Florida Muslims Question FBI Interviews
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-brf-fbi-interviews,0,6068958.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Arab-Americans and Muslims in Florida question the FBI's latest plan for conducting interviews nationwide to uncover possible terrorist plots that could disrupt the presidential election next month.
For the past week, FBI officials have met with Islamic community leaders statewide to explain a July directive from FBI Director Robert Mueller to seek new information about suspicious activity ahead of the Nov. 2 general election.
The leaders said they understand the need for vigilance but have reservations about the order.
"Our community is already afraid and jittery, because there has already been several rounds of detainees and interviews since 9-11," said Ahmed Bedier, Florida spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
"Arab-Americans will do everything in their capacity to ensure the security of this country," said Taleb Salhab, president of the Arab-American Community Center of Central Florida. "However, we will not tolerate the violation of our community's constitutional rights."