a mosque in Boise, Idaho. “It’s how it’s done.”

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.