DEARBORN — Although non-profits across the United States take advantage of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Non-profit Security Grant Program (NSGP) every year, the Islamic Center of America’s interest in it has been misunderstood, officials say. 

FEMA is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Through its NSGP, non-profits can receive up to $75,000 to improve security systems. 

“There’s dozens of organizations including religious organizations that receive this money and it’s unfortunate that the moment we want to take advantage of this money it’s misrepresented as being some type of nefarious cooperation with the government to spy on our congregation which is completely false…” ICA Executive Administrator Kassem Allie said. 

He says organizations in southeast Michigan such as the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), hospitals, churches, schools and synagogues have also received the grant. The Islamic Institute of Knowledge has also applied this year. According to a DHS official the grant program started five years ago, and last year six synagogues and four hospitals received it.   

DHS has no discretion over what or how the ICA or any other non-profit uses the grant which is spent only on security hardening. The ICA has complete control over how the money is spent and who installs the devices. The grant can help pay for various security measures including training, bullet proof glass, cameras, blockades and card access controlled doors among other installations. 

Authorization of the ICA’s application is still pending. Allie says it’s most likely that the ICA would not use the grant to purchase cameras because it already installed a camera system five years ago.  “No one is installing cameras for us,” he said. A security system was also put in place at the ICA years ago. Allie says the grant would expand the current security system.  

The installation of security devices and features are not set up by DHS, FEMA or any government agencies. The ICA and other organizations can make the installations or hire a contractor to do it. Then FEMA through the DHS reimburses them. 

“If there were strings attached we would not be putting ourselves in the position where we would concern our congregation or the people who come here about there being any additional invasion of their privacy,” Allie said. 

FEMA’S NSGP is only one of the several types of grants the agency offers. FEMA also distributes the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program, Assistance to Firefighters Program, Intercity Bus Security Grant Program among others. FEMA is primarily known for attending to the victims of natural disasters. 

  According to the DHS Web site non-profits who apply for the grant must be at high risk of a terrorist attack.  The DHS had not  responded as of press time with further information on the grant. The current year’s deadline has passed, but non-profits can apply for 2012 grants at www.dhs.gov.

The ICA is the largest mosque in North America and often the target of suspicion because of unfortunate events such as 9/11 and other incidents. Allie says  there is always a segment of the population that wants to paint Muslims in a certain light and it’s unfortunate that they have to keep defending themselves and trying to reestablish trust and understanding about who and what they are.