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Police Confiscate Computers

Authorities searched an Islamic institute and mosque in northern Virginia Thursday.

News4's Jeff Napshin reported a search warrant was served on the organization, which is located in the 8500 block of Hilltop Road in the Merrifield area.

The FBI, immigration and customs officials and the Internal Revenue Service were involved in the search of the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences in America.

The all-day search resulted in computers, boxes and files being confiscated and carted away.

Slideshow: Chopper4 Islamic Center Raid Images

An attorney who said he was from a Muslim civil rights group appeared on the scene to ensure that no rights were violated.

"It's as though this is some sort of anti-Muslim dragnet," said Arsalan Istikhar, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). "But we do have faith in the American legal system and we do feel that justice will prevail."

It was a scene that drew the attention of (NEARBY) office workers.

"With all of the (9/11) and all the terrorist attacks I guess everybody is trying to be cautious and check out everyone else so that something doesn't happen," said Chris Bowen, who works nearby.

The building houses a school that teaches Arabic courses and strict Islamic studies. It has also trained dozens of chaplains for the U.S. military.

Napshin reported the raid was part of an ongoing investigation into the possible financing of terrorism. The institute is affiliated with the Saudi Arabian embassy.

Authorities said no charges have been filed and no arrests made in connection with the raid.