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Athens NEWS – Sept. 2, 2004
Ohio Muslims, Arabs growing anxious in post-9/11 U.S.
By John Lasker
Ziad Akir, who heads the Athens Islamic Center at 13 Stewart St., doesn't have "solid evidence" the center is being watched. But no one at the center knows who owns the black SUV that frequently has been seen parked in their lot.
"(One member) claims that there is strange equipment on the car with flashing indicators. I don't know for sure, but it may be a possibility," said Akir speculating on whether someone may be spying on the center.
Some may scoff at Akir's claim as a bout of paranoia during trying times for Arab Americans and those whose faith is Islam. Think again, advises another prominent Ohio Muslim, who contends he has heard of similar complaints from nearly every mosque in the state.
"We hear of mosques being spied on, being watched, quite frequently," said Jad Humeidan, director of CAIR Ohio. CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) is considered one of Muslim America's most influential non-profits.
He said that the identity of whoever is conducting the surveillance remains a mystery. And if the mystery is nothing more than a perceived -- as opposed to real -- threat, it appears justified for Arab Americans during the post-9/11 era of fear.
Being watched or followed, however, is just one concern spreading through Arab- and Muslim-American communities. Many residents fear that a new McCarthyism is targeting Muslims, and not just Arabs, but others, such as Somalis and Pakistanis. A pattern of abuse is also being reported by Christian and Hindu Arabs, according to CAIR.
Amal Wahdan, publisher and editor of The Arab Gazette, puts it succinctly about what it's like being an Arab and residing in Ohio. "It's a terrifying time," she confirmed from her office in Cleveland. The Arab Gazette recently published its first issue, which is being distributed throughout Ohio.
"They're (Arabs are) afraid to speak their minds even to me," said Wahdan. "They're afraid of a number of agencies (FBI, local police) in this area. They don't want to be profiled or harassed. Everyone is afraid to speak their minds. For some, it's as if they've returned to their homeland."
Fear of such agencies, said several sources who were interviewed for this story, is a legitimate reaction these days. Representatives from the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton contend that several of its members have been visited by the FBI, at their place of employment no less.
"They come and flash a badge," said Tarif Hourani, a Dayton-area computer programmer and board member of the Islamic Society. "Then they ask some quick questions. They'll show a picture and ask, 'Do you know this person?' Or 'what is your relationship with the Islamic Center (of Dayton)?' 'Do you know of this charitable organization?' Mostly along those lines."
The FBI office in Cincinnati, now responsible for Ohio's terrorism-related investigations, refused to comment on the matter, while a spokesperson said it would be "impossible" to confirm or deny whether such visits occurred.
However, Hourani showed this reporter cards left behind by FBI agents.
Also supporting the Dayton-area claim is CAIR's national office. During 2003, CAIR fielded more than 100 complaints from Muslims who had received an unannounced visit from federal law-enforcement personnel. Many of the Muslims said that when they asked why, the agents responded by saying they wanted to "check you out."
Ohio's Arab population is believed to be 200,000-plus, making the state home to one of the largest Arab communities in North America. Many are Muslim, but an estimated 50,000-plus Ohio Arabs are Christian….
http://www.athensnews.com/issue/article.php3?story_id=17968
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