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Arab, Muslim group bolsters presence in N.J.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CLIFTON — With bias
incidents against Arab-Americans and Muslims recently on the rise in
New Jersey, an anti-discrimination group is strengthening its
presence here, hoping to become a much larger part of the fight to
defend civil rights and project a positive image of the state's
Muslim community.
Although it has operated in New Jersey for nine years, the
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee has not had a physical
presence in the state. That will change Jan. 14 when the group opens
an office a few blocks from the heart of Paterson's Arab-American
community.
"It gives people the feeling of permanency, that ADC is not just
some passing fad that will go away in a few years," said the group's
president, Hani Khoury. "It provides a physical location for people
to go to get help and have their questions answered about Social
Security, how to meet their senator or congressman, or to talk to
someone about a problem."
A survey by the Council on American-Islamic Relations found bias
incidents against Muslims and Arab-Americans were up sharply last
year, both nationwide and in New Jersey. Some 69 bias incidents were
documented in 2004, up from 40 in 2003. That represented an increase
of more than 72 percent.
Although it was not classified a bias incident, one of the most
respected elders of Paterson's Muslim community was detained and
questioned on the way home from a business trip several weeks ago.
The man, Mohamed Younes, had been a sharp critic of the detention
and questioning of Muslim airline passengers.
Khoury, 38, is an immigration attorney who represented about 10
detainees caught up in the massive law enforcement dragnet
immediately following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"Our number one priority is battling discrimination against
Arab-Americans, and changing the stereotypes, letting people know
we're not terrorists, we're not all evil," Khoury said. "We're human
beings just like you."
The group also plans to reach out aggressively to the community
on everyday matters such as registering to vote.
The office also will serve as a point of contact for local, state
and federal elected officials and law enforcement authorities.
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