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Mail The Latest Casualty In The War On Terrorism

By Sound Vision Staff

At first she thought it was a strange coincidence. She had had her mail opened a few times before but had ignored it as nothing important had been lost.

However, in the last few weeks, something more bizarre has occurred: mail from Islamic organizations, in specific, has been opened before it reaches this sister or her husband. In one case, it happened to a large envelope from a US-based Islamic relief organization. In the second case, a letter from a local Muslim organization that uses a crescent as its emblem came opened, along with other general mail that was unopened.

This is not as unusual as it seems though. Other Muslims across the US are experiencing similar types of problems, whether it is pre-opened or delayed mail. In the wake of discussions about Operation TIPS which really aims to encourage neighbors to spy on neighbors, as well as people like postal workers to report "suspicious" activity in another move that's part of the war on terrorism, these kinds of problems are likely to get worse.

Nonetheless, you cannot and should not take it lying down. There are ways to deal with this kind of abuse of your privacy.

File a complaint with the US Postal Service Inspection service at:

https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm

Also, contact your local branch of the Consumer Affairs Department. Find out the one closest to you at:

http://www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-cam.html

Also contact your local post office and inform them about this abuse. Check what other options they have available for residents to deal with this kind of privacy abuse.

Finally, find out what you can do about Operation TIPS through this campaign led by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Your Comments

Dr. Mulazimuddin S. Rasool, Massachusetts - wrote on 9/16/2002 11:09:25 PM
Rating:
Comment: As-Salaamu Alaikum The postal service started holding and opening my mail prior to 9/11. Also they are sending mail back saying they cannot find the recipient. For individuals the way to get around it while waiting for the postal service to do nothing about it is to attach another name to your mail box. Mail would then be sent to John Smith or Vigilant Consultants etc. We have used this and it works.

Naima S., California - wrote on 9/16/2002 6:21:07 PM
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Comment: SubhunaAllahu! I thought it was just me. At least 2 pieces of mail I received this summer have been open - one was ripped open and the other torn more carefully. Since both were junk mail, I just ignored it...This article will teach me to be more observant.

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