U.S. Muslims’ Database Exposed, Raising Fears It Could Be Used as a “Target List”

A U.S. think tank has compiled information on thousands of Muslims and Islamic organizations in the United States over nearly two decades, raising concerns among civil rights advocates who warn that the data could potentially be used to monitor and harass Muslim communities. According to a report by HuffPost, the controversial U.S. think tank Middle East Forum has collected more than four million pieces of information over roughly 20 years on individuals and organizations associated with the American Muslim community.  The database includes individuals’ names, social media accounts and tax-related information, as well as details about mosques, religious schools, businesses and other organizations.

According to HuffPost, the database does not contain information only on Muslims and Islamic institutions. It also includes information on individuals and groups considered allies of the Muslim community. The Middle East Forum confirmed the existence of the archive after HuffPost contacted the think tank and informed it that it was preparing to publish a report about the database.  The think tank says researchers, journalists and other investigators can request access to the information.

Gregg Roman, the executive director of the Middle East Forum, said the organization had planned to announce the existence of the database later this year, but welcomed the fact that the information had already come to light. The Middle East Forum was founded in 1994. It says its objectives include defending Western values and highlighting what it describes as the threats posed by “legal Islamism.” However, civil rights organizations have accused the think tank of promoting anti-Muslim sentiment and spreading misleading information about Muslims.  The think tank says the information contained in the database was collected from public records and other open sources.

Caleb Kieffer, who is associated with the Southern Poverty Law Center, described the existence of the archive as extremely concerning. Pointing to the growing anti-Muslim rhetoric in the United States, he warned about the size of the database.  Similarly, Mobashra Tazamal of Georgetown University’s Bridge Initiative described the database as potentially a “target list” and warned that such information could be used to monitor or intimidate Muslims and Islamic organizations.

 The existence of the database was revealed at a time when concerns over growing anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States are increasing. Meanwhile, policies under Donald Trump’s administration, actions against pro-Palestinian protesters, and statements by some Republican lawmakers have further intensified political tensions surrounding the American Muslim community.

The Middle East Forum has defended its initiative, saying that identifying ideological connections and networks among U.S. civil society organizations is a common practice and that other groups also maintain similar databases.

However, civil rights advocates say that collecting such a large amount of information about Muslims and organizations associated with them raises serious concerns about its potential use, particularly amid the current climate of growing anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States.