Muslim Leaders Decline NY Mayor Invitation

New York, Dec 31, IRNA – Muslim Leaders in New York State skipped an invitation by New York mayor Michael Bloomberg in protest to spying activities in Muslim communities. According to IRNA, the Muslim community leaders rejected the annual interfaith breakfast on Friday to express their strong protest to the police surveillance in their communities. Muslim leaders said they declined the invitation to show their deep agitation with the activities of intelligence organizations who are trying to gather information from within Muslim communities. A number of leaders of other faiths like rabbis and priests too boycotted the event. During the past months, the police surveillance of Muslim mosques, neighborhoods and student sites has caused strong hatred and anger among the community members. A number of civilian and human rights organizations have protested the act as contrary to freedom of speech and religions in the US./end