A New Jersey resident, Samir Hashmi, has refiled a lawsuit against the New York City Police Department (NYPD) regarding surveillance practices under its controversial “mosque-raking” program. This latest legal effort aims to uncover whether the NYPD’s Intelligence Division spied on him and other Muslims during the Michael Bloomberg administration.
Hashmi’s case comes at a pivotal juncture as Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, prepares to take office. Mamdani has previously criticized the NYPD’s practices in targeting Muslim communities, which could influence how his administration responds to these allegations.
Hashmi, who was involved with the Rutgers Muslim Student Association in the late 2000s, is seeking to access a narrower set of records than previously requested. He aims to obtain intelligence summaries and profiles of organizations targeted by the NYPD from 2006 to 2008. His renewed petition follows a previous unsuccessful attempt to unearth records about police surveillance, underscored by a court ruling that allowed the NYPD to use a “Glomar” response to his inquiries.
The impetus behind Hashmi’s renewed efforts stems from both personal loss and ongoing community concerns about police surveillance. Following the death of his father and Harlem Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid—who was a co-plaintiff in Hashmi’s earlier lawsuit—he feels compelled to uncover the truth about the NYPD’s operations against Arab and Muslim groups.
Concern intensified for Hashmi when Mamdani appointed Jessica Tisch as police commissioner, given her background in the NYPD’s Intelligence Division. Hashmi expressed alarm over continuing surveillance practices, pointing to persistent reports of law enforcement improperly questioning members of the Muslim community.
The NYPD’s demographics unit, which operated in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, conducted widespread surveillance and undercover operations in Muslim neighborhoods, despite failing to generate any substantial leads in terrorism cases. While this unit has been disbanded, incidents of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric remain prominent, as evidenced by recent controversial comments from local officials.
Hashmi insists that the conversation around the NYPD’s past abuses is overdue and necessary for accountability. He believes that the new mayor’s commitment to addressing these issues is crucial, especially given his history with the former Imam and the promises made to honor his legacy.
The NYPD and Mamdani’s office have thus far remained silent regarding the lawsuit and the broader allegations of ongoing surveillance practices. The outcome of Hashmi’s suit will not only test Mamdani’s stance on policing but could also shed light on the lasting impact of the NYPD’s method of monitoring Muslim communities in New York City.
