Two Muslim groups that have had generally positive relationships with the federal government have separately written the Justice Department and the FBI asking for investigations of anti-Muslim information used in FBI counterterrorism training.
Salam Al-Marayti, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), wrote FBI Director Robert Mueller asking for an immediate internal investigation and a reassessment of the vetting process of trainers.
Al-Marayti wrote that MPAC was “greatly concerned” about the training materials used by the FBI, which he said employed “highly selective use of quotes and sources from Islamic scripture; and, Dangerously false and reductive presentation of one of the most vibrant and visible faith communities in America.”
“Our communities need an answer from our nation’s top law enforcement leaders; silence on this issue only sends a message of complicity and ruins critical partnerships that have proven effective in keeping our nation safe and secure,” Al-Marayti wrote.
Farhana Y. Khera, president of Muslim Advocates, didn’t think an internal investigation was enough, asking the Justice Department Inspector General to immediately probe the FBI’s “use of grossly inaccurate, inflammatory, and highly offensive counterterrorism training materials about Muslims and Islam used to train its agents and other law enforcement.”
“These materials malign and disparage an entire faith community and their religious practice, in flagrant violation of the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) mandate to ‘ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans’ and our country’s fundamental values of religious freedom and pluralism,” Khera wrote.
While the FBI had cut off its relationship with the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) because they were listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in a major terrorism-support trial involving support for Hamas, both MPAC and Muslim Advocates have continued to meet with the government. Officials have also spoken at MPAC events. The organization does not accept any foreign funding, which Al-Marayati has said is one reason the feds are comfortable meeting with them.
