FBI Raids Muslim Businesses, Charity Organizations
Middle East News Online
By Middle East News Online Reporter
Posted Wednesday September 5, 2001 - 06:02:04 PM EDT

DALLAS, Texas (MENO) - In another attempt to crack down on Muslims in the United States, the FBI hit again Wednesday, raiding a well-known Muslim Internet Service Provider company in Dallas, Texas.

A Dallas area television reported that the raid involved nearly 50 federal agents and was preceded by complete evacuation of the building that hosted the company, Infocom Corporation, among other businesses.

No reasons were yet provided for the raid, but Muslim activists in the US fear that the US' backing of Israel is forcing it to become a "police state." The Muslim company hosts over 500 companies including leading Muslim organizations' web sites.

Eyewitnesses say that agents from the State Department, US Customs and US Secret Services have also took part of the raid.

Infocom is based in Richardson, Texas. Currently, the company's entire records are being confiscated, a process that might take a few days.

The host company provides services for well-known organizations such as Council on American Islamic Relations, Islamic Society of North America and Holy Land Foundation.

Muslim leaders in the US say that such actions are very alarming, especially as some of these organizations known for their charity works, not only for Palestine, but also worldwide.

Bayan Elashi, the owner of Infocom, told reporters "We are just waiting for them (the FBI) to tell us what this is about."

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