Raids on Muslim Offices and Homes in Virginia; Muslim and Jewish Communities Respond

March 22, 2002

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/2912411.htm

On March 22, 2002, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, "Muslims protest raids on groups, homes in Va." It noted that "Officials of Islamic groups voiced outrage yesterday at a series of raids, mainly in the capital's Virginia suburbs, by federal agents seeking evidence that the groups were contributing to terrorists. About 150 officers from several agencies executed search warrants Wednesday at 15 offices and homes of groups and individuals active in Islamic causes, federal officials said yesterday. They seized computers, files and books but made no arrests. ... Representatives of at least seven Islamic institutions denounced the raids at a news conference yesterday. 'It seems like the government is declaring open season on Muslim American groups,' said Abdulwahab Alkebsi, executive director of the Islamic Institute, based in Washington. The institute was not raided, but Alkebsi helped organize the protests by the groups that were. Among those raided were the International Institute of Islamic Thought, the Muslim World League, and the Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences. Homes of some employees of these groups were searched."