On July 11, 2003, Mr. Ralph F. Boyd, Jr., visited KARAMAH to exchange views with its leadership. Mr. Boyd has been the U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights since the beginning of the Bush administration. In fact, he accompanied Mr. Ashcroft soon after September 11th, 2001, to the Islamic Center of Washington. There, he met with a group of Muslim leaders, including Professor al-Hibri of KARAMAH, over an Iftar dinner.

During the July 11th visit, Mr. Boyd met with ten KARAMAH women to discuss civil rights issues and ways in which the Department of Justice has been attempting to address the concerns of American Muslims. These concerns included the rise in discrimination and hate crimes against Muslims, continued racial profiling and other post- 9/11 civil liberties issues. Mr. Boyd outlined the measures that are being taken to address these concerns, including sensitivity training and education to redress misconceptions about American Muslims and Islam that have arisen since 9/11.

KARAMAH staff and volunteers enjoyed a lively discussion with Mr. Boyd, as part of a continued series of discussions and roundtable meetings between KARAMAH and the Department of Justice (DoJ). One of the earliest such meetings was held at the Department of Justice and involved a presentation by DoJ attorneys about the Patriot Act and related laws. Another involved a presentation by KARAMAH to a group of DoJ employees at the Civil Rights Division.

Mr. Boyd’s visit was one of the last such visits he made before leaving his post at the Department of Justice and returning to private practice. He is succeeded by Mr. R. Alexander Acosta.