04 March 2003
FBI Director Meets with Muslim, Sikh, Arab-American Leaders
(Reinforces FBI's Commitment to Protecting Civil Rights) (570)
The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert Mueller,
met with leaders of Arab American, Muslim and Sikh organizations in
Washington February 28 and said the F.B.I. stands ready to take
"strong and immediate action against hate crimes in the event of any
anti-Arab American backlash to world events," according to an F.B.I.
press release.
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
For Immediate Release
February 28, 2003
Washington, D.C.
FBI National Press Office
FBI Director Mueller Meets With Muslim, Sikh, and Arab-American
Organization Leaders to Reinforce Commitment to Protecting Civil
Rights
FBI Director Robert S. Mueller met today with key leaders of national
Arab-American, Muslim, and Sikh organizations. The meeting built on
earlier discussions on a number of issues - ranging from vigilante
attacks and other hate crimes to the value of continuing assistance
from the Arab-American, Muslim and Sikh communities.
"Protecting the civil rights of all Americans remains a top priority
for the FBI," said Mueller. I'm vitally concerned that the rights of
Muslim, Sikh and Arab Americans be protected. The FBI stands to take
strong and immediate action against hate crimes in the event of any
anti-American backlash to world events."
Dr. Ziad J. Asali, President of the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination
Committee said, "We appreciate the Director responding so quickly to
our request to meet to discuss the concerns of our community."
The FBI's aggressive response to hate crimes has sent a clear message
that vigilante attacks will not be tolerated. To date, the FBI has
initiated 414 hate crime investigations involving Muslim, Sikh, and
Arab-American victims, with 17 persons being charged federally thus
far. Additionally, some 129 persons have been charged with state and
local crimes in connection with those investigations.
Other leaders in attendance said they appreciate the heightened
sensitivity displayed by Director Mueller and the FBI during a time
when their communities might be particularly vulnerable. "We
appreciate the FBI's commitment to protecting our communities," said
Dr. Yahya Mossa-Basha, Chairman of the American Muslim Council.
Manjit Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force
said, "At this time of vulnerability in our community, we feel that it
is very important to maintain open communications with the FBI."
Another topic discussed was the importance of strengthening
relationships and improving cultural sensitivity. "We can't do it
without you," Director Mueller said.
Mueller discussed the FBI's outreach efforts with Arab and Muslim
groups, which have included contacts at all levels of the FBI,
including three meetings with the Director himself and numerous other
meetings with managers of the FBI's Civil Rights Unit. Additionally,
each FBI field office was tasked with establishing contacts with
Arab-American, Muslim, and Sikh community organizations and leaders in
their territories. National Arab-American and Muslim leaders have made
presentations at FBI training courses on Civil Rights and to new
Special Agents in "Enrichment Training Sessions" at the FBI Academy,
Quantico, Virginia. The Director was keynote speaker at the American
Muslim Council Conference on June 28, 2002.
Attending the meeting were representatives of the American-Arab
Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Arab American Institute, the Sikh
Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, the Islamic Institute, the
American Muslim Council, and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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