(Washington, DC - 8/4/08) This week, Senator Joseph Lieberman (ID - CT) replied to community concerns over a flawed terrorism report, calling for continued collaboration between the Muslim Public Affairs Council, other Muslim advocacy groups, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Committee).

The May 8th, 2008 report, entitled "Violent Islamist Extremism, the Internet, and the Homegrown Terrorist Threat", falsely characterizes Muslims in America as susceptible to "radicalization" allowing for widespread racial and religious profiling. The report fails to invite substantial input by American Muslims at Committee hearings, and falsely generalizes Muslims in America as susceptible to "radicalization". In addition, the report places emphasis on a discredited 2007 report by the New York Police Department that recommends particular scrutiny of American Muslims.

Senator Lieberman's office responded to these concerns saying, "As the Committee moves forward on this critical issue, we will continue to reach out to your organizations and others that represent the diverse American Muslim community. Meeting the threat of homegrown terrorism must be a collaborative effort that engages the millions of Americans of all faiths who are committed to combating the pointless destructiveness of violent extremist ideologies of any kind."

MPAC urges the Committee to examine a truly representative range of recommendations in order to craft a more credible and less discriminatory analysis of how to secure safety, while preserving the freedoms of all Americans.

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