MPV Decries NYPD Monitoring Directed At Muslims In New York

March 7, 2012 - PRLog -- CONTACT: Fatima Thompson
Tel: 703-901-0720
Email: info@mpvusa.org

MPV Decries NYPD Monitoring Directed At Muslims In New York.

Los Angeles, CA – March 7, 2012: Following the recent flare-up in the debate over police ‘monitoring’ of Muslim communities by the NYPD, Muslims for Progressive Values joins the calls on the NYPD to respect the civil liberties of Muslims, and the calls on Muslims to counter radical ideologies within our communities.

Muslims for Progressive Values is a grassroots organization launched in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks. As Muslims in America, we spoke up to condemn the violent ideologies sometimes found in our faith community, and to offer Muslims an alternative reading of our sacred texts through a human rights lens. MPV has spoken out against the infringement of civil and human rights when needed, regardless of who the victims were and particularly when the injustice is perpetuated by Muslims.

Even before September 11, 2001, and certainly ever since, Muslims in America have partnered with local and federal law enforcement agencies in identifying individuals who seek to commit violent acts, and have also sought and received help from these agencies in protection from hate and fear-based violence directed at Muslims.

MPV firmly believes that having one radical in our midst is having one radical too many.  We Muslims have been and will continue to diligently monitor our communities for evidence of violent radicalism and will continue our partnership with law enforcement.

We also have a duty to protest violations of civil liberties. Raising our concerns about police practices should not cause someone to be defined or attacked as an ‘Islamist,’ just as standing with the NYPD should not trigger accusations of disloyalty to the Muslim community.

We urge law enforcement agencies to understand that many Muslims feel a deep betrayal of trust, given our efforts to report radicalism when it does occur. We remind the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies that we too want a safe and secure America, and we urge all Muslims who care about their communities and this country to come forward in the spirit of reconciliation to meet with the NYPD to resolve the current tensions.

To learn more about MPV please visit www.mpvusa.org.

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To arrange for an interview with Ani Zonneveld please contact her at 323-842-2869 (PST) or ani@mpvusa.org.

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is a 501 (c) (3) founded in 2007.  MPV asserts that Islam is inherently progressive, inclusive and egalitarian which is an understanding that informs the ten principles by which the organization is guided. In the short years since its inception, MPV has expanded to include chapters in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Atlanta and Philadelphia as well as in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. More information can be found at www.mpvusa.org.

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Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is a 501 (c) (3) founded in 2007. MPV has chapters and affiliates in Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Atlanta and Philadelphia as well as in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. More information at www.mpvusa.org.