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KC Muslim community constantly works with FBI

Posted at 9:03 PM, Mar 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-22 23:20:13-04

Every time ISIS attacks, Arif Ahmad and the Islamic Center of Johnson County feels the suspicion that surrounds the Muslim community. 

Ahmad is actively working with local FBI officials to make sure Islamic terrorism does not happen in Kansas City. 

"If one of my community members goes in a different direction, it reflects my entire community. So it is in our interest to make sure we are watchful, alert and do the right things. Because that is why the FBI was talking last night,” Ahmad said. 

On Monday, Ahmad and other leaders from the Islamic Center met with FBI officials to brainstorm and collaborate. 

“Most often, the tips about what they call Islamic terrorism comes from Muslims. They are the other people who help the law enforcement weed these bad apples out,” Ahmad explained. 

Retired FBI Agent Michael Tabman was a liaison to KC’s Muslim community during the 9/11 attacks.  Tabman said the partnership is important not only for the FBI but also for the Muslim people. 

"There is always a lot of tension aimed at them, hostilities aimed at them, them being held responsible. So to support them and work with them, and also provide them security needed in case retaliation,” Tabman said. 

Ahmad said he and his leadership team plan to meet with the FBI again in a couple months. 

“We are totally keeping our eye out. We actually talk about it in detail with them. They said, ‘We want to do this.’ And we said, ‘We will help you do this,’" Ahmad said.

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Lexi Sutter can be reached at alexandra.sutter@kshb.com.

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