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NYPD surveillance will only hurt anti-terrorism efforts, say Muslims NYPD surveillance will only hurt anti-terrorism efforts, say Muslims
(about 6 hours later)
When US army reservist Farhaj Hassan heard news of a shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, his first instinct was to email three mosques in his home town of Newark. "I wanted to check on them to ask if they have strong relationships with the local police." Hassan, 35, said, at a recent meeting with the Guardian there.When US army reservist Farhaj Hassan heard news of a shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, his first instinct was to email three mosques in his home town of Newark. "I wanted to check on them to ask if they have strong relationships with the local police." Hassan, 35, said, at a recent meeting with the Guardian there.
"Work with the cops. Work with the cops. That has always been my belief," Hassan said. "A two-way dialogue is necessary for everyone's security.""Work with the cops. Work with the cops. That has always been my belief," Hassan said. "A two-way dialogue is necessary for everyone's security."
That belief is one of the factors which has motivated Hassan, along with seven other individuals and organisations to file a lawsuit against the NYPD's covert program of surveillance in American Muslim communities. That belief is one of the factors that has motivated Hassan, along with seven other individuals and organisations, to file a lawsuit against the NYPD's covert program of surveillance in American Muslim communities.
It is now a year since a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative series by the Associated Press blew the cover off the secret program by NYPD's little-known demographics unit in New York and three surrounding states, that begun in early 2002. It is now a year since a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative series by the Associated Press blew the cover off the secret program by NYPD's little-known demographics unit in New York and three surrounding states, that began in early 2002.
The reports showed the deep and pervasive extent of the program, with the NYPD singling out and tracking American Muslim communities in New York City, Newark and other areas. Mosques, shops, restaurants and even student associations were all the target of surveillance activity on a scale that left many calling the program discriminatory and tantamount to racial profiling. Throughout the past year however, New York City authorities including the NYPD and mayor Michael Bloomberg have steadfastly defended the measures, deeming them necessary to keep New Yorkers safe from terrorist attacks – even though this week it was revealed that the program had netted no arrests, nor even a single lead, in six years. The reports showed the deep and pervasive extent of the program, with the NYPD singling out and tracking American Muslim communities in New York City, Newark and other areas. Mosques, shops, restaurants and even student associations were targeted by surveillance activity on a scale that left many calling the program discriminatory and tantamount to racial profiling. Throughout the past year however, New York City authorities including the NYPD and mayor Michael Bloomberg have steadfastly defended the measures, deeming them necessary to keep New Yorkers safe from terrorist attacks – even though this week it was revealed that the program had netted no arrests, nor even a single lead, in six years.
A year on, the public knows little about the full scope of the program and what areas it is carried out in. The NYPD's chief spokesman, deputy commissioner Paul Browne, would not respond to questions from the Guardian, sent to him more than a week ago. Several Muslim organisations have accused the NYPD of treating community concerns over the past year with "a wall of silence". New Jersey congressman Rush Holt, an outspoken critic of the program told the Guardian he found NYPD's conduct "completely unapologetic and shameless". A year on, the public knows little about the full scope of the program and in which areas it is carried out. The NYPD's chief spokesman, deputy commissioner Paul Browne, would not respond to questions from the Guardian, sent to him more than a week ago. Several Muslim organisations have accused the NYPD of treating community concerns over the past year with "a wall of silence". New Jersey congressman Rush Holt, an outspoken critic of the program, told the Guardian he found NYPD's conduct "completely unapologetic and shameless".
Omar Bajwa, the Muslim chaplain at Yale University, one of the campuses where the Muslim Students' Association was spied on by NYPD, says the organisation's nonchalance to questions from the community is "incredibly arrogant". The NYPD's methods and manner were alienating "future leaders", he said. "They need to apologize to the Muslim community, make an honest disclosure of facts, and seek advice on how they should reform their intelligence program." Omar Bajwa, the Muslim chaplain at Yale University, whose Muslim Students' Association was spied on by NYPD, says the department's nonchalance to questions from the community is "incredibly arrogant". The NYPD's methods and manner were alienating "future leaders", he said. "They need to apologize to the Muslim community, make an honest disclosure of facts, and seek advice on how they should reform their intelligence program."
'There is a serious effort to look into this''There is a serious effort to look into this'
While several elected politicians, including in Hassan's home state of New Jersey, have criticised the NYPD's program, few have successfully challenged it. Newark's Democratic mayor, Cory Booker, reiterated his opposition, telling the Guardian in a statement: "These activities deeply disturbed me. The only provocation for this surveillance was religious belief, which strikes against some of my fundamental ideals as an American. I still hold these positions." But Booker did not respond to questions about whether the program was continuing in his jurisdiction, and if he had raised his concerns directly with the NYPD.While several elected politicians, including in Hassan's home state of New Jersey, have criticised the NYPD's program, few have successfully challenged it. Newark's Democratic mayor, Cory Booker, reiterated his opposition, telling the Guardian in a statement: "These activities deeply disturbed me. The only provocation for this surveillance was religious belief, which strikes against some of my fundamental ideals as an American. I still hold these positions." But Booker did not respond to questions about whether the program was continuing in his jurisdiction, and if he had raised his concerns directly with the NYPD.
Last September, Holt, who served as chairman of the House permanent select committee on intelligence from 2007 to 2010, wrote to US attorney general Eric Holder, asking the department of justice to investigate NYPD's program. Holt said he has followed up on his letter with phone calls and emails through the past year. "But I have got no indication that there is a serious effort to look into this, which does not reflect well on the department of justice."Last September, Holt, who served as chairman of the House permanent select committee on intelligence from 2007 to 2010, wrote to US attorney general Eric Holder, asking the department of justice to investigate NYPD's program. Holt said he has followed up on his letter with phone calls and emails through the past year. "But I have got no indication that there is a serious effort to look into this, which does not reflect well on the department of justice."
It is this nonchalance from the NYPD as well as authorities with powers of oversight, say Hassan and his lawyer, Glenn Katon from the California-based body Muslim Advocates, which made filing a lawsuit unavoidable.It is this nonchalance from the NYPD as well as authorities with powers of oversight, say Hassan and his lawyer, Glenn Katon from the California-based body Muslim Advocates, which made filing a lawsuit unavoidable.
Hassan joined the US army a few days before 9/11. "I grew up watching Mash on TV and wanted to serve. … I was looking for that sense of camaraderie." He was deployed to Iraq from 2003 to 2004, where he served in military intelligence. He was at home in Newark last August when the AP broke the story about the NYPD's surveillance of Muslim communities. Hassan joined the US army a few days before 9/11. "I grew up watching Mash on TV and wanted to serve … I was looking for that sense of camaraderie." He was deployed to Iraq from 2003 to 2004, where he served in military intelligence. He was at home in Newark last August when the AP broke the story.
His first reaction was amazement and shock at how deep the program went. When he subsequently learned that police had watched the mosques and establishments in Newark he frequented with his mother, he was struck by how misplaced the NYPD program seemed. "If they really knew who the congregants were they would know these people have other things to worry about – earning their living, getting by, giving their kids a decent education. … Committing heinous acts against the US is the last thing on their mind," Hassan said. His first reaction was shock at how deep the program went. When he subsequently learned that police had watched the mosques and establishments in Newark he frequented with his mother, he was struck by how misplaced the NYPD program seemed. "If they really knew who the congregants were they would know these people have other things to worry about – earning their living, getting by, giving their kids a decent education … Committing heinous acts against the US is the last thing on their mind," Hassan said.
Hassan, currently a graduate student and a reservist who spends a weekend every month drilling with his unit at a military base in Bristol, says what makes him most uncomfortable is that "law-abiding Muslims who are going about their daily life, doing deeply private and constitutionally guaranteed activities such as praying should be suspected merely because they are Muslims".Hassan, currently a graduate student and a reservist who spends a weekend every month drilling with his unit at a military base in Bristol, says what makes him most uncomfortable is that "law-abiding Muslims who are going about their daily life, doing deeply private and constitutionally guaranteed activities such as praying should be suspected merely because they are Muslims".
Are the AP's findings 'just the tip of the iceberg'?Are the AP's findings 'just the tip of the iceberg'?
Katon says his plaintiffs, who include the council of imams in New Jersey, have noted a fall in number of devotees coming to pray after knowing their mosques places of worship featured on NYPD lists. Small businesses featured in NYPD documents have also noticed a decline in customers, Katon said. "Perfumes and lotions are not specific to the Muslim community, and our plaintiffs have had customers calling up and saying: 'I saw a report in the newspaper and I am not comfortable coming to your shop any more.'" Katon says his plaintiffs, who include the council of imams in New Jersey, have noted a fall in number of devotees coming to pray after learning that their places of worship featured on NYPD lists. Small businesses featured in NYPD documents have also noticed a decline in customers, Katon said. "Perfumes and lotions are not specific to the Muslim community, and our plaintiffs have had customers calling up and saying: 'I saw a report in the newspaper and I am not comfortable coming to your shop any more.'"
While the lawsuit challenges the program's operation in New Jersey, any court ruling would have wider geographical effects. Two New York-based organisations – the American Civil Liberties Union and the Council for American-Islamic Relations – also told the Guardian they were considering legal remedies, among other measures, in an attempt to force the NYPD to end its surveillance program.While the lawsuit challenges the program's operation in New Jersey, any court ruling would have wider geographical effects. Two New York-based organisations – the American Civil Liberties Union and the Council for American-Islamic Relations – also told the Guardian they were considering legal remedies, among other measures, in an attempt to force the NYPD to end its surveillance program.
Hassan says: "We do not know if the public criticism has altered, increased or decreased NYPD's spying on Muslims. I fear that what the AP reports revealed might just be the tip of the iceberg."

The emotional impact of knowing one is under surveillance while going about one's day-to-day life is harder to see or measure. Every American Muslim the Guardian interviewed for this report used strong words – 'a sense of chill', 'dread', 'public trauma', 'deep worry', 'severe mistrust' – to describe how they still felt about NYPD's program.		Hassan says: "We do not know if the public criticism has altered, increased or decreased NYPD's spying on Muslims. I fear that what the AP reports revealed might just be the tip of the iceberg."

The emotional impact of knowing one is under surveillance while going about one's day-to-day life is harder to see or measure. Every American Muslim the Guardian interviewed for this report used strong words – 'a sense of chill', 'dread', 'public trauma', 'deep worry', 'severe mistrust' – to describe how they still felt about NYPD's program.
Congressman Holt said: "The sense of siege American Muslims experienced in the aftermath of 9/11 had just started to lift about two years ago, when the news of NYPD's secret program reinstated it all over again."Congressman Holt said: "The sense of siege American Muslims experienced in the aftermath of 9/11 had just started to lift about two years ago, when the news of NYPD's secret program reinstated it all over again."
When asked how knowing they were being spied on by the NYPD impacted his wards, Yale's Muslim chaplain Bajwa said: "I know of students who have felt embarrassed or a lowering of self-esteem. Some stopped participating in group activities and felt conscious about being publicly Muslim." He added: "I do not want to exaggerate the effect, but female Muslim students in particular have grown more reticent, including not speaking up in class, to not draw any attention to themselves." When asked how knowing they were being spied on by the NYPD affected his wards, Yale's Muslim chaplain Bajwa said: "I know of students who have felt embarrassed or a lowering of self-esteem. Some stopped participating in group activities and felt conscious about being publicly Muslim." He added: "I do not want to exaggerate the effect, but female Muslim students in particular have grown more reticent, including not speaking up in class, to not draw any attention to themselves."
NYPD hears from a Muslim advisory councilNYPD hears from a Muslim advisory council
Daisy Khan, executive director of the non-profit American Society for Muslim Advancement, said that her desire to stem such responses of under-confidence and low self-esteem in fellow Muslims has pushed her to join NYPD's recently constituted Muslim advisory council. "The obligation is on us American Muslims to ensure these policies become policies of the past. We can do that only if we are confident to speak out," Khan said in a recent interview at ASMA's office on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Daisy Khan, executive director of the non-profit American Society for Muslim Advancement (Asma), said that her desire to stem such responses of under-confidence and low self-esteem in fellow Muslims has pushed her to join NYPD's recently constituted Muslim advisory council. "The obligation is on us American Muslims to ensure these policies become policies of the past. We can do that only if we are confident to speak out," Khan said in a recent interview at Asma's office on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
The eight-member council, which met for the first time this July, was set up for Bloomberg and Kelly to hear from representatives of Muslim communities. Khan says its establishment is an acknowledgement by the authorities that they have made mistakes. It is also an opening that the community must seize, she argued. "It is important that in the eyes of the public we are not seen as a community in opposition with law enforcement authorities, and so we must engage."The eight-member council, which met for the first time this July, was set up for Bloomberg and Kelly to hear from representatives of Muslim communities. Khan says its establishment is an acknowledgement by the authorities that they have made mistakes. It is also an opening that the community must seize, she argued. "It is important that in the eyes of the public we are not seen as a community in opposition with law enforcement authorities, and so we must engage."
Imam Khalil Abdur-Rashid, the imam at Brooklyn's Iqra mosque and another member of the council, said he was willing to be a part of this dialogue with the NYPD as long as "it does not seem like a token gesture from the authorities". Deeply critical of the surveillance program – he dubbed it "not public safety but public trauma in the lives of law-abiding citizens" – Rashid said that efforts like the lawsuit were also needed since multiple ways of approaching the issue would make the effort to end such discriminatory policies more effective. Imam Khalil Abdur-Rashid, the imam at Brooklyn's Iqra mosque and another member of the council, said he was willing to be a part of this dialogue with the NYPD as long as "it does not seem like a token gesture from the authorities". Deeply critical of the surveillance program – he dubbed it "not public safety, but public trauma in the lives of law-abiding citizens" – Rashid said that efforts like the lawsuit were also needed since multiple ways of approaching the issue would make the effort to end such discriminatory policies more effective.
According to Khan, the council will get involved in a range of efforts, from organising town hall meetings between city authorities and New York's Muslim communities to vetting material for police trainings, and countering the theological arguments of religious extremists.According to Khan, the council will get involved in a range of efforts, from organising town hall meetings between city authorities and New York's Muslim communities to vetting material for police trainings, and countering the theological arguments of religious extremists.
But for now, there is little public acknowledgement from the NYPD or city authorities that its surveillance program, as it exists in its current form, needs to be altered or ended.But for now, there is little public acknowledgement from the NYPD or city authorities that its surveillance program, as it exists in its current form, needs to be altered or ended.
Holt's great worry is that the program, by singling out one religious minority, might be actually making Americans less, not more safe. The congressman argued: "In this era of decentralised terror, if you alienate an entire community, you are unlikely to get their co-operation in intelligence gathering." Holt's great worry is that the program, by singling out one religious minority, might be actually making Americans less, not more, safe. He: "In this era of decentralised terror, if you alienate an entire community, you are unlikely to get their co-operation in intelligence gathering."
"As I see it", Holt said, "profiling is a substitute for thinking.""As I see it", Holt said, "profiling is a substitute for thinking."
Hassan said he had just one question for those who supported NYPD's surveillance program: "If we say okay to this now, then what will we see next?"Hassan said he had just one question for those who supported NYPD's surveillance program: "If we say okay to this now, then what will we see next?"