Muslim leaders concerned about anti-extremism initiative

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Some Minnesota Muslim leaders are raising concerns about an initiative to counter extremism in the Twin Cities.

U.S. Attorney Andy Luger is leading a Minnesota delegation to Washington this week to share a strategy for empowering young Somali-Americans and fighting homegrown radicalization.

Jaylani Hussein is executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Minnesota Public Radio News reports Hussein says Luger's plan may be well-intentioned, but he says the top federal prosecutor in the state shouldn't be leading the effort to expand social services.

Luger's office is separately prosecuting cases related to the recruitment of fighters for radical groups in Syria.

Critics have objected to the pilot program to stem recruiting, arguing it risks stigmatizing Muslims and won't be effective due to community suspicion of the government's involvement.

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