Muslim American News Briefs, October 24, 2007

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once told a newly-appointed official: "Fear the cry of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and God."

GIULIANI ADVISOR SUPPORTS TERROR GROUP - TOP
MEK supporter Daniel Pipes is also 'Islamo-Fascism' week speaker

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/24/2007) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today called on Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani to drop a campaign advisor who offers rhetorical support to a group designated as "terrorist" by the U.S. government.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Daniel Pipes, who recently signed on to Giuliani's campaign as a foreign policy advisor, is a vocal supporter of the terror group Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK). Earlier this year, Pipes even participated in a foreign rally for MEK leader Maryam Rajavi.

MEK has been designated as a "foreign terrorist organization" since 1997. In 2003, that designation was amended to include the group's aliases - the National Council of Resistance (NCR) and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

Pipes, who is regarded by Muslims and other observers as one of America's leading Islamophobes, also has a long history of hostility to the American Muslim community and to the protection of civil liberties.

In 2001, Pipes claimed the "presence" and "enfranchisement" of American Muslims present "true dangers to American Jews." He recently renewed a call to "raze" Palestinian villages from which anti-Israeli attacks are launched.

In 2004, Pipes said he supported the widely-repudiated internment of Japanese-Americans. He wrote: "Yes, I do support the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II." Pipes has also stated that the views of far-right French racist Jean-Marie Le Pen "represent an important outlook in the national debate over immigration and Islam." He supports racial and religious profiling of Muslims and Arabs.

Pipes is currently a featured speaker for a series of "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" lectures at university campuses nationwide. Other speakers on that lecture tour include Islamophobes such as Robert Spencer and Ann Coulter.

Spencer recently offered a keynote address at a European gathering that included representatives of racist or "neo-Nazi" political parties. Coulter has referred to Muslims as "rag heads" and recommended that the United States invade Muslim countries, kill their leaders and convert everyone to Christianity. She recently caused outrage in the Jewish community for comments viewed as anti-Semitic.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787 or 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

1. CONTACT Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani and urge him to drop Daniel Pipes as a campaign advisor because of extremist and Islamophobic views and comments.

Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee
295 Greenwich St, #371
New York, NY 10007
212-835-9449
E-Mail: webteam@joinrudy2008.com

WI: HOROWITZ SPINS 'FACTS' AIMLESSLY - TOP
Kyle Szarzynski, Badger Herald, 10/24/07

After listening to David Horowitz's comical speech Monday at the Memorial Union Theatre, I did not feel, as might have been expected, anger or disgust. Instead, his appearance — part of the nationwide "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" — elicited a sense of absurdity.

Throughout the evening, the ex-Trotskyist Mr. Horowitz did his pathetic best to convey, well, whatever it was he was trying to convey. He contradicted himself, called the audience "crazy" and "stupid," and seemed perpetually flustered by an inability to articulate his thoughts. It was almost immediately evident that his ill-conceived message would be lost on any thinking person. (READ MORE)

PA: AUDIENCE CHALLENGES SANTORUM ADDRESS - TOP
Margaret Miceli, Daily Collegian, 10/24/07

Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum said he wants to hear from people who disagree with him -- and there was no shortage of them during a speech he gave on campus last night.

Students packed 119 Osmond to hear Santorum speak as part of "Islamo-Facism Awareness Week," an event aiming to expose the danger that radical Islam poses to the West. The week has been met with protest from the Muslim Student Association, who announced a "Peace Not Prejudice" seminar series to counter the movement.

Santorum began his speech by acknowledging that some are offended by the term "Islamo-Facism," but said it is misunderstood.

"What that term does is describe an ideology," he said. "You either subscribe to it or you do not."

However, the audience was not pacified by Santorum's statement. Even during the former senator's 45-minute speech, the crowd could not stay quiet, interjecting questions and corrections throughout.

When Santorum, explaining why Islam and Christianity both claim exclusivity, said "Muhammad is the only prophet" in Islam, the crowd grew restless.

"I apologize for the slight exaggeration," Santorum said over the cheers and applause of the audience.

Few questions were asked during the question-and-answer period, with many simply stating their views as the crowd voiced its approval.

One audience member began by thanking Santorum "for coming to our campus to spew hatred and intolerance."

In response to Santorum's assertion that Islam oppresses women, the speaker urged students to ask Muslims for their opinions.

"There are many Muslims in the audience tonight ... ask any Muslim lady sitting next to you and you will know what Muslim women think," he said.

A Penn State professor took issue with the impact Islamo-Facism awareness week might have on students.

"I think you have done some harm even before you came in here tonight," the professor said to Santorum, referencing a large "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" banner that hung outside. "How do you think that has misled students tonight?" (READ MORE)

Registration is now available online for CAIR's 13th Annual Banquet, with the theme "Let the Conversation Begin," to be held Saturday, November 17, in Arlington, Virginia. Note that in past years, CAIR dinners have been sold-out events, so purchase your tickets TODAY.

CAIR seeks the help of community members to coordinate the preparations for our annual banquet on Saturday, November 17, 2007, in Arlington, Va. The participation of volunteers has greatly contributed to the success of past CAIR events.

If you would like to volunteer to help organize this important event, please call (202) 488-8787 or e-mail events@cair.com

CAIR: OKLA. LAWMAKERS RETURN QURANS - TOP
Ron Jenkins, Associated Press, 10/24/07

Several Oklahoma lawmakers plan to return copies of the Quran to a state panel on diversity after a lawmaker claimed the Muslim holy book condones the killing of innocent people.

The books were given to Oklahoma's 149 senators and representatives by the Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council.

"Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology," Duncan said.

Duncan, a Republican, expressed his feelings Monday in a letter to colleagues. At least 17 legislators have notified the panel they will return the gift.

Marjaneh Seirafi-Pour, chairwoman of the council and a Muslim, denounced Duncan's assessment of Islam.

"I know he referred to Islam as an ideology. That is not a fact. It is a religion. It is very peaceful, very inclusive," Seirafi-Pour said.

In Washington, spokesman Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Duncan's statement is "disturbing" and "offensive" to Muslims.

"It just points to the amount of education about Islam and the American Muslim community that is needed in all levels in our society, including elected officials," Hooper said. (READ MORE)

MARTIN, OTHER LAWMAKERS REFUSE COPIES OF QURAN - TOP
M. Scott Carter, Norman Transcript, 10/24/07

Saying he had no "spiritual or scholarly need" for it, Norman state Rep. Scott Martin confirmed Tuesday that he refused a copy of the Quran, the Muslim world's holy book.

On Monday, a "Centennial" copy of the Quran was offered to all members of the Oklahoma Legislature from the Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council. And while many lawmakers accepted the book, at least eight legislators refused the gift, citing religious reasons.

Martin, a Republican, joined at least five other state representatives and two state senators - David Derby of Owasso, Guy Liebmann of Oklahoma City, Mark McCullough of Sapulpa, Mike Reynolds of Oklahoma City, Susan Winchester of Chickasha, Rex Duncan of Sand Springs and Senators Randy Brogdon of Owasso and David Myers of Ponca City - who refused to accept copies of the Quran.

"They (the Governor's task force) sent us an e-mail, asking if we wanted a copy," Martin said. "And since it wasn't something that I needed, I kindly declined the offer."

"I'm a Christian," he said. "And there's lots of other religious documents that I don't have a copy of. But I appreciated them giving us more of a choice."

State Rep. Rex Duncan, who announced his refusal publicly, said he turned down a copy of the Quran because it advocated killing women and children.

"Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology," he said in an interview with the Associated Press. Duncan said he objected "to the use of the state Centennial Seal and the state Seal all in an effort to further their (Muslims') religion."

However, one religious scholar said the action could be viewed as an insult to the Muslim community. (READ MORE)

A town commissioner denied yesterday that he gave $500 to a citizens group that opposes plans for a Muslim worship and conference center in the rural Frederick County community.

Commissioner Chad Weddle also denied having advised the Citizens for Walkersville on how to defeat the project proposed by the Silver Spring-based Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA.

The charges surfaced in a sworn affidavit hours before the planning commission in the town of 5,600 voted on a zoning amendment proposed by Mr. Weddle that could block the project by prohibiting places of worship, schools and private clubs on agricultural land. (READ MORE)

CANADA: ISLAM SPARKS FIERY DEBATE IN QUEBEC - TOP
Tu Thanh Ha, Globe and Mail, 10/24/07

There was the woman who feared that Quebec would be overrun by Muslims. There were anecdotes about Muslims unwilling to integrate. Mentions of massacres in Muslim countries.

For an area where Muslims make up less than 0.7 per cent of the local population, Islam repeatedly came up as a source of anxiety last night as the public commission looking at religious accommodations stopped in the Mauricie area, midway between Montreal and Quebec City.

It was in this region that the village of Hérouxville made headlines last year with its "code of conduct" warning prospective newcomers that practices such as wearing face veils or stoning women would not be tolerated.

While the code was decried by pundits as a mean-spirited caricature of Islam, its initiators say they have been flooded with supportive mail from across Quebec.

On the one hand last night, there were people like Jean-Pierre Trépanier, who made the first remarks at the open-mike forum attended by more than 180 people.

"I am ashamed to be a Quebecker when I hear the stupidities and inanities such as those of Hérouxville," Mr. Trépanier said.

"When someone imposes something on you, it's up to them to stop imposing it if it bothers you," said André Drouin, a Hérouxville municipal councillor who was behind the code.

Mr. Drouin and Bernard Thompson, another originator of the Hérouxville code, are presenting a brief today where they will argue that no accommodations should be granted to religious minorities.

"If they're not happy and they're unsatisfied, let them go back to their country and make it better," Jacques Landry said to applause, as he thanked the people of Hérouxville. (READ MORE)

TERROR WATCH LIST SWELLS TO MORE THAN 755,000 NAMES - TOP
Mimi Hall, USA TODAY, 10/24/07

The government's terrorist watch list has swelled to more than 755,000 names, according to a new government report that has raised worries about the list's effectiveness. (READ MORE)

(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 10/24/07) On November 4, 2007, the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-PA) will host a panel discussion about Islamophobia, its origins and effect on individuals and organizations.

WHEN: November 4, 2007, 1:30 - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Hall of Flags, Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce Street, Philadelphia

MI: CATHOLIC, MUSLIM INTERFAITH DIALOGUE OPENED - TOP
Gregg Krupa, Detroit News, 10/24/07

Prayerful dialogue rarely attracts the attention conferred on conflict and violence, but Catholic and Muslim leaders say it can help prevent both.

A few dozen leaders of both faiths met for three days this week at the largest mosque in the country, the Islamic Center of America. They worshipped together and contemplated their ongoing collaboration, emerging Tuesday with a "mission statement" that will help guide the dialogue and relations between Muslims and Catholics well into the future. (READ MORE)

Negative images of Muslims in the media since the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the start of the war in Iraq need to be dispelled, members of Chattanooga's Islamic community say.

"It's important for us as citizens to see that Muslims are not terrorists," said Kabah Raheem, resident imam, or prayer leader, at the Chattanooga Islamic Center. "You can't with one brush paint people one way or the other."

To deter negative stereotypes and provide information about Muslims, several members of the local Islamic community are planning a Chattanooga Islamic Cultural Showcase from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Coolidge Park. (READ MORE)

AFGHANISTAN: NATO AIR RAID 'KILLS CIVILIANS' - TOP
BBC, 10/23/07

At least 13 Afghan civilians have been killed in a Nato air strike near Kabul, a provincial official says. Thirteen others were injured, the head of Wardak provincial council said. (READ MORE)

U.S. SAYS IRAQ AIR STRIKE KILLS 11, MOSTLY CIVILIANS - TOP
Aseel Kami, Reuters, 10/23/07

The U.S. military said it killed 11 people in a helicopter attack on a group of men seen planting a roadside bomb north of Baghdad on Tuesday, but police and residents said the dead were farmers, women and children.

Israeli military experts have formulated a plan to gradually cut off electricity and fuel to the Gaza Strip in response to ongoing rocket fire from the Palestinian area, defense officials said Wednesday.

Israel provides more than half of Gaza's electricity, and any power cutoff is sure to make life more difficult for residents of the already impoverished territory. The move is also certain to draw harsh international condemnation. (READ MORE)

CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: info@cair.com
URL: http://www.cair.com

The Prophet Muhammad Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The food for one person is sufficient for two, the food for two is sufficient for four and the food for four is sufficent for eight."

MUSLIMS URGE PRAYERS FOR RAIN TO PUT OUT CALIF. FIRES - TOP
CAIR asks people of all faiths to join nationwide spiritual effort

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/23/2007) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on mosques and other houses of worship across the nation to offer prayers for rain to help put out wildfires currently raging in California.

CAIR urged American mosques to offer special Islamic prayers, called Salatul Istisqa (sal-AT-al-istis-KA), which the Prophet Muhammad traditionally offered during times of drought.

In Salatul Istisqa, the Prophet would offer supplications such as: "O God, give us rain that will replenish us, abundant, fertilizing and profitable, not injurious. Grant it now without delay...Send down rain upon us and make it a source of strength and satisfaction...O God, give us a saving rain, good and productive, general and heavy, now and not later, beneficial and not harmful."

The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: "O my people! Seek forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him in repentance. He will send you from the sky abundant rain." (Quran, 11:52)

"Americans of all faiths need to offer spiritual assistance to the courageous firefighters who are battling these deadly fires," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad.

Awad also asked mosques in wildfire areas to offer shelter to fire victims and that financial aid for victims be sent to the American Red Cross.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Munira Syeda, 714-776-1847 or 714-851-4851, E-Mail: socal@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

S. CALIF. MUSLIMS, JEWS TO OPPOSE COULTER'S MESSAGE OF HATE - TOP
Coalition invites community to participate in silent protest and vigil

(ANAHEIM, CA, 10/23/07) - On Wednesday, October 24, Southern California interfaith leaders will hold a silent protest and vigil to offer a message of hope and solidarity during Ann Coulter's visit to the University of Southern California this week.

WHAT: Silent Protest and Vigil
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 5:15 p.m.
WHERE: Annenberg Auditorium, USC
CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Munira Syeda, 714-776-1847 or 714-851-4851, E-Mail: socal@cair.com

Coulter, whose address is part of so-called "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week," has a long history of bigotry against Muslims, Jews and other minorities.

She grabbed national headlines in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks by stating that America should "invade [Muslim] countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity." In a November 2006 Townhall.com column, she wrote, "[P]rofiling Muslims is more like profiling the Klan." She refers to Muslims as "rag heads."

More recently, Coulter faced accusations of anti-Semitism. On CNBC's 'The Big Idea' interview, she said Christians wanted Jews to be 'perfected.' Last week, Coulter said on the Michael Medved show, "The Jews believe that my savior, a Jew, was a raving lunatic, and you don't see me sniffling and crying."

Rabbi Haim Beliak, co-founder of www.Jewsonfirst.org, stated: "We call on all Southern Californians to take a stand against the hate and fear Coulter and organizers of Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week attempt to stoke at USC and other campuses."

CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said: "The best response to Coulter's extremist rhetoric is an increased commitment and efforts to promote dialogue, harmony and mutual understanding among all people."

Islamo-fascism Awareness Week is a series of lectures at college campuses nationwide this week featuring several speakers who are regarded as the nation's worst Islamophobes by American Muslims.

(NEW YORK, NY, 10/23/07) - Some 100 people turned out Sunday for a panel discussion entitled "Islamophobia: Institutionalized Racism" hosted by the New York chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) at the Islamic Center at New York University.

Speakers on the panel included CAIR-NY President Omar Mohammedi, Esq., CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed, Professor Lawrence Davidson of West Chester University, and Christian ethicist and author Dr. Lucinda Mosher.

"There are many, many people in this country who have been subject to the same kind of injustices and have been fighting this same fight the Islamic community now confronts," said Dowoti Desir, executive director of The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center.

Similar discussions on Islamophobia, or fear and hatred of Islam and Muslims, are being organized by CAIR chapters across the nation.

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices, chapters and affiliates nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif, 732-429-4268, E-Mail: alatif@cair.com; Faiza N. Ali CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director, 212.870.2002 E-Mail: fali@cair.com

Six lawmakers in the 101-member House of Representatives have joined Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, in refusing a copy of the Quran.

The holy book of the Muslim religion was offered as a centennial gift by the Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council.

Duncan refused a copy saying that "Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology.

Allison Moore of Tulsa, who converted to the Muslim faith more than a decade ago, said Tuesday that the lawmaker is taking out of context what the Quran says.

According to the governor's council, other Republican representatives declining a copy of the Quran are David Derby of Owasso, Guy Liebmann of Oklahoma City, Scott Martin of Norman, Mark McCullough of Sapulpa, Mike Reynolds of Oklahoma City, and Susan Winchester of Chickasha.

CAIR-SFBA: GROUPS TO ANNOUNCE INITIATIVES ON BIAS-RELATED HARASSMENT IN SCHOOLS - TOP

(SANTA CLARA, CA, 10/23/07) - On Wednesday, October 24, the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), along with other Bay Area civil rights organizations, will call attention to bias-related harassment plaguing California's public schools.

WHAT: Calling Attention to Public School Harassment Cases
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Asian Law Caucus 939 Market Street, Suite 201 San Francisco, CA
CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Civil Rights Coordinator Mahrukh Hasan, 408-986-9874, E-Mail: mhasan@cair.com; Angela Chan, Staff Attorney, Asian Law Caucus, 415-848-7719, E-Mail: angelac@asianlawcaucus.org

The results of a recent survey will be released showing that many school districts have failed to comply with the California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, AB 537 (Kuehl), which prohibits discriminatory harassment and violence in schools.

New state and local initiatives will be announced to prevent and reduce bias-related harassment and violence in schools, including the passage of the Safe Place to Learn Act (AB 394).

Participating organizations include: ACLU of Northern California, Asian Americans for Civil Rights & Equality, Asian Law Caucus, Asian Youth Advocacy Network, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Equality California, Public Advocates

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to promote justice, enhance the understanding of Islam, and empower American Muslims.

CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Media & Outreach Coordinator Kourosh Safavi, 408.986.9874, E-Mail: ksafavi@cair.com

CAIR-NY WELCOMES 'ANTI-NOOSE' BILL - TOP
New Yorkers urged to send thank you letters to Sen. Skelos

(NEW YORK, NY, 10/23/07) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today urged Muslim New Yorkers and all people of conscience to send thank you letters to Sen. Dean G. Skelos (R-NY) for sponsoring an "anti-noose" bill following a number of recent cases involving that symbol of racism.

The bill, which makes it a felony to etch, draw, paint and display nooses in a threatening manner, passed in the Senate on Monday.

"We recognize with deep concern the recent use of hate symbols to intimidate and threaten the safety of the African-American community," said CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif. "We applaud Sen. Skelos for initiating stronger legal measures as a deterrent for future acts of racism."

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif, 212-870-2002, 732-429-4268, alatif@cair.com; CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali 212-870-2002, fali@cair.com

(TAMPA, FL, 10/23/2007) - Some 700 people turned out on Saturday for CAIR-Tampa's annual fundraising banquet. The banquet, with the theme "Let the Conversation Begin" helped raise more than $400,000 to support CAIR-Tampa's civil rights and advocacy work.

CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Community Relations Coordinator Jamila Baraka, 813-514-1414, E-Mail: jbaraka@cair.com; CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier, 813-731-9506, E-Mail: abedier@cair.com

CAIR: JURORS FIND NO PROOF THAT DONATIONS AIDED TERROR - TOP
Peter Whoriskey, Washington Post, 10/23/07

The trial against what was once the nation's largest Islamic charity ended in a mistrial Monday as federal prosecutors in Dallas were unable to gain a conviction on charges that the group's leaders had funneled millions of dollars to Mideast terrorists.

The jurors in the high-profile case acquitted Mohammad el-Mezain, the former chairman of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, on virtually all the charges brought against him and deadlocked on the other charges that had been lodged against four other former leaders of the charity.

Monday's developments were a setback for the Bush administration, which had frozen the group's finances three months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and indicted its officials three years later on charges that they provided funds in support of Hamas, a militant Palestinian group that the United States considers a terrorist organization.

During the trial, the government did not argue that Holy Land directly supported terrorist groups. Instead, prosecutors asserted that the charity provided money to committees in the West Bank and Gaza that were controlled by Hamas and, in doing so, created goodwill toward the militant organization, helping it recruit members.

But at least some of the jurors apparently did not see strong links between the charity and terrorists.

Juror William Neal told the Associated Press that the panel found little evidence against Mezain, Mufid Abdulqader, a top fundraiser for Holy Land, and Abdulrahman Odeh, the group's New Jersey representative. It was evenly split on charges against Shukri Abu Baker, the charity's former chief executive, and former Holy Land chairman Ghassan Elashi, who were seen as Holy Land's principal leaders. . .

"It's a huge sense of relief," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who was there. "Twelve regular people in the U.S. couldn't be convinced to issue a single guilty verdict. That's a sign of good news that the justice system is working and the campaign of fear is apparently not working." (MORE)

SEE ALSO:

HLF JUROR: GOVERNMENT ‘REALLY USED FEAR’ - TOP
Greg Krikorian, Los Angeles Times, 10/23/07

The U.S. Justice Department suffered a major setback in another high-profile terrorist prosecution Monday when its criminal case against five former officials of a now-defunct Islamic charity collapsed into a tangle of legal confusion.

U.S. District Judge A. Joe Fish declared a mistrial, but not before it became clear that the government's landmark terrorism finance case -- and one of its most-costly post-9/11 prosecutions -- was in serious trouble.

His decision came after jury verdicts were read to a packed courtroom indicating that none of the defendants had been found guilty on any of the 200 combined counts against them. Jurors had acquitted defendants on some counts and were deadlocked on charges ranging from tax violations to providing material support for terrorists.

However, during routine polling of the jurors to determine that their votes were accurately reflected in the findings, two said they were not. When efforts to reconcile the surprise conflict failed, Fish declared the mistrial.

The case presented to a Texas jury of eight women and four men relied heavily on Israeli intelligence and involved disputed documents and electronic surveillance gathered by federal agents over a span of nearly 15 years. Fish's order ended a two-month trial and 19 days of jury deliberations over allegations that Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development and five of its former leaders provided financial aid to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

President Bush announced in December 2001 that the Texas-based charity's assets were being seized, and in a Rose Garden news conference accused the organization of financing terrorism. Monday's outcome, however, raised serious questions about those allegations as well.

"I think it is a huge defeat for the government," said David Cole, a Georgetown University law professor specializing in 1st Amendment cases and terrorism prosecutions.

"They spent almost 15 years investigating this group, seized all their records and had extensive wiretapping and yet could not obtain a single conviction on charges of supporting a terrorist organization."

According to one juror interviewed Monday afternoon, the panel was evenly split on most of the disputed charges and not close to convicting anyone.

Juror William Neal, 33, who said his father worked in military intelligence, said that the government's case had "so many gaps" that he regarded the prosecution as "a waste of time." (MORE)

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U.S. PROSECUTION OF MUSLIM GROUP ENDS IN MISTRIAL - TOP
Leslie Eaton, New York Times, 10/23/07

A federal judge declared a mistrial on Monday in what was widely seen as the government’s flagship terrorism-financing case after prosecutors failed to persuade a jury to convict five leaders of a Muslim charity on any charges, or even to reach a verdict on many of the 197 counts.

The case, involving the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development and five of its backers, is the government’s largest and most complex legal effort to shut down what it contends is American financing for terrorist organizations in the Middle East.

President Bush announced he was freezing the charity’s assets in December 2001, saying that the radical Islamic group Hamas had “obtained much of the money it pays for murder abroad right here in the United States.”

But at the trial, the government did not accuse the foundation, which was based in a Dallas suburb, of paying directly for suicide bombings. Instead, the prosecution said, the foundation supported terrorism by sending more than $12 million to charitable groups, known as zakat committees, which build hospitals and feed the poor. (MORE)

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CAIR: VERDICTS CAUSE CONFUSION, THEN MORE DELIBERATION, FINALLY JOY AND THANKS - TOP
Michael Grabell and Jeffrey Weiss, Dallas Morning News, 10/22/07

At first, three of the six defendants in the Holy Land Foundation trial were found not guilty. Then, they weren't. Then, one was found not guilty. But not on all charges.

Such was the confusion Monday at the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse in downtown Dallas, where jurors rendered their verdict in the nation's largest terrorism financing case.

After 14 years of investigation, two months of trial, 19 days of deliberations and four more of waiting, the Holy Land case is essentially back where it started. The judge declared a mistrial on nearly all the charges, and prosecutors can retry everyone.

"Like Rosa Parks once was persecuted for simply sitting in a front seat of a bus, my dad was singled out for feeding, clothing and educating the children of Palestine," said Noor Elashi, daughter of defendant Ghassan Elashi.

The defendants had arrived Monday morning in a cold rain that seemed to swirl from every direction.

"We'll be all right," Shukri Abu Baker, the former Holy Land CEO, told a United Church of Christ minister, there to support him. He then looked up to the ceiling. "We're in good hands," he said.

More than 200 people, most of them Muslim, eventually assembled in a sixth-floor cafeteria at the federal courthouse to await the verdicts. The jury made up its mind Thursday, but the verdict had been sealed over the weekend because the judge was out of town. . .

Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, drew links to McCarthyism in the 1950s.

"Today's campaign has a different name and a different target," said Mr. Awad, whose group is an unindicted co-conspirator in the case. "The campaign is anti-terrorism and the target is the American Muslim community." (MORE)

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VIDEO: CAIR JOINS PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER HLF MISTRIAL - TOP
Dallas Morning News, 10/22/07

Press conference at the federal courthouse after the judge declares a mistrial in the Holy Land Foundation case.

Rebecca Lopez interviews Holy Land juror William Neal who says the panel was overwhelmed by the evidence.

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HOLY LAND TRIAL THIRD MAJOR SETBACK FOR PROSECUTORS - TOP
Associated Press, 10/23/07

The failure to win any convictions against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development was the third major setback for federal prosecutors after charging individuals in this country with providing aid to foreign terrorists.

In 2005, former college professor Sami Al-Arian was acquitted on eight counts of aiding the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. After a six-month trial, jurors deadlocked on nine other counts. Al-Arian pleaded guilty to one count of providing services to members of the terrorist group rather than face a retrial. He was sentenced last year to four years and nine months in prison and will be deported after serving the sentence.

This year, a jury in Illinois acquitted Muhammad Salah and Abdelhaleem Ashqar of operating a terrorist recruiting and financing cell. Salah was sentenced in July to 21 months in federal prison for lying in a civil lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed by parents of an American teenager murdered in Israel by Hamas gunmen - Holy Land was a defendant.

On Monday, a federal court jury in Dallas failed to reach a verdict after a two-month trial in which Holy Land was accused of aiding the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The judge declared a mistrial, and the lead prosecutor said he expected the government to retry the case. 1 of 5 defendants was acquitted on 31 of 32 counts against him but could be retried on that single count. (MORE)

CAIR
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