CAIR ASKS STATES TO CHECK DATABASES FOR MUSLIM PROFILING
NJ counter-terror agents reportedly target suspects for practicing Islam

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/26/2005) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today urged state law enforcement agencies nationwide to check suspect databases to make sure they are not being used to profile Muslims.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) made that request following reports that agents of the New Jersey Office of Counter-Terrorism have been barred from filing reports to the State Police database after the discovery of more than 100 entries that seemed to target suspects only because they practiced Islam or were active in the Muslim community.

SEE: “State Police Cite Muslim Profiling”
http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-2/1127710390243320.xml

“Disturbing reports of this kind will only serve to confirm the worst fears of American Muslims about being singled out based solely on their faith,” said CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar. “Profiling is never an effective law enforcement technique and does a disservice to our nation’s long tradition of equality before the law.”

Iftikhar called for a thorough investigation of the New Jersey database and for similar probes nationwide.

CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

To read CAIR’s Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to: http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About