Rise of Islamophobia is an issue of concern for FBI, says Director Comey

Thursday 07 Apr 2016 - 18:39 Makkah mean time-29-6-1437

FBI Director James Comey. Image from washingtontimes

Detroit, (IINA) - FBI Director James Comey said that the rise of Islamophobia has been an issue of concern to the government agency, The Arab American News reported.
“It worries me,” Comey said. "What we tell folks is that if you think something is going on, then tell us. It’s a huge part of our responsibility that we take very seriously to make sure people aren’t picked on, bullied, harmed, scared or intimidated by virtue of the way they look, where they worship, or how they act.”
This marks Comey’s second visit as the FBI Director to Detroit. He visited the city in April 2014 as part of his efforts to frequent all 56 FBI regional offices.
His latest visit to the motor city was led by a busy itinerary that included meeting with community leaders on Tuesday morning.
Among those in attendance at that meeting was The Arab American News. Comey addressed numerous questions from various community leaders during the brief gathering.
He said that Congress is pressuring the FBI to clear the majority of refugees who are settling in the country. However, he believes a procedural system needs to be set in place. 
During a press conference at the FBI Detroit Field Office on Tuesday afternoon, leaders that included U.S. District Attorney Barbra McQuade, Detroit Police Chief James Craig, Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon and FBI Special Agent in Charge of Detroit Division David P. Gelios, were in attendance to signify a unified front between the FBI and local law enforcement. 
Comey said he was astonished at the level of communication that has formed between the community and local law enforcement officials. 
He added that the relationship is a model that needs to be implemented in other regions.
 “The FBI’s top objective is to combat counter-terrorism, specifically relating to ISIS attempting to recruit lone Americans,” Comey said.
He noted that the FBI is constantly depending on local and state authorities to help them identify and servile suspected individuals.
The FBI Blitz comes 24 hours after the Michigan Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) announced a lawsuit, challenging the FBI’s ‘terrorist watch list.’
CAIR-MI filed the suit on behalf of 18 American Muslims, including a four-year-old child, who were allegedly placed on the list without reason or notice.
Comey briefly addressed the lawsuit, stating that it wouldn’t make sense to inform suspected individuals who are being monitored.
Comey said the FBI depends on community member’s law enforcement officials, educators, and religious leaders, in helping them identify people who have been radicalized.
SM/IINA

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