ACLU Files FOIA Request On Monitoring of Mosques

Yesterday, the ACLU of Southern California announced that it has filed a Freedom of Information Act request on behalf of several Muslim-American groups and mosques in southern California in order to obtain information on reported government monitoring of religious institutions. Shakeel Syed, executive director of the Islamic Shura Council said: "We are people of faith and our mosques are peaceful and tolerant places of worship. But people are being scared away from worship because of reports that mosques and those who pray at them are being monitored. People are afraid that practicing their religion or even visiting a mosque will make them a suspect of the government." Today's Los Angeles Times, covering the story, points out that in January, the FBI acknowledged that its agents have monitored mosques, Muslim-owned businesses and homes throughout the country for radiation levels.