(CNN) -- I am an American Muslim. When I was growing up in a small town in upstate New York, the America I lived in cherished diversity and the freedom to worship, regardless of one's religion. People of various faiths resided in my community: Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Mormons. How a person prayed was never a factor in how we treated each other. Yet today, Muslims in America are viewed as suspect and legitimate targets for surveillance by the New York Police Department because of their faith. This is not the America I know, and it is time for the courts to weigh in and ban discriminatory policing by the NYPD.
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Farhana Khera: Muslims are targets of surveillance by the NYPD because of their faith
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Khera: Victims of NYPD's spying program are stepping up to file a lawsuit
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She says living freely as a Muslim in America today has become increasingly difficult
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Khera: It is time for the courts to weigh in and ban discriminatory action by the police
Parents of college students caution their children about participating in @placeholder student group activities.