FBI Reaches Out to Arab American Institute on Miami Arrests

Commends Official’s Disclaimer: ‘This is Not an Indictment Against Any Religion’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – According to the FBI, seven individuals were arrested Thursday by the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Miami as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged plot to attack the Sears Tower in Chicago and other federal buildings.

The FBI made proactive efforts to reach out to Arab, Muslim and South Asian American communities including a conference call with the Arab American Institute (AAI) and other leading community organizations. AAI appreciates FBI’s initiative in contacting community leaders as well as efforts to remind the public that these individuals are not representative of a religion, race or ethnicity. At a press conference announcing the indictments, US Attorney Alex Acosta pointed out “today’s action is taken against individuals and not against a particular group or faith.”

“Too often when such arrests have been made government officials and the media have used broad-brush language that negatively portrays entire communities,” said AAI President James Zogby . “The comments by U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta and others represent a positive step in law enforcement official’s growing understanding, knowledge and engagement of Arab Americans in our nation’s fight against potential terrorists.”

Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent.  AAI provides policy, research and public affairs.