November 27, 2001

Little Beit Sahour in Michigan

Soon after I arrived in Palestine, I found that quite a few friends had family in Michigan. That surprised me. Why would Palestinians congregate to that area? Not sure, but a lot of them moved there to build homes and start families. Just today I spoke with a lady who had family there and last week a friend of mine returned from a family visit to Flint. Flint must be like a mini-Beit Sahour. That means that it must be a good place with some good people.

Anyway, today the Detroit Free Press published a letter that the police department submitted to the Detroit area "Middle Eastern" men. It was an "invitation" to come down to the station to be questioned. An invitation can be refused, right? What happens if you don't accept the invitation? I'm all for finding out what we can about the persons responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks, but something about this just doesn't sound right to me. If an American (or American-made weaponry) was responsible for atrocities in Bethlehem or Beit Sahour, I wouldn't feel so great about being extended an invitation like this.

Here's an article from Reuters:

U.S. Moves to Question Mideast Men About Attacks
By Tom Brown
DETROIT (Reuters) - Amid criticism the practice smacks of racial profiling and official intimidation, one federal law enforcement group is sending letters to hundreds of Middle Eastern men asking them to undergo questioning about the Sept. 11 attacks. In the Detroit metropolitan area, home to the largest concentration of Arabs in the United States, an anti-terrorism task force sent letters to about 560 people this week urging them to volunteer for an ``interview'' by next Tuesday. As with about 4,440 other Mideast immigrants wanted for questioning by the US Justice Department (news - web sites), the people the letters are addressed to are all men, age 18 to 33, who entered the United States on temporary visas after Jan. 1, 2000, from certain countries. Here's the complete article

And here's the text of the letter seeking help November 27, 2001, printed by the Detroit Free Press

"As you know, law enforcement officers and federal agents have been acquiring information that may be helpful in determining the persons responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Furthermore, they are pursuing all leads that may assist in preventing any further attacks. I am asking that you assist us in this important investigation."

"Your name was brought to our attention because, among other things, you came to Michigan on a visa from a country where there are groups that support, advocate, or finance international terrorism. We have no reason to believe that you are, in any way, associated with terrorist activities. Nevertheless, you may know something that could be helpful in our efforts. In fact, it is quite possible that you have information that may seem irrelevant to you but which may help us piece together this puzzle."

"Please contact my office to set up an interview at a location, date, and time that is convenient for you. During this interview, you will be asked questions that could reasonably assist in the efforts to learn about those who support, commit, or associate with persons who commit terrorism.

"While this interview is voluntary, it is crucial that the investigation be broad based and thorough, and the interview is important to achieve that goal. We need to hear from you as soon as possible -- by Dec. 4. Please call my office . . . between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. any day, including Saturday and Sunday. We will work with you to accommodate your schedule."