May 12, 2011

MPAC Western New York along with interfaith allies and elected officials held a press conference last week in Buffalo, NY, at the Islamic Cultural Center to reaffirming solidarity in the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death.

“We all greeted the news of Osama bin Laden’s death with a sense of relief. I think that’s probably an understatement,” said Dr. Khalid Qazi, president of the MPAC-WNY during the press conference. “As important as it was to get him ... we have major problems still with terrorism across the globe and, therefore, we cannot lower our guard.”

Dr. Qazi added that while all peace-loving citizens welcome bin Laden’s death, we need to maintain focus on the nation’s security.

MPAC-WNY and leaders of other local Muslim groups pledged to continue the work they started with the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and other federal law enforcement agencies.

"Our office has been meeting on a regular basis and speaking with members of [the Muslim Public Affairs Council] and the Muslim-American community for quite a few years now,” said U. S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr., the region’s chief federal law enforcement officer, who also attended the press conference. He said that, at a minimum, homeland security requires the combined efforts of law enforcement and the public.

MPAC-WNY works as an interface between federal agencies and law enforcement, which focus on homeland security issues and the Muslim American community.

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Marium F. Mohiuddin (marium@mpac.org)
Communications Coordinator