FBI watching Somali Muslims in D.C.

By Paul Sperry

....the Baileys Crossroads area of Northern Virginia – about 10 miles from the capital – was a critical focus of security investigations in advance of the presidential inauguration in January.

Investigators say a troubling number of the area's Somali men hold "militant" anti-American views and sympathize with al-Qaida. They typically work as taxi drivers, gathering at local coffeehouses during their breaks, as well as at a nearby mosque tied to 9/11.

Worshipers pray outside Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va.

Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va., which assisted at least two of the al-Qaida hijackers, has a large representation of Somali immigrants. Investigators say a former Dar al-Hijrah imam is now working with al-Qaida to arm and recruit fighters – including Americans – for the holy war in Somalia.

"Somalis were the hot topic during the inauguration, and they still are," said a senior investigator assigned to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force in Washington. "They're very militant, and they're all over that area."

Authorities estimate the Washington area is home to about 6,000 Somalis, most of whom are Muslim.....