By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Muslim leaders nationwide are expressing frustration with what they describe as overzealous attempts to get some in the Islamic community to spy on fellow Muslims, the Los Angeles Times reports.
They describe increasing pressure and reported unannounced visits by FBI agents to mosques in California, Ohio, Texas, Minnesota and other states.
The Council on American-Islamic Relation (CAIR) issued a nationwide alert urging Muslims and community leaders to consult with an attorney if they are approached by the FBI.
“It’s happening all over the country,” said Ibrahim Hooper, a Washington-based spokesman for CAIR. “The agents are approaching these community leaders at mosques with basic questions that quickly turn into something different: pressure to become informants.”
The FBI declined to comment on the alert but said “we value our partnership with the Arab, Muslim and Sikh communities as they are partners in our effort to stem crime, violence and civil rights violations.”
