Press Release

FBI Director Mueller Meets with Muslim, Sikh, and Arab-American Organization Leaders to Reinforce Commitment to Protecting Civil Rights

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller met today with key leaders of national Arab-American, Muslim, and Sikh organizations. The meeting built on earlier discussions on a number of issues -- ranging from vigilante attacks and other hate crimes to the value of continuing assistance from the Arab-American, Muslim, and Sikh communities.

"Protecting the civil rights of all Americans remains a top priority for the FBI," said Mueller. "I'm vitally concerned that the rights of Muslim, Sikh and Arab Americans be protected. The FBI stands prepared to take strong and immediate action against hate crimes in the event of any anti-Arab American backlash to world events."

Dr. Ziad J. Asali, President of the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee said, "We appreciate the Director responding so quickly to our request to meet to discuss the concerns of our community."

The FBI's aggressive response to hate crimes has sent a clear message that vigilante attacks will not be tolerated. To date, the FBI has initiated 414 hate crime investigations involving Muslim, Sikh, and Arab-American victims, with 17 persons being charged federally thus far. Additionally, some 129 persons have been charged with state and local crimes in connection with those investigations.

Other leaders in attendance said they appreciate the heightened sensitivity displayed by Director Mueller and the FBI during a time when their communities might be particularly vulnerable. "We appreciate the FBI's commitment to protecting our communities," said Dr. Yahya Mossa-Basha, Chairman of the American Muslim Council.

Manjit Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force said, "At this time of vulnerability in our community, we feel that it is very important to maintain open communications with the FBI."

Another topic discussed was the importance of strengthening relationships and improving cultural sensitivity. "We can't do it without you, " Director Mueller said.

Mueller discussed the FBI's outreach efforts with Arab and Muslim groups, which have included contacts at all levels of the FBI, including three meetings with the Director himself and numerous other meetings with managers of the FBI's Civil Rights Unit. Additionally, each FBI field office was tasked with establishing contacts with Arab-American, Muslim, and Sikh community organizations and leaders in their territories. National Arab-American and Muslim leaders have made presentations at FBI training courses on Civil Rights and to new Special Agents in "Enrichment Training Sessions" at the FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia. The Director was keynote speaker at the American Muslim Council Conference on June 28, 2002.

Attending the meeting were representatives of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Arab American Institute, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, the Islamic Institute, the American Muslim Council, and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

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