Anti-Terror Lessons of Muslim-Americans

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Anti-Terror Lessons of Muslim-Americans The author(s) shown below used Federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice and prepared the following final report: Document Title: Anti-Terror Lessons of Muslim-Americans Author: David Schanzer, Charles Kurzman, Ebrahim Moosa Document No.: 229868 Date Received: March 2010 Award Number: 2007-IJ-CX-0008 This report has not been published by the U.S. Department of Justice. To provide better customer service, NCJRS has made this Federally- funded grant final report available electronically in addition to traditional paper copies. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Anti- Terror Lessons of Muslim-Americans DAVID SCHANZER SANFORD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY DUKE UNIVERSITY CHARLES KURZMAN DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL EBRAHIM MOOSA DEPARTMENT OF RELIGION DUKE UNIVERSITY JANUARY 6, 2010 This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Project Supported by the National Institute of Justice This project was supported by grant no. 2007-IJ-CX-0008, awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. — 2 — This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Table of Contents Executive Summary.......1 Introduction.......4 Part 1. Homegrown Terrorism: Rhetoric and Reality.... ..6 Part 2. Muslim-Americans’ Anti-Radicalization Activities.....18 Part 3. Conclusions and Recommendations.....40 About the Authors.....46 Acknowledgments.....47 Endnotes.....48 Appendix: Muslim-American Terrorism Offenders, 2001-2009.....53 Sidebars Research Site Profiles.....12-16 North Carolina Terrorism Arrests.....17-18 “I Called the FBI”.....23-24 “Venting Sessions”..........26 “We Monitor Our Masjids”..........27 “What Will Harm Them, Will Harm Us”..........35 “We Are Not Against America”..........36 Charts Age..... 10 Citizenship Status.... .11 EtEthnicity.... .11 Incidents..........11 This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Executive Summary PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT Low Numbers of Radicalized Muslim-Americans. Although the vast majority of Muslim-Americans reject In the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, radical extremist ideology and violence, a small number 2001, and subsequent terrorist attacks elsewhere of Muslim-Americans have radicalized since 9/11. In around the world, a key counterterrorism concern the eight years following 9/11, according to our project’s is the possible radicalization of Muslims living in count, 139 Muslim-Americans committed acts of ter- the United States. Yet, the record over the past rorism-related violence or were prosecuted for terror- eight years contains relatively few examples of ism-related offenses that involve some element of vio- Muslim-Americans that have radicalized and turned lence. This level of approximately 17 individuals per toward violent extremism. This project seeks to ex- years is small compared to other violent crime in Amer- plain this encouraging result by identifying charac- ican, but not insignificant. Homegrown terrorism is a teristics and practices in the Muslim-American com- serious, but limited, problem. munity that are preventing radicalization and vio- Practices of Muslim-American Communities Prevent lence. Radicalization. Our research shows that a variety of This objective was pursued through interviews of practices of Muslim-American communities may be over 120 Muslims located in four different Muslim- helping to prevent and address instances of radicalization. American communities across the country (Buffalo, These practices include the following: Houston, Seattle, and Raleigh-Durham), a comprehensive • Public and private denunciations of terrorism review of studies and literature on Muslim-American and violence. Muslim-American organizations and communities, a review of websites and publications of leaders have consistently condemned terrorist vio- Muslim-American organizations, and a compilation of lence here and abroad since 9/11, arguing that data on prosecutions of Muslim-Americans on violent such violence is strictly condemned by Islam. Our terrorism-related offenses. research found that these statements were not A review of these materials has led to recommen- just for public consumption, but were supported dations on how the positive anti-terrorism lessons of by local Muslim religious and community leaders, Muslim-American communities can be reinforced. who consistently condemned political violence in public sermons and private conversations. These statements represent powerful messages that res- FINDINGS onate within Muslim-American communities. • Self-policing. Muslim-Americans have adopted This research resulted in a number of related find- numerous internal self-policing practices to prevent ings: the growth of radical ideology in their communities. The practices range from confronting individuals Increased Anti-Muslim Bias. Since 9/11, there has who express radical ideology or support for terrorism, been increased tension among Muslim-Americans preventing extremist ideologues from preaching in about their acceptance in mainstream American society. mosques, communicating concerns about radical Muslim-Americans perceive a stronger anti-Muslim bias individuals to law enforcement officials, and purging from both their day-to-day interactions and the media, radical extremists from membership in local mosques. a bias that is confirmed in public opinion polling. While Muslim-Americans have also adopted programs Muslim-Americans understand and support the need for youth to help identify individuals who react in- for enhanced security and counterterrorism initiatives, appropriately to controversial issues so they can they believe that some of these efforts are discriminatory, be counseled and educated. and they are angered that innocent Muslim-Americans bear the brunt of the impact of these policies. — 1 — This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. • Community-building. The creation of robust Mus­ our research suggests otherwise. The assertion of lim-American communities may serve as a preven­ Muslim-American identity follows the precedent tative measure against radicalization by reducing of other racial, ethnic, and religious groups in the social isolation of individuals who may be at risk of United States: they have embraced the compatibility becoming radicalized. The stronger such commu­ of minority and American identities. Increased piety nities are, in terms of social networks, educational among Muslim-Americans also serves to undercut programs, and provision of social services, the the radical message that American values and more likely they are to identify individuals who are practices are hostile to Islam. prone to radicalization and intervene appropriately. Undermining radicalization is frequently not the RECOMMENDATIONS primary goal of these community-building activities, which are generally aimed at strengthening com­ munity resources in response to the increased Research findings suggest that radicalization in the social and governmental pressure that Muslim- United States can be minimized by taking the fol­ Americans have experienced since 9/11. However, lowing steps to reinforce successful anti-radicalization our research indicates that these activities may activities of Muslim-American communities and have the positive side effect of reducing the create a more positive environment for Muslim- likelihood of radicalization. Americans: • Political engagement. Heightened political activity 1. Encourage Political Mobilization. Increased po­ of Muslim-Americans since 9/11 is also a positive litical mobilization is the most important trend identified development for preventing radicalization. Political by this study, as it both stunts domestic radicalization engagement channels grievances into democratic and provides an example to Muslims around the world forums and promotes integration of Muslim-Amer­ that grievances can be resolved through peaceful dem­ icans into an important aspect of American life. At ocratic
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