MPAC/CAIR Commend FBI
for Foiling Alleged Fort Dix Terror Plot
Washington,
DC: The Muslim Public Affairs Council and the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) May 8 commended federal law enforcement officials
for foiling an alleged terror plot targeting Fort Dix in New
Jersey.
SEE: ";6 Arrested in Plot to Attack Fort Dix" (New
York Times, 5/8/07)
During a conference call initiated by MPAC and other Arab,
South Asian and Muslim organizations, FBI Assistant Director
John Miller stressed that this is a case against a group of
individuals, not against a specific religious or ethnic community.
Miller also thanked the communities for their outreach efforts
and continued engagement. Dialogue with government agencies
and law enforcement is a crucial component of ongoing Muslim
American efforts to protect the nation and preserve the rights
of all citizens.
Working with law enforcement on the local level yields effective
partnerships between the Muslim American community and law
enforcement. FBI officials indicated that the plot was discovered
as a result of a tip they received from a local store clerk
who had received a disturbing video for duplication from one
of the suspects.
MPAC is outraged by the religious justifications used by suspects,
as revealed in the court documents issued. Their false and
sinister understanding of "jihad" in no way justifies
their alleged plot. At the same time, it is crucial that public
officials and federal law enforcement are strategic with their
characterizations of the suspects. Any affirmation of the
suspects so-called Islamic motivations serves to isolate the
majority of the Muslim American community rather than the
criminal elements who mask their heinous and terrorist acts
with Islam.
In a statement, CAIR stated:
"Based on the information gathered in this case, it seems
clear that a potentially deadly attack has been averted. We
applaud the FBI for its efforts and repeat the American Muslim
community's condemnation and repudiation of all those who
would plan or carry out acts of terror while falsely claiming
their actions have religious justification.
"We continue to urge American Muslims to be vigilant
in reporting any suspected criminal activities that could
harm the safety and security of our nation."
CAIR also requested that media outlets and public officials
refrain from linking this case to the faith of Islam. The
council asked mosques and Islamic institutions in New Jersey
and nationwide to report any incidents of anti-Muslim backlash.
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