UAE | Crime
Homeland chief warns against anti-Muslim backlash
- AP
- Published: 15:21 November 8, 2009
- United States Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano talks to Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Image Credit: AP
Abu Dhabi: US Homeland Security officials are working with groups around United States to head off any possible anti-Muslim backlash following the shootings at Fort Hood in Texas, the agency's chief said Sunday.
The comments by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano also appeared part of efforts to reassure the Arab world that US authorities were taking measures to quell anti-Islam sentiments after last week's rampage by an American-born Muslim serving as US Army psychiatrist.
"This was a terrible tragedy for all involved," Napolitano told reporters in the United Arab Emirates' capital Abu Dhabi. "Obviously, we object to - and do not believe - that anti-Muslim sentiment should emanate from this."
Napolitano said her agency is working with state and local groups to try to deflect any anti-Muslim anger after the Thursday attacks by Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a Muslim who reportedly expressed growing dismay over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The shootings left 13 people dead and 29 wounded.
"This was an individual who does not, obviously, represent the Muslim faith," she said after meeting with a group of women university students.
Napolitano also planned talks with Emirates security officials, but gave no further details. Cooperation on security issues have been stepped up in recent years after airlines began direct flights between the UAE and the United States.
Last week, Napolitano was in Europe for meetings with political leaders and security officials.
Share this article
Popular in UAE

-
Gallery
Your Pictures
XPRESS brings you a selection of the best reader pictures

-
Money
Managing with less
How to manage with less than Dh3,000 to spend every month

-
Your Say
Fun encounters
What was the craziest way in which you made a friend?
Latest news
- Dubai Municipality declares car-free day
- UAE issues booklet on workers' rights
- Dubai's Arabic-speaking robot takes a flight to Riyadh
- RAK bans shisha smoking on Corniches
- School pupils raise funds for Haiti
- No individual meals at public kitchens
- Trio to be charged with breach of trust
- Man smoked hashish in police station parking lot
- Mohammad visits Dubai laboratory
- Sayegh, Al Sarsi sworn in as judges
- UAE youth join trip to spread peace
- Man denies stripping, threatening to kill woman
- Sharia Court to issue ID cards as proof of marriage
- Burj Khalifa observation deck incident 'minor'
- Dubai Health Authority finds hospital 'negligent'
