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18 December 2010 By El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan Assalaamu Alaikum (Greetings of
Peace): As a matter of urgency my
conscience requires that I respond to an official
release of the ADAMS Center that was forwarded to me
earlier today. In all honesty, I've been planning to
write this commentary for some time now - ever since
I read
The Washington Post article
of about a month ago, in the aftermath of the alleged
terrorist conspiracy targeting the DC area Metro
system. Yesterday's release from the
ADAMS Center (below) reminded me of the need to
complete the analysis that was already in the works,
and of the urgency
of that much needed analysis
and internal criticism. With that said, I invite our
readers to reflect deeply over the ADAMS
Center statement below, take a deep breath (maybe get
up to make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, or get a
glass of juice or water); and then come back to read
and reflect over the point-by-point analysis/criticism
that follows. (And please know that I
sincerely welcome any and all constructive criticism
directed my way.) - The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) and the entire Muslim community of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area are outraged by the news of an individual being involved in a attempted plot to attack the Armed Forces Recruitment Station in Catonsville, MD. ADAMS and all its members vehemently condemn terrorism and extremism in all forms. We commend and congratulate the law enforcement agencies for arresting the alleged perpetrator, Antonio Martinez, and for preventing the plot to attack this government facility. We are pleased to see reports that someone in the community alerted the FBI about Antonio Martinez. Please note that in recent cases of potential terrorist activity, it was members of the Muslim community who alerted authorities to the presence of such a threat. We call for a swift investigation and trial. We call for a maximum penalty against this or any other individuals if they are found guilty and convicted of such heinous crimes. ADAMS urges anyone aware of this person's activities or any suspicious activities in general to come forward and contact law enforcement immediately at the FBI Washington Field Office (WFO) at (202) 324-3000. Several thousand Muslim men and women faithfully serve in the United States military, including ADAMS community members who have served honorably and loyally. Two of our community members who served in the US Military were killed in action in Iraq. ADAMS held funeral services for them and they were buried in Arlington Cemetery. We appreciate their service, as well as the service of all dedicated volunteers committed to our country. We remind Americans of every faith that Islam holds the human soul in highest esteem, and considers an attack on innocent human beings as a sin of the gravest magnitude. ADAMS has always been clear and very forthright in our position that those who commit acts of terror, murder, and cruelty in the name of Islam not only destroy innocent lives, but also betray the core values of the faith they so falsely claim to represent. The Holy Qur'an makes it clear that attacks on, or even injustice done to, Muslims can never justify the massacre of innocent people, and acts of terror can never serve the cause of Islam. We therefore repudiate and dissociate ourselves, and the entire Muslim Community in Virginia and throughout the United States, from any misguided, fanatical, or mentally unbalanced individuals who commit or even simply plan such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority of brutal miscreants acting outside the teachings of both the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). For several years, ADAMS has served on the American Muslim Sikh Advisory Committee to the FBI Washington Field Office (WFO). We have always encouraged open dialogue and cooperation from the Muslim community with law enforcement in order to protect our nation and to protect individual civil rights. ADAMS has hosted several Town Hall meetings with the FBI WFO at our mosque, and we have had many advisory sessions with the WFO Director and Field Agents where we have shared our mutual concerns and explored ways of strengthening our cooperation. ADAMS has a variety of ongoing projects, activities, sermons, and educational programs to work with our youth and our entire community to prevent extremism. Our community hosts and participates in a wide range of community service activities, peace-building events, interfaith events, and Scouting activities designed to engage our youth in productive citizenship activities. We make every possible effort to keep our community focused on positive ways to contribute to this great nation. All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), a nonprofit 501c(3) organization, is one of the largest Muslim communities/mosques in the DC Metro Area and in the United States. ADAMS serves over 5000 families with nine branches in Virginia/DC - (Sterling/Herndon, Tysons Corner, Fairfax, Reston, Ashburn/Leesburg, South Riding, Gainesville, Crystal City, and Washington DC). ADAMS is governed by a thirteen-member democratically elected board of trustees comprising men and women, and engages in regular interfaith, government relations, social services, and community service. ADAMS has one of the largest Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Girl Scout programs in the DC Metro area. ANALYSIS ON ISSUES RAISED 1. The first mistake made by whoever drafted this statement, is one that politicians (from both parties) make all of the time; presuming to speak for "the American people." In this case, ADAMS presumes to speak for "the entire Muslim community of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area." In the position that ADAMS has taken in this particular matter, it does not. 2. The second mistake is in commending and congratulating law enforcement agencies before all the facts are in; particularly given the FBI's track record of using agents-provocateurs to manufacture "conspiracies." 3. The third mistake that ADAMS has made is to aid in the cultivation of a culture of suspicion within the Muslim community; and causing members of their own community to believe they are fulfilling their patriotic duty (to America) by harboring a suspicious nature, and serving as the defacto eyes and ears of law enforcement. Muslims should NOT be quick to pick up the phone to call the FBI on a fellow Muslim. This should be the absolute LAST resort (after everything else has been attempted and failed) in a case where a Muslim genuinely believes violence may be imminent! 4. The fourth mistake in this misguided release is in calling for the "maximum penalty" for this obviously disturbed and misguided young man (if what has been alleged is true). Is ADAMS aware of what the "maximum penalty" is? Despite the fact that this was an aspirational offense, and no one was hurt, if past is prologue, this 21 year old brother will face LIFE IMPRISONMENT (without the possibility of parole)! I'm going to give my brethren at ADAMS the benefit of the doubt, and presume that they are ignorant as to what the "maximum penalty" is. I'm also going to advise that they break away from their lofty offices, from time to time, and visit a federal courthouse or two (and monitor a few of these cases). It may deepen the well of empathy, and curb a few reactionary tendencies. 5. The fifth mistake is in conveying the message that it is somehow noble for Muslim men and women to "faithfully serve in the United States military." Given all of the lies, distortions and demonic manipulations which now has the USA embroiled in full scale wars in two Muslim countries, and involved in deadly ongoing skirmishes in a number of other Muslim countries - how could any responsible Muslim promote such insanity? I feel for the souls of all of the men and women (esp Muslims) who are killing and dying in these unjust wars! As we all should. Our commitment to our faith, and to truth, justice, and the preservation of ALL LIFE, trumps any commitment we have to "country" - i.e. nationalism! 6. The sixth mistake revolves around our penchant for referencing Islam (i.e. Qur'an and Sunnah) when it suits us, but ignoring fundamental precepts when it doesn't; and so often being selective in our outrage. We claim to be against ALL acts of terrorism, while our government commits acts terrorism everyday and most of us say nothing! We are eloquent when speaking of the sin of taking innocent life, except of course when the innocent life is that of oppressed Muslims in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Palestine or Kashmir. When the bombs are raining down on the heads of Muslims (from the fighter planes or the warships of the US, NATO or Israel) a large part of our eloquence and outrage goes into hibernation. While this writer absolutely agrees with the premise that the terror and brutality visited upon Muslims (in America and other parts of the world) can never justify Muslims lashing out at innocent non-Muslims in kind, I would also argue (in the same breath) that the size and power of the oppressor can never justify silence from a committed Muslim, or even worse, complicity! 7. The seventh mistake of ADAMS is serving on the Advisory Committee to the FBI Washington Field Office (WFO). Given the FBI's long, regrettable track record in the Muslim community, Muslims serving in any advisory capacity is nothing to boast about (in my humble view). While ADAMS operates under the illusion of helping to "protect our nation and to protect individual civil rights," the human rights of Muslims are being trampled under foot on a daily basis (both here and abroad), and the Bill Of Rights - the heart and soul of the U.S. Constitution (for ALL Americans) - is being eviscerated with each passing day! 8. The eighth mistake revolves around ADAMS' assortment of programs supposedly designed "to prevent extremism." While many of these programs do indeed serve a positive end, at the end of the day, where it pertains to the threat of radicalization, they are just as inconsequential as most like-minded programs throughout Muslim America. Why? Because they ignore hardcore realities; (b) fail to address the legitimate needs and concerns of the most vulnerable segments of the Muslim-American population; (c) and seek to isolate and ostracize the very Muslims in the community who would be most effective in addressing this growing problem. On a final note I want to share something else that just came to my attention. The Muslim Public Affairs Council released their own statement in response to this latest "terrorist plot." The final paragraphs of their statement warrant deep reflection (and I congratulate MPAC for making this needed observation): ...Going beyond asking communities to identify violent extremists, we believe there needs to be a partnership to help communities intervene earlier in the radicalization process and help rehabilitate troubled individuals. If communities were able to address these issues proactively, tension with law enforcement would be greatly minimized. These cases could be prevented in an early stage without sending another person to jail and creating a media circus that harms all of our communities and feeds negative perceptions of Islam and Muslims. In short, there needs to be a shift in emphasis, both in discourse and action, from relying solely on proactive police investigations to making greater use of proactive community interventions. As one of our nation's Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." - MPAC News & Views release of 12/10/10 ("When It Comes to Violent Extremism, An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure") I couldn't agree more! This is the lesson (and message) that ADAMS - and other masajid and centers, and Muslim advocacy organizations - should be conveying from coast to coast! In the struggle for peace thru justice, To be continued (insha'Allah)... |
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