December 23, 2010

On Monday Dec. 13, MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati participated in a roundtable discussion on "Policing Domestic Muslim Radicalism" on 89.9 KCRW, Southern California's NPR affiliate. The discussion focused on the concerns of possible rise of ideological extremism among Muslim Americans. 

Participants focused on a number issues surrounding the topic such as the entrapment argument used by a defendant’s legal defense, balancing national security and civil liberties, the level of government involvement in countering radical ideology and whether FBI agents are focusing their surveillance of individual suspects or entire communities. 

During the discussion, Al-Marayati noted that there was a resource deficit and failure of Muslim institutions’ outreach to local communities. 

"We as Muslim American organizations must take responsibility for not being available to that father [of Portland, Oregon, suspect Mohamed Osman Mohamud], to parents who are concerned about their children," Al-Marayati said. He also argued against government involved in combating extremist ideology, arguing it was the Muslim community’s responsibility. 

Other participants included Hedieh Mirahmadi, President of World Organization for Resource Development and Education; Phil Mudd, former deputy director of the FBI’s National Security Branch; and Farhana Khera, Executive Director of Muslim Advocates.

-- Alejandro J. Beutel (alejandro@mpac.org)
Government and Policy Analyst