Why We Should Confront FBI Abuses Directly
By Salam Al-Marayati
Executive Director
MPAC , US
Who can forget the countless stories of persecution that the first generation of Muslims faced among the people of Bani Quraysh? They were persecuted, excluded, driven to pray in secret, spat upon publicly, and starved. And yet, faced with such terrible acts of persecution, the Prophet Muhammad repeatedly stood up with his dignity intact and continued to advocate for the inclusion and acceptance of those who believed in one God in his society.
He did not turn back and flee from his persecutors, nor did he stop interacting with them. Who can forget the story of the Prophet’s neighbor who would throw trash on his doorstep every day? When one day there was no trash on his doorstep, the Prophet did not rejoice. Instead, he visited his neighbor to inquire about her health.
Faced with the news that the FBI has used paid informants in at least a few Southern California mosques, we must draw on this example to demonstrate a thoughtful, critical and level-headed response, and prevent ourselves from reacting emotionally. The situation must be tackled head-on, and with a long-term view for our community.
I can’t help but feel that this news very much reinforces many Muslims’ fear about being monitored and erodes from the sense of safety that all people should have in their own houses of worship.
Two decades ago, Muslim organizations demanded a place at the table with federal law enforcement in order to have a forum through which to address our concerns, our communities’ experiences, and share our recommendations about fostering greater understanding between law enforcement and Muslim Americans.
We collectively won our place at the table and have consistently utilized these forums to raise community concerns about cases of profiling, hate crimes and stigmatization that follow.
Clearly, the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies need to hear from us loudly and clearly now more than ever. We may choose to march in the streets over this un-American intrusion into a house of worship, but we must also pursue every possible channel to expose this issue and call for scrutiny of the FBI’s actions. Choosing to suspend outreach activities in protest is not enough. Instead, we must use these outreach forums to express our sense of betrayal and call for immediate action. FBI officials need to see our faces and hear the pain and anger this news has caused. We also need to educate our neighbors about the FBI’s misuse of taxpayer dollars to monitor mosque attendees’ words and “test them for terrorist sympathies.”
It would be grave mistake to assume that even a temporary withdrawal from these public forums would not be celebrated by the opportunistic band of Islamophobes who comb the Internet looking for evidence of American Muslim alienation, and opportunities to formulate new policies will adversely affect our communities.
Government agencies must engage with the broadest spectrum of Muslim American organizations, rather than deluding themselves into thinking that tiny splinter groups can hold just as much community credibility and access.
Alongside the Islamic Society of North America, the Muslim Students Association – National, and the Freedom & Justice Foundation, MPAC leaders last week met with FBI officials in Washington, DC, to call for an investigation into the use of agent provocateurs and the inclusion of all Muslim organizations in ongoing outreach efforts.
As our community continues to grow and flourish, so will our opinions and approaches. Following the example of our esteemed scholars, we will continue to respect and work with our fellow brothers and sisters even when our methods differ.
Federal law enforcement agencies should recognize that community-based organizations are their greatest allies in protecting their communities and their country.
Our path as American Muslims is not easy, but we are assisted by the words of the Qur’an: “Do men think that on their mere saying ‘We have attained to faith’ they will be left to themselves and will not be put to a test? We tested those before you and will test you and God will mark out those who prove themselves true, and those who are lying” (29:1-3).
