Ali
al-Marri's Statement In Court: American Imperialist Last
US Enemy Combatant
4 November 2009By
Peoria Star
Ali al-Marri,
who was held as an "enemy combatant" on the US
mainland for five years and eight months without
charge or trial, was finally sentenced in a federal
court last Thursday (as discussed in an article here),
and he made the following statement in court, which I
believe is worth reproducing in full:
Ali al-Marri's statement
In the name of Allah, all praise to Allah, end peace
and prayers of Allah be upon his last messenger
Muhammad, the messenger of mercy.
Judge Mihm, peace be upon those who follow the
guidance. I would like to start by saying that I have
been waiting for this day for the last 2,880 days or
the last 8 years.
Judge Mihm, I am glad I have no blood on my hand and
my assistance did not cause any bloodshed or lead to
that either, nor would I have ever agreed to that and
I will never agree to that in the future, but I am
sorry for providing assistance for those who would do
this country harm.
Judge Mihm, all of my captors know that I speak my
mind be it in religion, politics or personal issues.
And you have heard [from] some of the American people
who were responsible for detaining me that I was never
violent or expressed a desire to harm them or any
American people.
My religious beliefs — refined through years of
thoughtful prayer and study during my incarceration —
I realize prohibit me from engaging in violence toward
any man. I forcefully reject any sort of violence for
religious, political or other reasons. I say this to
the court and I also state this to the representatives
of my country who are present with us today. I know
that the news people are here so I know my word will
be received by those with whom I associated with in
2001. You have my word.
I had to make my position clear when I spoke to [US
Attorney David] Risley and the FBI before entering my
guilty plea. At that time I was not under threat or
abuse and I spoke the truth about my activities.
As you have seen pictures of my kids when I left them
eight years ago and their recent pictures, missing all
of those years, missing hearing the first words of my
youngest child, missing the crying of not wanting to
go to school, missing solving their problems with kids
in the schools or in the neighborhood, missing their
smile and laughter of buying them toys, or new things,
missing not being there to take care, protect, and
provide as fathers do. Missing all of that and all of
the father-kids' activities is more than enough
punishment. My 80-year-old mother, 5 kids, wife, 7
brothers, 4 sisters, more than 70 nephews and nieces
and about 12 grandchildren (from my nephews and
nieces) are being punished too of no fault of theirs,
rather mine. And I said more than and about because it
has been 8 years since I have been away from them.
Even though I am a changed person from the 2001 al-Marri,
I hope you would look with an eye of mercy on me
today, but if not, Judge Mihm, have mercy on the
80-year-old who tells me her wish is to see me before
she passes away. I have already lost my father during
my incarceration, it will be unimaginable to lose both
of my parents without being there for them or saying
good bye. Judge Mihm, have mercy on the wife who chose
to wait for her 8 years imprisoned husband rather than
going on with her life even after I asked her to but
[she] refused and chose to wait. Judge Mihm, have
mercy on the suckling infants who have never seen me,
they only know me by name.
Judge Mihm, have mercy on my American family, my
brother and sister Andy and Cheryl Savage who cried
yesterday when they read this letter which was one of
the hardest things because I am causing pain and hurt
to my family whom I would give my life for but it is
out of my hand to alleviate their pain, Judge Mihm, I
am helpless to alleviate their pain, but you are not.
Judge Mihm, have mercy on all of them by sending me
home to my Arabian family accompanied by my American
family by giving me a time served sentence.
Before I finish my statement, I would like to give all
praise and thanks to my Lord Allah, the Lord of all
Lords for the support he gave me, and still giving and
hope will continue. And I would like to thank my
government who stood by me and my family during this
ordeal.
And I would like to thank all of the American people
who dealt with me humanely and kindly during my
incarceration, and Judge Mihm, as Allah and this court
are my witness, I forgive all who harmed and caused me
pain. And I would like to [add to] that my legal team
(Larry, Mark, John, Lee, and the behind the scene
heroes Jenny, Eileen, Alex, Bobby, and Heather) who I
believe has done an excellent job. And remember what I
said in our first meeting, my opinion of you will not
be affected by the ruling of the court as it is not in
your hands as long as you prepare well for the case.
And it is beyond any doubt that you have done [so]
with an utmost excellence.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my American
family where it is an honor to call them my brother
and sister, Andy and Cheryl Savage, who are also part
of my legal team. You have changed my perception of
the American people's generosity, kindness and their
culture fundamentally, to the better of course. I will
never do anything to harm the American people. And I
will still name my future son and daughter after you —
as I promised before — if Allah blesses me with more
children. I pray to Allah to assist me in showing you
how much I appreciate your help, and I say show you my
appreciation and not repay you, because I do not
believe it is possible to repay you – monetary or
otherwise — for what you have done for me, it is as
trying to reach the stars with my hands. However I
will pray — and always will — to the one who can, may
Allah reward you as best as he rewarded any of his
servants and make you, I and our loved ones to follow
the right path that will lead us all to an eternity of
life together in paradise in the afterlife. Amen.
I would like to remind myself first, then my love on
that if today's Judgment is favorable, it is from the
generosity of all Generous and Merciful Allah, then
the fairness of Judge Mihm, and the excellence of my
legal team led by Mr. Andy Savage and Mr. Larry
Lustberg, and if not, it is due only to my sins. I
advise myself and my loved ones to accept Allah's
Judgment and be patient. As Allah has said in the
Quran, "It may be that you dislike a thing which is
good for you and that you like a thing which is bad
for you, Allah knows but you do not know."
Finally, glorified is your Lord, the Lord of Honor and
power he is free from what they attribute unto him.
And peace be on the messengers. And all praise and
thanks are to Allah, lord of the mankind and all that
exist. (37:180 -182)
Note: This statement was originally published in the
Peoria Star.
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EsinIslam.Com
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