CAIR-NY Welcomes Appointment of Muhammad Faridi as NYPD Civilian Representative
Lejla Hadzic, President of MuBany (Muslim Bar Association of New York), Muhammad Faridi, NYPD Civilian Representative, and Ahmed Mohamed, Legal Director of CAIR-NY
(NEW YORK, NY, 2/21/2023)— The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) welcomes the appointment of Muhammad Faridi as the NYPD Civilian Representative. Faridi was appointed as a civilian observer to sit on the NYPD's Handschu committee.
SEE: Mayor Adams Announces Appointment of Muhammad Faridi as Civilian Appointee for Handschu Committee
The Handschu guidelines are regulations set by the federal courts on how and when law enforcement can investigate political or religious activities. The Civilian Representative, charged with overseeing surveillance of constitutionally protected religious and political organizing, was introduced as part of a joint settlement process in the Raza v. City of New York case. As part of his duties, the Civilian Representative is required to file an annual report on the NYPD’s compliance with the Handschu Guidelines.
SEE: RAZA V. CITY OF NEW YORK - LEGAL CHALLENGE TO NYPD MUSLIM SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
Faridi is a Partner in Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP’s Litigation department. In April 2022, Mr. Faridi was appointed to serve on the New York City Mayor's Advisory Committee on the Judiciary (“MACJ”), entrusted to “ensure that only candidates with the highest qualifications and from diverse backgrounds are nominated for judicial appointments to criminal and family courts, as well as interim appointments to civil court.” One of Faridi’s recent wins was in a pro bono case his firm sued the government for refusing to award U.S. citizenship to a Muslim religious figure from Sudan.
Ahmed Mohamed, Legal Director of CAIR-NY, said in a statement:
“As advocates for Muslim New Yorkers, we commend Mayor Adams for listening to impacted communities and welcome the decision to appoint Muhammad Faridi as the Civilian Representative to the Handschu Committee. Mr. Faridi has a proven commitment to justice, inclusion, and equity. We look forward to working with Mr. Faridi to protect New Yorkers constitutionally protected religious and political rights.”
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Become a Fan of CAIR-NY on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewYork
Subscribe to CAIR-NY's Email List
https://www.cair-ny.org/stay-connected
Subscribe to CAIR-NY's Twitter Feed
https://twitter.com/CAIRNewYork
Subscribe to CAIR-NY’s YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/CAIRNYtv
Follow CAIR-NY on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cairnewyork
Donate to CAIR-NY
https://www.cair-ny.org/donate
Do you like reading CAIR-NY's press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR-NY's work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR-NY's advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR-NY.
END
CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com