Hawzah News Agency (New York, US) – Muslim leaders and their lawyers said a settlement has been reached about legal claims that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) illegally spied on Muslims empowers them to prevent future abuse.

The deal was announced Thursday by the US city and the Islamic community.

Center for Constitutional Rights legal director Baher Azmy told a news conference that the agreement ensures the NYPD will act legally as an increasingly empowered Muslim community asserts its rights.

The agreement resolved a 2012 suit in Newark, New Jersey, after The Associated Press (AP) revealed how the NYPD infiltrated Muslim student groups and put informants in mosques to try to prevent terrorist attacks.

The AP reported that the effort crossed into New Jersey, where the department collected intelligence on ordinary people at mosques, restaurants and schools starting in 2002.