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Ramadan 26,1429/ September 27, 2008, #51
Home invader was wearing Israeli flag on his lapel.
Scroll down
to Sis. Bilqis call to human conscience. Amazing photos. Who
is helping the war effort? Scroll way down.
What happened at the Marriott in Islamabad?
Scroll all the way down.
Answering the objection that W.D. Muhammad should not be
criticized. Two important letters.
Scroll down.
Jamaat al-Muslimeen [News] [next 5 items only]
P.O. Box 10881
Baltimore, MD 21234
EID CRESCENT
Dear Muslims: Sighting of the crescent is required Sunnah
for the completion of Ramadan and celebration of Eid. Don't
let agent groups mislead you away from Sunnah.
Check with islamicmoon.com in case the horizon is cloudy in
your area. Most probably Eid will be on October 2.
Or call Jamaat al-Muslimeen at: 443-869-5233
or 410-638-5965
Jamaat al-Muslimeen's Official Web Site is now active.
Would you like to join this peaceful but uncompromising
Islamic movement?
JamaatAlMuslimeenInternational.org
Check our National Islamic Shoora's resolutions related to
the August 16 International Peace Conference.
Answering the Jewish-Zionist "Obsession" [With thanks
to Sis. Hira in California. Also scroll way down to her
letter on W.D. Muhammad.]
http://www.obsessionwithhate.com
check the website out. A great rebuttal to an ignorant movie
perpetuating hate!
Sis. Amina Masood on Independent Radio Program "On with
Leon": The Tragedy of "Disappeared" Pakistanis
September 20, 2008:
Amina Masood Janjua of Islamabad, Pakistan, had her visa
cancelled minutes before she was to take the plane to
Washington. She has organized a movement for the
identification and location of more than 530 people who were
disappeared by the Musharraf government working closely with
the Bush administration. Under the Peoples' Party's
"democratic" government, things have not changed.
Dr. Wilmer Leon, Director of the
"On with Leon"
show wanted to know why Ms. Amina's voice had been silenced.
Ms. Amina's husband was among those who "disapeared." She
almost wept on the program as she remembered her husband and
the sorrow of her children.
Speaking from Europe, Ms. Amina urged the American people to
recognize human rights abuses in Pakistan perpetrated by
regimes allied to the U.S. Rule of Law requires, she noted,
that those who simply simply "disappeared" under Musharraf's
rule should be located and if there are charges against them,
they should be tried, or they should be freed.
Speaking on the same show, live, Dr. Kaukab Siddique said
that the condition of the "disappeared" is in some ways worse
than that of the Islamic prisoners in the hell hole known as
Guantanamo. Nothing is known of the condition of the
"disappeared," even whether they are alive or dead. He said
the new government in Islamabad run by the Peoples' Party is
simply another face of Washington's king making activities in
Pakistan. Nothing has changed. Peoples Party is not
interested in the rights of Pakistan's Islamic majority and
is linked to the brutal assault into Bajaur and Swat by
America's Pakistani General Kayani.
The "On with Leon" show can be heard SATURDAYS FROM 11:00 AM
ET - 1:00 PM ET ON XM SATELLITE RADIO CHANNEL 169
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's Children: Bush Could Face Criminal
Charges for this Act
Br. Rafe wrote from California: The children are
supposedly US citizens and their torture, rape and murder has
criminal ramifications even to the criminal Bush regime.
According to Sis. Linda [Texas], the names of the children
are: Ahmad, Marium and Suleman. Marium is now 9 years old.
The U.S. military kept Dr. Aafia and her children in secret
detention for half a decade. Then the U.S. announced that she
had been "found" wandering around in the Ghazni area of
Afghanistan. Very conveniently, according to the fabricated
U.S. story, she was carrying a bag full of plans to carry out
terrorist acts against the U.S.
Violated humanity is crying out: Dr. Aafia must be freed
unconditionally. Even by U.S,-Zionist standards, this
atrocity against a highly educated Islamic woman goes against
all pretense of Law.
Matrimonial Advertisement
27 year old Pakistani man, never married, college
graduate, high moral character, very religious, excellent
credentials plus sense of humor, wants to marry American
Muslimah, 20 to 30, any race, but must be practising Muslim.
Relatives in America will help set up the couple. Not a
marriage of convenience to get to USA. Only
serious inquiries.
Write care of: New Trend, P.O. Box 356, Kingsville, MD 21087
or email:
butshikan@msn.com
Our America: by New Trend's Media Monitor Almost
Indistinguishable Election Claims+ Hurricane destroys
Galveston, Damages Houston+ Economic Bottom Falling Out
The election campaign lighted up for a while when Sarah Palin
was nominated as MCcain's V.P. She looked refreshingly
different from the entire pack of White Republican male
"leaders." She drew from the Democratic party all the
possible variation of sexist commentary and snide remarks.
Many Americans admired her for being so much of a family
person and yet a forceful personality on her own right.
Strangely enough she fell right away into the Zionist-Jewish
cess pool controlled by Joseph Lieberman, an "Israel firster"
who has successfully infiltrated the Republican party.
The media scented blood and went howling after Sarah Palin
and soon her popularity tapered out.
Most probably Obama will win. He is surging ahead [September
24]. The Israeli lobby, as we pointed out, chose him before
the election show got on the road.
About the war, Obama wants withdrawal from Iraq to START 16
months after he comes into office. Instead he wants to heat
up the war in Afghanistan and to attack Pakistan. It is
indeed a betrayal of the young generation of Americans who
oppose the war. He is getting ready to send them into a
situation which will be worse than that of Iraq.
African Americans are the most enthused about Obama. Not
recognizing how tokenism is used in politics, they see the
election of Obama as proof that America has finally accepted
people of African descent. This illusion will probably last
for a year or so after he gets elected and will help the
power structure to rejuvenate itself.
The economy is being battered physically by hurricanes and
financially by white collar exploiters and looters. The
entire town of Galveston has been wiped out. Houston too
suffered quite a bit. Curfews were imposed. The lights are
still out in many of the stricken areas. Millions fled
their homes.
Then there is the sad face of America's biggest crook,
President Bush, announcing from every TV screen that the
economy is "going bust." Socialistic steps are being taken to
save capitalism.The American people are being made to bail
out the richest people who have looted the country. America
is certainly going down.
At the social level, homosexuality has been declared normal
and is now firmly embedded in the Zionist-Jewish media
programs, all the way from late night funnies to serious day
time shows. On "The View," one of the most popular TV
entertainment shows, immoral, adulterous and lesbian women
flaunt their lack of decency and are courted by both Obama
and McCain. [Did anyone notice that CAIN was the original
murderer, in the Bible? Qabil in Islamic literature.] Obama
refers to "Gay and Straight" in his speeches, a phrase
borrowed from the homosexual lobby now powerful enough to
require formal recognition by a presidential candidate.
Document
Father of Imam W.D. Muhammad's Young Wife Uncovers the
Corruption Among his Followers: The Charade Behind the
Funeral and Prayer Gatherings.
Claim that Islamic Marriage not Valid!+Wife Locked out+
Wallet Taken+ Imams at Funeral Lacked Guts to
Speak out.
[Text follows:]
Imam W. D. Mohammed: An indelible blot on his memory
and legacy?
18 Sep 2008
WITH ALLAH'S NAME THE MERCIFUL BENEFACTOR, THE
MERCIFUL REDEEMER
September 18, 2008
The following document is Part I of a two part press release
concerning the events that have transpired since the death
of Imam W. D. Mohammed.
Part 1 which has been released today, deals with the
history and chronology of events that took place immediately
following Imam Mohammed's death.
Part 2, which will be released for publication within 7
days, deals with the Presentation of legal papers, court
documents and fact sheets showing the true intent and
objective of Shirley Mohammed the divorced ex wife of Imam
Mohammed over the years as it relates to Imam W.D. Mohammed.
This release will provide legal documentation and transcripts
covering many years of legal maneuvering by Shirley Mohammed
that supports the fact that Shirley Mohammed's Motivations
have been and are all based on gaining access to material
goods and money with no respect whatsoever for Islam or
the Qur'an.
IMAM W. D. MOHAMMED:
AN INDELIBLE BLOT ON HIS MEMORY AND LEGACY?
BETRAYED BY HIS OWN BLOOD FAMILY?
Holy Qur'an 2:42 And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor
conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).
Holy Qur'an 2:217
They ask thee concerning fighting in the Prohibited Month.
Say: "fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it
in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah,
to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and
drive out its members." Tumult and oppression are worse
than slaughter.
Dear Believers, Muslims, associates, friends of our late
wonderful, excellent leader, brother, and friend,
Imam W. D. Mohammed.
I am writing this brief narrative in an attempt to help those
members of the community associated with Imam Mohammed and
the Muslim world in general to know and to understand--as
best as we can share--the events that transpired leading up
to Imam Mohammed's death and the deceptive schemes released
as a result of his death.
I am Muhammad Siddeeq, father of Imam Mohammed's present and
only wife Khadijah Siddeeq Mohammed and a close associate of
Imam Mohammed. I recognize that much that I will say is
sensitive, and I am pained that I must say these things;
however, I had to weigh the choice between giving you honest
factual information immediately--that we know to be the
truth--or allowing you to be deceived by some of Imam
Mohammed's children who are willing to compromise their
Islamic principles so that they can get access and control
over the monies, properties and treasures that you have
purchased, donated, or invested with him and the potential
charities sent to his wife as a result of his death.
I am writing this report because it became crystal clear to
me and anyone witnessing the terrible injustice perpetrated
on my daughter, that the Imams in Chicago and those partaking
in the events surrounding his death did not have the strength
to stand up and speak out against the un-Islamic behavior of
Laila Mohammed and those supporting her in trying to deceive
the world into believing that their mother, Shirley Mohammed
the divorced ex wife of Imam Mohammed, is the rightful wife
of Imam Mohammed. I knew that if they did not have the
courage to stand up to a blatant obvious misrepresentation of
the truth they would never have the courage to tell you the
true facts behind what has transpired in Imam Mohammed's
community since his death. These same so-called Imams stood
by and watched these conspirators, led by Laila Mohammed put
that lie into motion over, and over and over, that her mother
Shirley is the wife of Imam W. D. Mohammed and they stood by
and watched while shivering in their sandals, afraid to
challenge her or to make her tell the truth.
They also were aware that she had put Imam Mohammed's young,
faithful wife Khadijah out of her home and onto the street by
literally changing all of the locks in her home while she was
attending her brothers funeral in Atlanta Georgia. Still,
they stood by and said nothing. Now all of this was done so
that she (Laila) and those with her could start their money
grab from this commun ity and from any friends of Imam
Mohammed who would give to his widow during this difficult
time that she is going through and will face in the future.
It would not be fair, but it would be understood if these
greedy unprincipled people were in need of a home or money or
maintenance. But Imam Mohammed has provided for all of them
as well as their mother very generously. So what was their
motive? They knew that his wife was basically penniless
without any material possessions to call her own and they
also realized that the mantle of power, influence wealth and
fame was going to fall on her shoulder as a result of being
the bride of Imam Mohammed and they were not going to have
that, they were not going to sit by and allow Khadijah, his
wife to be the recipient of this when they believed that
their mother, Shirley the divorced ex wife of Imam Mohammed
should be the rightful heir of this potential windfall of
attention due to the death of Imam Mohammed. It was not that
they needed the money but their selfish and un-Islamic
appetites would not let them be just and fair. So they
concocted a lie and began to spin their scheme to present
their mother Shirley Imam Mohammed's divorced ex wife as the
Present wife of Imam Mohammed and this would give them access
to the existing treasures and properties and make them the
legitimate heirs to any monies or benefits offered to the
widow of Imam Mohammed. It was clear to me that you, his true
followers, friends and associates who have loved, trusted and
supported Imam Mohammed must be informed of the truth of what
transpired during that period. And it was also clear that
those Imams who also saw this scheme developing were too
cowardice to stand up and speak a word directly to the truth
so that you can protect your investments, our community our
sacred relationships with the international world and G-d
fearing people around the world, and so that you can
with-hold sending your charity to unworthy people.
We can never go forward with the excellent programs of Imam
W. D. Mohammed if the first step we take after the passing of
the most honorable human being this present day world has
ever known is rooted in lies and deception. This was not the
way of Imam Mohammed and is not the way of the true sincere
followers of his. I am not saying that we should let this
great community fall but what I am saying there should not be
one more penny sent into a situation that is full of
unprincipled people.
Before going any further it is imperative that I tell you
what Sister Laila told us was her reason for putting my
daughter out of her home and into the street the day that
Imam Mohammed died.She said that Khadijah Siddeeq Mohammed,
the wife of Imam Mohammed for the last 4 years was "ONLY" AN
ISLAMIC BRIDE AND THAT HER MOTHER SHIRLEY MOHAMMED WHOM IMAM
MOHAMMED HAD DIVORCED MANY YEARS AGO, WAS HIS "LEGAL WIFE".
SO IS SHE SAYING THAT SHE DOES NOT HONOR OR RESPECT ISLAM OR
IMAM MOHAMMED'S ISLAMIC MARRIAGE? And note she never dared to
spea k this way when Imam Mohammed was alive nevertheless act
on it. But once she knew he was gone all of this rancour
pours out of her.
If one accepts this reasoning then we should ask her the
question, "if you do not respect an Islamic marriage and that
Imam Mohammed and Khadijah were married Islamically then why
did you totally deprive Khadijah, his Islamic bride, from all
of the activities that transpired since his death which were
ALL ISLAMIC ACTIVITIES?" One would think that she would step
aside and let the Islamic bride participate in the Islamic
programs honoring Imam Mohammed and the so called Legal bride
partake in all the legal activities. On Friday under the
watchful eyes and supervision of Laila Mohammed the community
had Jummah Prayer. Is Jummah Prayer a legal event or an
Islamic event? It is clearly an Islamic event yet this was
controlled by the one advocating their involvemnt is based on
what is legal. Is a Janazza (Islamic Funeral service) a legal
event or an Islamic event? Again Shirley Mohammed, Imam
Mohammed's divorced ex-wife was given the front row star
position for the janazza. Did the "Legal" people from down
town Chicago in the social security office or the probate
court or the law offices of the state support the programs
put forth honoring Imam Mohammed? Did they pay for your
Limo's, provide a home for you , provide a car and money to
live off of? or were they Muslims of the Islamic faith that
supported these programs? So all of these events were Islamic
and were paid for with zakat (the giving of Charity) or
Sadaqa (alms giving) from the Islamic people and were held at
the sites donated by Islamic people. So what I am saying is
if Laila Mohammed is being truthful when she states that
Khadijah Siddeeq Mohammed's marriage was an Islamic
Marriage,( and it was) she should have stepped back out of
the way and not interfered in or with Imam Mohammed's Islamic
bride, Khadijah, properly partaking in the Islamic salute to
her late Islamic husband. But no, she did not do this. She
totally took charge of and co-opted the Islamic services
honoring her late father, perpetrated a scheme to put her
mother in position to be the beneficiary of all and any
possible charities that would come about due to Imam
Mohammed's passing and accepted all of the Islamic charities
given in the name of this Islamic Imam. Once she has
detoured every penny donated by the Islamic communities
around the world for the bride of Imam Mohammed, she will
then morph out of her Islamic regalia to put on her legal
attire to be sitting on the steps of the social security
office and the probate court when they make the legal check
ready. All of this is to make sure that she (Shirley Mohammed
the divorced ex-wife) gets and takes total control and charge
of ALL AND ANY monies, prestige or social considerations that
might come a s a benefit to the widow of Imam Mohammed. So
these terrible people did not and do not care what shame they
bring on this community as long as they can enrich themselves
by any means necessary.
When my daughter heard of her husbands passing and returned
home from Atlanta, she requested that the trustees of Imam
Mohammed's various accounts FREEZE THOSE ACCOUNTS; SHE
PERSONALLY CANCELED ALL CREDIT CARDS AND REQUESTED THAT THEY
NOT SPEND A DIME FROM ANY OF THOSE TREASURIES UNTIL THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS OF THE RESPECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS CAN COME
TOGETHER AND DETERMINE HOW TO MOVE FORWARD AS IMAM
MOHAMMED DESIRED.
I would like to say for the record that throughout this
entire ordeal not one Imam or officer came by the home of
Imam Mohammed and his wife Khadijah and brought as much as a
raisin, a date or a marshmallow. Not one flower was given her
except from the Focolare and her sister. Though we thank
those families who called and came by to offer moral support
to Khadijah during this very difficult time. However,
according to those who spoke to us about what transpired at
the home of those who fraudulently falsified their identity
to be the "widow of Imam Mohammed" their tables flowed and
their pockets were lined with much charity.
[To be continued. If you need the complete text right away,
let us know.]
Letter: Worked Closely with Islam's Enemies:
Reponse to Letters Against Criticism of W.D. Muhammad:
Looking at W.D. supporters' mosque in New York Re: Israel
As-Salaamu-'Alaikum Bro. Siddique,
I read the rebuttals to your article on Imam W.D. Muhammad. I
knew that certain points made in your editorial would be
viewed as controversial. Most people have an issue with
speaking ill of the dead, even with Imam W.D.'s shortcomings.
However, I saw it as a report on his policies leading up to
his death. I did not take the article as being written by
someone insensitive to African-American issues because the
focus was more on Islam the way Allah intended for us to
practice it vs. Imam W.D. Muhammad's form of Islam. I know
the issues that many African-American Muslims have with Imam
W.D. Muhammad's organizations because I am one of them and I
have witnessed others share their disappointments with you,
as well.
There is serious friction between immigrant Muslims and
African-American Muslims and it showed in some of the
rebuttals. I have my own issues with immigrant Muslims as I
do with any Muslim who is ignorant of the true concept of
Islamic brotherhood and holds onto erroneous beliefs of
nationalistic/tribal superiority to others. Some of these
attitudes are based on white supremacist lies told about us
to one another and for some it is just the arrogant
assumption that since they come from a Muslim country their
Islam is pure. None of these attitudes describes you at all!
I understand being forbidden to work with our enemies on any
level but, the problem is that American oppression is so
diabolically deceptive and subtle that completely rebuking it
or speaking against those who consort with the enemy on any
level is open to debate! I remember going into Malcolm
Shabazz Masjid in Harlem and seeing a sign welcoming those to
a dinner honoring zionists such as, Madeline Albright. Her
racist, anti-Islamic policies were responsible for so much
death and destruction in the Muslim World. I remember a
Sudanese brother's store being taken from him because he
questioned the morality of holding a jazz festival in that
very mosque. I, too, was reprimanded for handing out "Boycott
Israel" pamphlets after Jummah. Many Muslims have shared the
same experiences with Imam W.D. Muhammad's mosques!
While I do not believe that people themselves are good or
evil, I do believe that their actions can be judged as such
and I just don't see how Imam Muhammad's actions can be
labeled as honorable when he worked so closely with our
enemies. Yes, he did a great deal to inform Muslims about the
Sunnah, but he seemed to have strayed from the Sunnah and I
remember former followers questioning his
Republican-affiliations and pro-government actions when I
was younger.
This is the same confused logic people have used when
defending drug kingpins who provide forms of entertainment
and food, at certain times of the year, for the community.
However, this confused logic doesn't take into account that
these same criminals are amassing untold wealth at the
expense of their own community. What difference does a
handout to a few make when their primary business is turning
an even greater number of people into drug addicted zombies?
I am only referring to the logic. I am not insinuating that
Imam W.D. Muhammad was a criminal.
Sometimes, the good that one does can have less of an impact
than the negative things one does.
Salaam,
Sis. 'Aisha [New York City]
Letter: Race, Islam and W.D. Muhammad: Response to the
Contention that an African-American should not be criticized
by a non-African American
Assalamu Alaikum Wa'Rahmatullah Wa'Barakatuhu,
Brother Siddique,
I still maintain that your article on the Late W.D. Muhammad
was extremely informative, and a source of awareness for
Muslims worldwide. I can see how this article could ruffle
some feathers, especially since it arrives right amidst the
grieving process of so many of his followers. Yet, Allah
(Subhanahu Wa'Taala) instructs us to have faith and always
side with the truth, regardless of how painful this may
personally be. I remember reading the article, and I also
remember it mentioning both his good works, and his less
fortunate endeavors. The article stated clearly that although
his works of years ago were commendable, however his actions
in the past 3 decades may not have been as commendable.
Have we become so emulating of our Muslim leaders that we can
no longer accept that they may be have made mistakes, or had
lapses in judgement? The ONLY man who we should allow
ourselves to emulate without question is the Prophet Muhammad
(may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) -- and no one
else. And taking this into consideration, I as a reader of
New Trend Mag can accept that although W.D. Muhammed was an
influential Muslim leader, he may have been lacking in some
of the aspects of his social stature. Also, I find it
appalling that so many are quick to judge the intentions
behind the article based on "race". I did not find the
article racially insensitive. And to mention that you are
unable to judge the leader merely because you are not
"African-American" is in itself insensitive. The late W.D.
Muhammad was a Muslim leader who happened to be African
American -- his race a SECONDARY factor to his Deen/Imaan;
therefore once he assumes the position of leadership, he
falls under scrutiny of ALL Muslims, and this scrutiny is not
just limited to African Americans.
We, as Muslims, are one race and one nation! And our actions
ought to reflect that. Jazak'Allah Khair for your efforts.
Sincerely,
Sis.Hira [Los Angeles]
Growing Evidence that Members of the Shi'ite Sect are
generously helping war effort Against Islamic Forces
First Lt. Mohsin Naqvi died on Sept. 17, 2008 while on patrol
in Afghanistan
A US Army honor guard carries the casket of 1st Lt.
Mohsin Naqvi, a native of Pakistan, into the al-Fatima
Islamic Center in Colonie, N.Y., Monday, Sept. 22, 2008-AP
Masaud Khan's Mother Speaks: The Agony of an American
Muslimah. A Crime Against Humanity
[Originally delivered by Sis Bilqis at Jamaat al-Muslimeen's
International Peace Conference, August 16.]
In 2004 John Ashcroft, then Attorney General, prepared to
present himself at the U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria in order
to give a televised victory speech of his success in
capturing and sentencing the "most dangerous terrorists since
9/11 2001." Their case came to be known as the Virginia Jihad
Paintball Case. These "terrorists'' were Hamaad AbdurRaheem,
Seifullah Chapman and Masaud Khan, all of whom were
natural-born Americans with no prior criminal records, who
had refused to cooperate with the government and who stated
their innocence of the charges against them. I am the Mother
of Masaud Khan.
These men were convicted on conspiracy and intentions; there
were no supporting witnesses other than their parents and
wives. They were not to be accorded a jury trial; Masaud was
advised by his lawyer not to speak on his own behalf. The
government called many expert witnesses but the most damaging
were those who cooperated with the government – the plea
bargainers – the defendants who testified against their
Muslim brothers so as to cast doubt on Masaud, Seifullah
and Hamaad.
My son, Masaud, is now a political prisoner with a sentence
of Life in Prison + 45 years without parole. He is 37 years.
In May 2003 my home was raided by the FBI and on that same
morning six other homes were also raided. This appeared to be
a massive effort on the part of the government to search
homes of Muslims and find evidence against them. The US had
lost the World Trade buildings and 3,000 lives in 2001 and it
was determined that it would never happen again. Muslims
became the target. Muslims are still the target.
I cannot describe fully the terror of an FBI raid. There was
pounding at the door at 6 am and as Masaud went to the door,
it was pushed in with agents pointing guns at us. Our
entire house was surrounded by agents and the street was
blocked off. The neighbors were in shock. My son,
daughter-in-law, their 4 month old son and I were placed at
the dining table at gunpoint for 7 hours. We were
interrogated and the house was searched from top
to bottom. Masaud, however, was confident that the FBI
would find nothing in our house to implicate him in any sort
of crime and he advised me not to worry and be calm. One
Agent advised me to convince my son to talk to them and
confess. I replied that he had done nothing wrong and asked
to which crime he should confess? He replied again that I
needed to tell him to confess and that he would then receive
a short sentence of a few years in prison, but that if he
refused to confess, then I would lose my son and he would
spend the rest of his life in jail. He advised me to hire a
lawyer. Oddly enough, this agent wore an Israeli flag on
his lapel.
We were questioned about Masaud's visit to Pakistan in 2001
and his purpose for going there. Masaud's father had passed
away in 1992 and Masaud and I had travelled on separate
occasions to process the estate documents with the High Court
of Karachi. The Estate documents were very involved and at
times notarized and certified papers needed to be presented
in court. In July of 2001 my children and I began the process
of taking another trip at the request of the High Court. My
other children were not available to go and Masaud's new wife
and child were living with me. I asked Masaud therefore to go
and appear in court with the original Succession Certificate,
and Masaud took a leave of absence from his new job in order
to do so.
The impact of that FBI raid haunts me to this day as I saw
another side of my America that I did not know existed. I did
retain a lawyer on May 10, 2003 and my son confidently
continued to go to work and college. Six weeks later,
however, the same pounding on the door occurred at 6 am and I
shuddered and cried out because I knew why they were there.
My retained lawyer had not been notified. The very same
Agents came into the house and Fox News, CNN and other camera
crews were in the street outside our house. They placed my
son under arrest, handcuffed him and refused to cover his
face and head because, of course, they wanted this arrest of
a bearded Muslim man to be on camera and in the news for the
public viewers.
Thus began a nightmare of events that continue to this day
and changed our lives forever. This case called the
Virginia-11 Paintball case began in 2003 and the US
Government attempted to link eleven defendants so as to
prove a terrorist cell existed; however, it was unable to do
so. The charges against them included conspiring against a
friendly nation (India) in the Kashmir/India on-going
conflict (called violation of the Neutrality Act), by
visiting an L.E.T. community and camp. Masaud's refusal to
plead guilty and speak against other Muslims led to a 2nd
Indictment accusing him of conspiracy against the United
States and other unproven charges.
A series of lawyers were contacted to handle the defense; and
I found most of them completely beyond my ability to pay.
With the help of the Muslim community, fundraising and
donations, attorneys were selected and paid to handle the
trial of Masaud, Seifullah and Hamaad in 2004. The trial
lasted 8 days as a bench trial with no jury trial or
witnesses. The men were convicted by other defendants who
plea-bargained and testified against them in order to receive
lighter sentences for themselves. Muslims testified against
Muslims. Masaud was acquitted of some counts, but still ended
with a sentence of Life + 65 years – a sentence that even the
Judge called "abysmal" and "draconian". We filed an appeal as
is the custom, which was also denied. We then filed a
Petition to the Supreme Court asking it to hear the case, and
this was also rejected.
My oldest son and I travel to Indiana nowadays to visit with
Masaud every 6-8 weeks. We are allowed a visit of 4 hours.
Masaud sits behind a glass and we speak with him by telephone
as though he has been convicted of murder. I cannot hug my
son. He cannot play with and hold his own son. He is allowed
one 15-minute phone call a week to call his family. It is
unbelievably frustrating to have the phone just cut off with
a few beeps and he is gone.
Masaud has now filed a Petition for Habeas Corpus. Masaud's
own words will be written in a document and sent to court. We
have hired a new lawyer for this procedure. We pray Masaud
will be granted a new hearing by the will of Allah.
Brothers and Sisters, the Muslim community needs to realize
they cannot exist in fear and must be strong and united. We
need Muslim lawyers and professionals who have the courage to
stand up to oppression; we need Muslim lawyers who understand
the cultural and religious background of their defendants.
The lawyers we chose for Masaud did their best to defend him
and I am thankful for their efforts, but at every turn I saw
puzzlement and a lack of understanding of Islam and its
people and culture.
Masaud is strong in his eeman. He told me "Mom, I am
here because Allah chose for me to be here at this time.
There is a purpose in this for me. I would never have come to
know my Allah as I have now without having been incarcerated
and enduring this experience. Everything that happens is for
the best, so don't be sad. Be strong and continue to pray for
me. Give my salaams to all the brothers and sisters and ask
them to pray for all the Muslims who are suffering. I bow
before my Allah and accept what He has ordained until He is
ready to release me."
Thank you.
WAR NEWS: Pakistan: Marriott Hotel Blown up in Islamabad
Ramadan: Month of bombing. Pakistani military claiming
Victory. 700 killed, 400,000 made homeless in Bajaur. People
in Swat Rally Against Military Action
September 26, 2008: New Trend's observers in Pakistan say
that the Pakistani military broke its promise to cease fire
during the holy month of Ramadan. The military, armed, funded
and in some cases trained by the U.S. threw all it had
against the Islamic populations of Bajaur and to a lesser
extent in Swat and Darra Adam Khel. Tanks, heavy artillery
and helicopter gunships were used against villages supporting
the Islamic resistance. Finally the military threw its
fighter jets into action. The result has been large scale
suffering in the civilian populations. Displacement of
civilians comparable to that during the Soviet occupation of
Afghanistan has taken place. The figures of people in hastily
put up refugee camps is 400,000 for Bajaur [growing on a
daily basis]. In Swat nearly 500,000 were displaced but here
the government has tried to help and given some compensation.
Groups which don't fight the military, such as Jamaate Islami
and Jamaat ad-Da'wa have come in to help these
"internal" refugees.
General Kayani, the made-in-America commander of Pakistani
forces is claiming victory. The military says it has killed
700 "miscreants" in Bajaur alone. Villagers and local
reporters say that most of those killed are civilians though
scores of Pakistani Taliban have been killed. Kayani changed
military tactics. Instead of sending in his troops, which
faced defeat at the hands of the Islamic resistance, he made
round the clock use of heavy artillery, advancing tank fire,
helicopter gunships and finally jet fighters. It seems to be
working because this time Kayani's forces suffered very
little and the population base of the Pak Taliban
was displaced.
The Pakistani Peoples Party [PPP] hailed the military
operation through Mr. Malik, its Interior Minister. He
boasted that the "operation" will continue till the
"militants" are wiped out.
ISLAMIC RESPONSE: News reports indicate that the Pak
Taliban evaded the severe bombardment of their strongholds
and have withdrawn deeper into the mountains in good order.
They have launched several successful martyrdom operations
against the Pakistani army. They are also trying to hit
targets in the Pakistani hinterland to bring the war to the
army's support base. The most spectacular of these attacks
was on the American hotel known as the Marriott located
in the center of Islamabad.
September 20: The attack on the Marriott was a typical
al-Qaida style one-two punch. Two martyrdom operators
seem to have led the attack. The hotel was heavily guarded as
it is known as the meeting place of Pakistani elites as well
as western officials and military-intelligence agents. Four
different iftar parties were going on simultaniously when the
attack occurred. Iftar parties are the vogue among rich
Pakistanis many of whom don't fast.By contrast, most
Pakistanis do not get to eat meat and prices of basic foods
have gone up steeply across the country.
The first attacker is said to have struck the heavily guarded
entrance. As the police gathered around, the second martyrdom
operator with a truck load of explosives broke in and caused
a massive blast which was heard miles away. Parts of the
hotel were obliterated. Scores of late model cars as well as
police vehicles went up in flames. Pakistan is admitting 53
killed and 200 wounded. The actual count may be much higher.
Among the identified dead are the Czech ambassador and a
diplomat from Denmark. U.S. losses have not been fully
revealed but two marines and a major in the military were
reported killed. A dozen police officers and 8 security
guards of the hotel too were killed. The rest are said to be
well to do Pakistani elites.
Al-Qaida's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri had issued a statement on
9.11 which was suppressed by U.S. intelligence from appearing
on Al-Qaida web sites around the globe for six days but
finally did appear.
September 22: In Swat, a martyrdom operator hit a
military check point near Maidan rest house and killed
9 troops. Earlier, on September 16, Taliban ambush using a
car bomb and rockets killed 3 Frontier Corp troopers and
wounded 6 in the Kabal area of Swat In the Allahabad area, a
helicopter gunship killed a mother and her children Curfew
was imposed as hundreds of people came out to protest the
helicopter attack.
September 23: Pakistani security forces opened fire to
crush peaceful protestors at Nishat Chowk area of Mingora
[Swat]. At least 5 civilians were killed and scores injured
in the firing. The protestors in large numbers defied the
curfew and demanded that military operations in Swat be ended
and curfew be lifted. They say that the military has killed
large numbers of civilians and that Shi'ite troops are being
used in Swat. The protestors blocked the roads and when
police killed 5 of them, they were inflamed and set fire to a
bank in the Green Chowk area.
September 23-24: In the Darra Adam Khel area
Pakistani security forces used helicopter gunships and heavy
artillery to pound "miscreants" and reportedly killed 50
people. Here the poorly armed Islamic resistance is on the
retreat and their villages are being demolished.
AFGHANISTAN: Heavy Fighting. U.S. Forces
Under Attack
September 6 to September 24: Taliban fighters appear to have
pinned down elite American troops in a wide arc stretching
across southern Afghanistan. In numerous pin prick attacks,
Taliban in small groups attacked and retreated, attacked and
retreated, again and again, leaving American forces huddling
in heavily entrenched positions. The nights are becoming
fearsome as Americans fire on shadowy Islamic fighters who
then reappear from another direction.
The Pentagon admitted 22 American troops killed in these
small actions over 18 days. [Source FOX TV and CNN.]
On September 23 and 24, Reuters reported that the Taliban
carried out a series of attacks on Karzai's last stronghold,
KABUL city itself. Three senior Karzai police officers was
killed in one of these attacks. Then another three police
officers investigating the first attack were killed in a
second attack. Among the wounded is Ali Shah Paktiawal, a
senior police officer known for torture of Taliban prisoners
[said to be Shi'ite].
2008-09-27 Sat 18:01:26 cdt
NewTrendMag.org