Recent terror raids in Queens have led to a spike in fear and racial profiling, Muslim advocates charge.About 40 people rallied outside the Flushing Public Library Saturday to draw attention to what they called an uptick in targeted policing.
The rally was in response to raids last month linked to a suspected bomb plot. Najibullah Zazi, 24, who authorities say was trained at an Al Qaeda terror camp, pleaded not guilty to conspiring to detonate explosives.
"An entire community of people and religion should not be profiled or characterized as terrorists because of [one] certain investigation," said Monami Maulik, who runs the South Asian immigrant rights group Desis Rising Up and Moving.
Naiz Khan, who allowed Zazi to stay at his Flushing apartment, said FBI agents raided his flat and he hasn't been able to find work since.
"I was so scared and I was so nervous," he said. "I have been so affected by this."
"People are scared," said Sultan Faiz, a leader at Abu Bakar Mosque in Queens.
Organizers say Muslims in New York haven't been this scared since the months after 9/11, when some were subject to discrimination across the country.
The NYPD issued a statement saying they don't engage in racial profiling.
Source: New York Daily News
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