In a recent disclosure by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim American advocacy group, alarming statistics have emerged regarding the FBI’s secret watchlist. The report titled “Twenty Years Too Many, A Call to Stop the FBI’s Secret Watchlist” sheds light on the disproportionate targeting of Muslims, with more than 98 percent of the watchlist entries being Muslim names. This revelation raises serious concerns about civil liberties and calls for immediate action to address the discriminatory practices.

Targeting Muslims

Unveiling the Disturbing Statistics: The comprehensive analysis conducted by CAIR reviewed more than 1.5 million entries in the FBI’s Terrorism Screening Database. The findings reveal an alarming trend, with more than 350,000 entries associated with names such as Mohamed, Ali or Mahmoud. Furthermore, the top 50 most frequently occurring names on the watchlist are all Muslim names. Shockingly, the report estimates that more than 1.47 million entries, or more than 98 percent of the total, pertain to Muslims. These figures depict a clear bias that warrants urgent attention.

Impact on the Muslim community

For two decades, the FBI’s secret watchlist has inflicted hardship and fear within the Muslim community. Individuals on the watchlist face numerous challenges, including travel restrictions, encounters with law enforcement, immigration issues, instances of police violence, difficulties obtaining permits and licenses, professional consequences and limited access to government buildings. These restrictions not only impede their daily lives, but also perpetuate feelings of marginalization and stigmatization.

Unveiling the future targets

While Muslims have borne the brunt of the watchlist’s discriminatory practices, the report warns that future targets will likely be fellow Americans once the “War on Terror” narrative shifts. As the fog of this war lifts, it is imperative to recognize the potential threat to civil liberties for all citizens. This report serves as a critical warning to ensure that similar practices are not perpetuated against any community in the future.

Addressing the watchlist

The Muslim group has called upon President Biden to take swift action in addressing the discriminatory nature of the FBI’s watchlist. It is crucial to reform this system to protect the civil liberties of all individuals, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. Such reforms should include increased transparency, accountability and oversight mechanisms to prevent the targeting of specific communities without just cause.

The revelations of the FBI’s secret Watchlist targeting Muslims should serve as a wake-up call for the entire nation. Safeguarding civil liberties is a collective responsibility that transcends religious or cultural affiliations. It is vital to foster an environment where the government’s counterterrorism efforts do not infringe upon the rights and dignity of any individual or community.

The disturbing statistics disclosed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations highlight the troubling reality of the FBI’s secret watchlist, which overwhelmingly targets Muslims. This discriminatory practice undermines the principles of justice, fairness and equality that are the foundation of a democratic society. Urgent action is needed to rectify these systemic flaws, promote transparency and protect the civil liberties of all Americans. By addressing this issue, the United States can reaffirm its commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of every individual, regardless of their religious or ethnic background.