The recent news pertaining to the New York Police Department surveillance of Muslim students in Northeastern universities is shocking and alarming.

Collecting data and investigating Muslim students with the presumption of guilt though they should be assumed innocent is troubling at best. At worst, it is a rampant abuse of policing powers and calls into question the breach of our civil liberties. 

Syracuse University, implicated in the reporting, is my alma mater. The possibility that there would be informants in the midst of a student group without reasonable doubt is demonstrative of the excessive measures afforded police and other authorities in combating ‘terror.’

What were Muslim students guilty of in this case? Has the freedom to practice one’s religion become synonymous with being suspicious for acts of terror? Or is this something that only happens in the case of Muslim Americans?

I can say with confidence that none of my peers have engaged in behaviors that could be deemed worthy of suspicion. The activities and programs with which we were engaged dealt with supporting the Rescue Mission of Syracuse, arts exhibits on Islamic art and architecture, cultural exhibitions and other civic and socially engaging activities. 

I was the president of the SU Muslim Students Association for approximately two and a half or so years between 2005 and 2008. Under my administration, if there were any students whom authorities deemed suspicious, they should’ve engaged with me and other leaders, including university administration, to better identify who potentially posed threats and who didn’t. As a community, we are more intimately informed about our affairs. Bad policing and investigative practices of the NYPD not only violated our civil liberties, but was a waste of resources. This case shows the lack of knowledge the NYPD has pertaining to Muslim students and how to stymie radicalism. There is a serious resource gap in education and tools needed by authorities to more properly identify and pursue current real threats and those that may potentially emerge in the future. 

I’m a New Yorker and understand how sensitive this topic is. Yet, being entrenched deeply in justice my American and Muslim identity collectively call me to action. My patriotism and love of my country compels me; so too, does my religion. Greater collaboration and engagement between groups and organizations to prevent such violations of what makes America great should be encouraged and fostered.

America is a pluralist society. Muslim Americans, particularly those who only know America as their home, deserve to play a role and be a thread in the fabric of the American tapestry.

Yusuf Abdul-Qadir

Engagement Fellow, Syracuse University 2011-12

Young Leaders Delegate, Muslim Public Affairs Council 2011-12 

Published on February 21, 2012 at 12:00 pm