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ISNA Calls for Investigation into Discriminatory FBI Training Practices

(Washington DC, Sept 17, 2011) The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is deeply concerned about the highly discriminatory remarks and training tactics utilized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in counter-terrorism trainings of some of its highest ranking FBI agents.

A recently published national security report by Spencer Ackerman of Wired, "FBI Teaches Agents: 'Mainstream' Muslims are 'Violent, Radical,'" highlights many of the bigoted training materials utilized by the FBI. According to actual training materials cited in this report, many of the statements made during these trainings are based upon false information about Islam and Muslims.

One such example includes a chart contending that the more "devout" a Muslim, the more likely he/she is to be "violent." This, among many other examples, presents an image to FBI agents that the mere practice of faith for Muslims is evidence that they are terrorists. This is an outrageous and completely incorrect assertion, as has been proven by numerous studies, including a 2010 study produced by researchers at Duke and the University of North Carolina.

Yesterday morning in a conference call, ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid expressed his concerns to FBI officials, who acknowledged that these materials were used in past trainings and said they would look into establishing better standards and procedures for future trainings.

Imam Magid immediately followed up this conversation by sending a letter yesterday to FBI Director Robert Mueller and US Department of Justice Attorney General Eric Holder, requesting a meeting to further discuss the establishment of appropriate criteria for FBI training on Islam and Muslims.

"This training is disturbingly inaccurate and violates the constitutional rights of the American Muslim community by placing them under deep suspicion simply due to their religious beliefs. In addition to impacting the FBI's outreach efforts, the training misinforms agents about American Muslims, thus placing whole communities of innocent citizens at risk," said ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid.

He added, "ISNA and the Muslim community have initiated and fostered positive relationships with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to promote tolerance and work against extremist ideology in all forms for over 20 years. We look forward to having this issue addressed in a timely manner and to hearing assurances from the FBI that such a training will not continue."

ISNA appreciates that the FBI acknowledges this is not their normal practice, but rather an isolated incident. ISNA is pleased to know that the FBI has taken steps toward using alternative training materials. Nevertheless, we would like to reiterate that the Muslim community is troubled by the training materials reported in the media last week, and believe that they are counterproductive to maintaining a trusting relationship with law enforcement officials.

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