LOS ANGELES- A coalition of Muslim and civil liberties groups claimed on Monday that Muslims are being singled out for detention and deportation in the wake of deadly terror attacks blamed on Islamist militants.

The civil rights of Muslims living in the United States are threatened by government practices that single out Muslims for detention and deportation in the wake of the September 11 attacks, the coalition led by the Muslim Public Affairs Council said.

"The violation of civil liberties is an addictive behaviour. If we allow it, it will increase. It will not diminish," said Maher Hathout, the group's director.

US authorities have detained hundreds of people in the investigation of the attacks, which killed more than 3 000, and questioned thousands of Muslim men who entered the country on non-immigrant visas.

Authorities also have tightened visa restrictions for men from predominantly Muslim nations and cracked down on those who have ignored deportation. - Nampa-AFP