VTMBH Article: Body
Muslim American leaders, including representatives from community organizations, fire services, and law enforcement called a press conference 12 noon, Thursday, May 23, 2002 at City Hall to voice concerns regarding Memorial Day weekend terrorist threats aimed at New York City landmarks.
Reacting to warnings issued by the FBI and the NYPD, and fearing a backlash from the public towards Muslims, the group stated that they want to ease public fears concerning the Muslim community and asked that the public not equate American Muslims with terrorists.
On the steps of City Hall, the group emphasized that they are frustrated, frightened, and angry by the recent threats and that American Muslims are part of the fabric of New York. CAIR-NYs Executive Director Ghazi Khankan said, We are having this press conference to alleviate and calm down fears because we are all in the same boat. Additionally, he stressed, Any threat against America, and America is our homeland, will be a threat against all of us. It is our duty to make sure that those who will commit such threats are apprehended.
Similarly, Supervising Fire Marshall Kevin James shared his frustration regarding the situation. He stated, I, like the overwhelming majority of Muslim Americans, do not know who these extremists are, do not share their warped ideas, and unfortunately, there is nothing I can do about them. He added, Please do not lump our community in with these fanatics and extremists whose only religion is intolerance and hatred.
Similarly, United African Congress President Sidique Wai said, When you profile one community because of something that happened, you are also indirectly giving credence to profiling other communities.
Police Officers Adil Almontaser and Abdo Almasmary of the American Muslim Law Enforcement Officers Association, asked that residents of the City of New York come forward if they know of any terrorist activity. Corrections Officer Stacy Salimah Bell, of the newly formed American Muslim Law Enforcement Officers Association, stressed If you are a Muslim, if you claim that Allah is your God, if you are an American, its your duty to report acts of terrorism. Almontaser said, We are their avenue to assist them in anyway they need. To report these to the appropriate authorities the phone number is 1-800-577-TIPS.
Reacting to warnings issued by the FBI and the NYPD, and fearing a backlash from the public towards Muslims, the group stated that they want to ease public fears concerning the Muslim community and asked that the public not equate American Muslims with terrorists.
On the steps of City Hall, the group emphasized that they are frustrated, frightened, and angry by the recent threats and that American Muslims are part of the fabric of New York. CAIR-NYs Executive Director Ghazi Khankan said, We are having this press conference to alleviate and calm down fears because we are all in the same boat. Additionally, he stressed, Any threat against America, and America is our homeland, will be a threat against all of us. It is our duty to make sure that those who will commit such threats are apprehended.
Similarly, Supervising Fire Marshall Kevin James shared his frustration regarding the situation. He stated, I, like the overwhelming majority of Muslim Americans, do not know who these extremists are, do not share their warped ideas, and unfortunately, there is nothing I can do about them. He added, Please do not lump our community in with these fanatics and extremists whose only religion is intolerance and hatred.
Similarly, United African Congress President Sidique Wai said, When you profile one community because of something that happened, you are also indirectly giving credence to profiling other communities.
Police Officers Adil Almontaser and Abdo Almasmary of the American Muslim Law Enforcement Officers Association, asked that residents of the City of New York come forward if they know of any terrorist activity. Corrections Officer Stacy Salimah Bell, of the newly formed American Muslim Law Enforcement Officers Association, stressed If you are a Muslim, if you claim that Allah is your God, if you are an American, its your duty to report acts of terrorism. Almontaser said, We are their avenue to assist them in anyway they need. To report these to the appropriate authorities the phone number is 1-800-577-TIPS.