Islamic Groups Welcome Abandoning of Covert Spying by NYPD

(NEW YORK, NY, 4/18/14) – Muslim organizations across the America are welcoming the decision of the New York Police Department to disband a secretive unit that engaged in mass surveillance of Muslim communities.

The broad intelligence-gathering unit built detailed files of where Muslims ate, prayed and spent their time, completely mapping the communities’ lives. Islamic places of worship and institutions and Muslim groups and business were closely monitored.

Names, phone numbers, email addresses, license plates – nothing was left out of the blanket surveillance program. The NYPD has acknowledged that despite years of investigation, it never produced a single criminal lead.

“This Unit alienated the New York Muslim communities in New York and created an environment of fear and mistrust” said Omar Ranginwala, president of the Islamic Circle of North America in New York. “We look positively at this step to shut down the unit. However, further action must be taken to ensure that biased policing is not conducted on any community on the basis of their faith.”

The Islamic Circle of North America is a leading American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through the application of Islamic values. Since 1968, ICNA has worked to build relations between communities by devoting itself to education, outreach, social services and relief efforts.

In a press statement the group stated, "ICNA commends all community groups and activists for their untiring efforts in bringing this issue to everyone’s attention and highlighting its violation of constitutional rights of American citizens."

Currently there are two federal lawsuits in place poised to challenge the department’s tactics and prevent future unconstitutional surveillance.