Peeking under the prayer mats [Australia]

The Australian ^ | November 12, 2005 | Elisabeth Wynhausen

[ncountylee]

IT was in the middle of Ramadan that an ASIO agent rang Waqas Zahick. "I got a phone call on the mobile. The lady introduced herself. She said, 'Hello, I'm Jessica from ASIO',"' says Zahick, 28, an Australian resident who was born and raised in Pakistan.

"Jessica" confirmed that he was indeed Waqas Zahick and that he lived in the southwestern Sydney suburb of Bankstown. "She said she would like to have a meeting with me. I asked her why," Zahick tells Inquirer. "She said it was a routine check. Just a few questions, nothing to worry about." He decided he did not need to co-operate.

Last Tuesday at 2.30am, police and security officials raided homes in Melbourne and Sydney, charging 16 men with terrorism offences. At least 18 have now been charged or arrested in both states. NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney told the media the operation followed many months of surveillance.

But Australian Muslims say there has been indiscriminate surveillance of the community, as if Muslims in general are under suspicion.

"My information is that Muslim men between 18 and 25 especially are being invited in for a conversation with ASIO ... regardless of any affiliations they might have," says Melbourne barrister Julian Burnside. "The effect of this is to send a chill through the Muslim community."

This was happening long before the special anti-terrorism amendment was rushed through parliament last week, says Adam Houda, the solicitor for eight alleged plotters in Sydney who have been charged this week.

But security officials are casting their net far wider, says Houda, suggesting that agents of ASIO, the internal counter-espionage agency, are systematically contacting members of the Muslim community. "There's times I get calls about it every day," the young Sydney solicitor tells Inquirer.

[RobinOfKingston]

But Australian Muslims say there has been indiscriminate surveillance of the community, as if Muslims in general are under suspicion.

From where I sit, it is hard to see a down-side in this.

[Eagles6]

But Australian Muslims say there has been indiscriminate surveillance of the community, as if Muslims in general are under suspicion.

'Bout time. When's it start here?

[ncountylee]

"The effect of this is to send a chill through the Muslim community."

That's the idea and the way that cowards should be treated. No more waiting for you scum to slither out of your rat holes to commit mass murder.

[kublia khan]

"But Australian Muslims say there has been indiscriminate surveillance of the community, as if Muslims in general are under suspicion."

Maybe I'll move to the land down under, it sounds like they get it and in the US of A we're still looking for the religion of peace.

[magslinger]

Oz has a lot going for it, but don't forget to leave your guns here when you go.

[montag813]

But Australian Muslims say there has been indiscriminate surveillance of the community, as if Muslims in general are under suspicion.

YA THINK?!?

[commonasdirt]

".......as if Muslims in general are under suspicion."

Works for me

[AmericanChef]

-But Australian Muslims say there has been indiscriminate surveillance of the community, as if Muslims in general are under suspicion.-

It's not indiscriminate if you're targeting muSlums specifically!