November 16, 2007

 

IECOC Statement

 

 

In the overwhelming concern and avid engagement of Muslim leaders, the proposal by the LAPD to map Muslims in the greater Los Angeles area was terminated after a two-hour meeting with Muslim American community leaders and the LAPD on November 15, 2007.

 

Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton told the attendees that the plan was “dead on arrival,” and recognized that the mapping project was “offensive and inappropriate” to the American Muslims.

 

Chief Bratton plans on issuing a statement citing the termination of the mapping project and the needed joint effort and cooperation of the American Muslim community of Los Angeles and the LAPD.

 

Chairing the round-table meeting was Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton, Deputy Chief Mike P. Downing, one of the initiators of the mapping project, and Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Arif Alikhan. The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, the Council on America-Islamic Relations, along with, a handful of civil liberty groups attended the meeting.

 

At the meeting, American Muslim leaders voiced their concerns over any proposal which exclusively targets American Muslims by the LAPD. Both sides highlighted the need for police officials to better understand the diverse and well integrated American Muslim communities of Los Angeles. The meeting ended with a proposal to engage local Muslim leaders in a forum with police officials to develop better relations.

 

Indeed, ending the mapping project was a precedent and victorious accomplishment not just for American Muslims living in Los Angeles but across America as well. The success of terminating the mapping project was due to a united front of American Muslim leaders and Islamic organizations.

 

The support for the American Muslim community was also seen by numerous interfaith and social justice groups.

 

Imam Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini

Islamic Educational Center of Orange County