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Arab Americans, Feds Build Bridges
As U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder prepares to speak tonight in Detroit to minority groups and law enforcement officials, his department faces criticism from some who say he shouldn’t be meeting with Muslim groups.
He also is expected to face protesters upset over the shooting death of Muslim leader Luqman Ameen Abdullah last month in Dearborn during a shootout with FBI agents.
But despite the naysayers, federal law enforcement and metro Detroit Arab Americans say they’re committed to sustaining a dialogue that has grown in scope and intensity over the past year.
Two high-profile incidents in recent weeks — the Ft. Hood, Texas, shootings and the death of Abdullah — have highlighted the importance of coming to the table to discuss everything from racial profiling to raids of Muslim institutions, say advocates and federal officials.
“It’s important through thick and thin to have open lines of communication,” said Troy attorney Shereef Akeel, who is part of a group of Arab Americans that meets with federal officials every two months, “so the best decisions will be made in the future.”
Terrence Berg, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, agreed, saying, “I think it’s crucial for law enforcement to listen to the community, to be open to hearing complaints.”
Arab Americans, feds build bridges
About 24 hours after hearing of the shootings at Ft. Hood, Texas, federal officials were on the phone with Imad Hamad, the Dearborn-based director with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Their goal: to check for any backlash against local Arab Americans, Muslims and other minorities.
The swift actions were part of a little-known program called the Incident Community Coordination Team, created to ensure open dialogue between law enforcement and minority communities during high-profile incidents.
It is one of many ways that Arab Americans and Muslims in metro Detroit have increasingly worked with federal officials in recent years.
The dialogue has widened in scope as the FBI and other agencies increasingly focus on fighting terrorism.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Arab Americans and Muslims have met regularly with the FBI, U.S. Attorney General’s Office, and other federal agencies, but have sometimes had a complicated relationship. Earlier this year, several Muslim groups threatened to stop meeting with federal officials because of the government’s use of informants inside mosques.
Still, both sides say it’s important to continue talking.
“It’s not just about holding hands and singing songs,” said Terrence Berg, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. “It’s sometimes listening to things that can be difficult to listen to.”
Among the complaints federal officials hear are accusations that the government unfairly targets Arab Americans and Muslims because of their ethnicity.
Peaceful exchange of concerns
Because of its sizable Arab-American community, metro Detroit has become a focal point for how dialogue can benefit both sides, federal officials say. After the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. Attorney General’s Office, along with Hamad and other Arab Americans, created a group that is called BRIDGES — Building Respect in Diverse Groups to Enhance Sensitivity.
It was sparked by concerns from Arab Americans about a program where FBI agents set out to interview Arab male nationals in a certain age range for possible ties to terrorism. The sweeping interviews prompted complaints that resulted in the partnership to deal with future problems.
“Sustaining eight years of cooperation is a statement in and of itself,” said Hamad, cochairman of BRIDGES. “It’s not an easy process.”
Over the years, the regular meetings have served to cool tensions when issues arise. In 2002, for example, some were upset after a U.S. Secret Service agent scrawled “Islam is evil” inside the home of a Dearborn man during a federal raid. After complaints, the agent was suspended for 6 months without pay.
Concept ‘no longer effective’
BRIDGES is not without criticism. Osama Siblani, publisher of the Dearborn-based Arab American News, is a member and supports the dialogue, but said that lately “the BRIDGES concept is no longer effective. It’s not making any difference right now.”
Siblani said Arab and other immigrants are increasingly facing problems with raids and harassment on minor immigration violations. Other concerns include selective targeting of Muslims, and some agents who immigrants said harass them at airports or when they cross the Canadian border.
And in the past year, the use of informants has become an explosive issue. In December, the U.S. Justice Department created new guidelines, giving the FBI more power to use undercover sources. In March, the American Muslim Task Force, a coalition of six Muslim groups, said it was considering suspending relations with the FBI, amid reports of informants in mosques in New York and California. They accused the FBI of treading in a sacred space by using provocative informants; the FBI said it never targets anyone because of their religion.
Investigation, death of Abdullah
That issue came to a head last month after a criminal complaint said the FBI was using undercover agents in a 2-year investigation of Luqman Ameen Abdullah, a Muslim leader from Detroit suspected of dealing with stolen goods.
Eleven of his followers were arrested during raids in Detroit and Dearborn on Oct. 28, when Abdullah was killed after a shootout with FBI agents.
The FBI’s Detroit office’s Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena said that agents acted appropriately in the case. Tonight, protesters are expected to demonstrate outside the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center over the death of Abdullah.
But Arena and metro Detroit Arab Americans said they will continue to meet.
“We deal with it in the room, as opposed to in the streets,” said Canton attorney Nabih Ayad, who represents the family of Abdullah. Ayad also is a member of BRIDGES and cochairman of the group that is hosting tonight’s speech by Holder.
Called ALPACT, Advocates and Leaders for Police and Community Trust, the group was started 13 years ago and now includes about 50 minority organizations and 50 law enforcement officials.
“The key is the high level of respect between the groups,” said Arena, cochair of ALPACT.
“Sometimes, the meetings become very contentious,” Arena said. “They become loud, but when we walk out of the room, everyone respects each other. That’s something to be proud of.”
Niraj Warikoo
The Detroit Free Press