veiled4allah: local activism

Dozens of agents and analysts gathered at FBI headquarters in Seattle yesterday to question a local Muslim man -- not to build a case but to build a bridge between the law enforcement agency and an often-misunderstood group of Americans. Jafar "Jeff" Siddiqi, of American Muslims of Puget Sound, was at the bureau to dispel common myths about Islam and its adherents.

Asked by one agent about the cultural and religious taboos investigators should keep in mind when approaching a Muslim, Siddiqi cautioned the agents not to lump all Muslims together.

"There is no single profile or Muslim personality," he said. "Islam is very diverse. The practice of Islam in Malaysia is completely different from the practice of Islam in Saudi Arabia."

And with that warning, Siddiqi gave the agents a quick class in cultural sensitivity with a list of things to avoid when talking with Muslims.

"Do not disrespect the holy book (Quran). Do not be too friendly to the women. Do not go into holy places (mosques) wearing shoes."

And Siddiqi told the agents not to read too much into it if a Muslim does not make eye contact.

"Most Muslims (in the United States ) are first generation, and they come from despotic regimes and tyranny," he said. "You guys are the feds." ...

...Near the end of the session, one bureau member asked Siddiqi why the common Muslim man "doesn't stand up and say this is unacceptable" and bring terrorists to justice.

Siddiqi responded, "We have held Muslims hostage to that question. The common man in Islam is no different than the common man here. The common man cannot bring terrorists to justice."

And he compared it to the notion that all Italians should bring the Mafia to its knees or that common Russians should bring down the Russian mob.