On Friday, Feb 28, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and representatives from other Arab-American and Muslim-American organizations met with FBI Director Robert Mueller. The meeting was called to discuss issues of concern to Arab and Muslim Americans.
Subjects raised in the meeting included: the possible impact a war with Iraq might have on the civil rights and physical safety of the community; the FBI‘s “mosque counting” program; as well as the delay in issuing visas to persons from Arab and Muslim countries. Participants also discussed their concerns about upcoming legislation, such as the Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003, the so-called “Patriot Act II”, which has raised concerns about abuses of power by federal agencies such as the FBI.
According to the latest FBI statistics, between September 11, 2001 and February 14, 2003 the FBI has investigated 414 hate crimes relating to Arab Americans. Of those 414 cases, 350 have been closed and 64 cases are still pending. Of the 350 closed cases, 214 were closed with charges being filed.
ADC President Ziad Asali said, “We appreciate the Director responding so quickly to our requests. We are also thankful that the FBI has continued to send a clear message that hate crimes against our community will not be tolerated.”