Muslim leaders to meet with Bishop

Leaders from Long Island’s Muslim community will meet Thursday with Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) at his Patchogue office to discuss the National Defense Authorization Act.

The act, signed last month by President Barack Obama, is a source of controversy because of provisions that allow the military to detain citizens. Some Muslim leaders have said the provisions are rooted in Islamophobia.

Bishop will meet with leaders from the Long Island Islamic Center in Westbury and the Islamic Association of Long Island in Selden, said Carl Mirra, East Moriches resident who helped organize the event.

“It should be an engaging meeting with broad representation of Brookhaven" residents, Mirra said.

The meeting, scheduled for 3 p.m. in Bishop’s Oak Street office, is not open to the general public, said Oliver Longwell, a spokesman for the congressman.

“He meets all the time with people who are concerned about legislation,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity to meet with people.”