Since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the American Muslim community has offered a series of ``Know Your Rights'' workshops at area community centers and mosques. The State Bar of California on Friday awarded a Presidential Pro Bono Award to the Bay Area Association of Muslim Lawyers (BAAML) for its work. In an edited interview with religion writer Kim Vo, BAAML president and San Jose attorney Marwa Elzankaly discussed civil rights, the war on terror and the concerns of Muslim women.

Q Why did BAAML start the Know Your Rights workshops after the attacks of Sept. 11?

A It was the first time our community had come under attack and the target for federal criminal investigations by the FBI. They were rounding up and interviewing a lot of people, and when I say interviewing, I'm being nice about it. It was more like interrogating. And people's homes were being searched and no one knew how to respond to it. BAAML recognized there was a need for our community to become educated about what their rights are.

Q You said certain parts of the Muslim community have been targeted?

A It depends on what's happening in the world. Now I'm getting lots of calls from members of the Persian Muslim community, a lot of Iranians have been receiving calls from FBI agents. Before, it was mostly a lot of Afghan Muslims.

Q You had to educate yourself about civil rights. What was most surprising?

A What was really surprising is how many rights you have. I think we all forget. Most people feel like: ``If I get a call from the FBI or I get a call from the police, I have to do what they say.'' And the reality is you really don't.

Q You advise not talking to law enforcement, or letting them into your home without a warrant. Doesn't that leave BAAML vulnerable to criticism for telling Muslims not to help fight terrorism?

A I worry about that, but I think for us as lawyers, we're not a public-relations organization. . . . My response: These are rights everyone has, they're not rights Muslims have.

Q Have you become more cynical about the government?

A I haven't. That's very surprising, huh? I think I have more respect for the system than I ever did before. And I recognize that human beings are human beings . . . and there are people who will abuse the power if allowed to do so. But then there are people who take their job very seriously and are not just out there to get people -- they want to do the right thing.

Q What are commonly asked questions at the workshops?

A A lot of questions about airports: What if they tell me to take off my scarf? What if they interrogate us, and pull us aside and take us into a room at the airport? How much do we answer? That's difficult to answer, especially if you're not a U.S. citizen. They have a right to ask you about immigration-related questions.

Q Do women ask different questions from men? Or African-American Muslims vs. Arab Muslims?

A The issues for women vs. men are very different. . . . These women who stay home alone are more easily intimidated sometimes by FBI agents or police. They definitely need more guidance and a focus. I've started building a presentation for women: You're home by yourself, your husband's not there, don't answer the door.

Q If someone asks, ``Where's your husband?'' and you say, ``At work'' -- what's the harm?

A One client, home by herself, opened the door, and the first question was, ``Where's your husband? Where is your son?'' Eventually, she let them in and they searched the house without a search warrant. It was all very friendly. . . . So you go: What's the big deal if you have nothing to hide? It lets them scrutinize everything you have -- ``Why does your child have a violent video game?'' Well, just about every child in America has a violent video game. But for you, it suddenly becomes evidence of a potential mindset that might lead to getting involved in terrorist activities.

Q Do you think law enforcement has become more sensitive?

A I think in California it's probably a little bit better, a little bit easier. And I know they go through cultural sensitivity training and I think a lot of them take it seriously.

Q Your life has certainly changed since Sept. 11.

A My life has changed, my practice has changed, my view on things has changed. I didn't start wearing [the head scarf] until two years ago. . . . I tried to gain a better understanding of my religion because I was constantly being asked, ``Why do you do this? Why do you do that?'' . . . So I started learning about the history of women in Islam and observing things and decided: This is right, modesty is a good thing, not a bad thing. I also wanted to show that I can be a fully practicing Muslim woman, but also independent, successful and have a career. I can do all kinds of things. You're not oppressed because you practice Islam.