Statement On The Fatal Shooting of Imam Luquman Ameen Abdullah

[Moorbey]

The International National Council for Urban (Formations) Peace, Justice and Empowerment

Statement On The Fatal Shooting of Imam Luquman Ameen Abdullah

We, as members of the International Council for Urban (Formations) Peace, Justice and Empowerment are appalled by the raids on Masjid Al-Haqq and a halal meat packing plant that left Imam Luquman Ameen Abdullah dead. We are demanding an independent investigation into this action that is clearly the result of a climate of Islamaphobia fed by law enforcement and a media bent on sensationalism. This complaint and the resulting raid are nothing more than government sponsored terrorism against a group that was working to help the community. This action is inconsistent with statements by President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder which call for mutual respect for Muslims in the United States.

The inconsistencies in this investigation are glaring. The case is based on the sworn statements of informants. These informants were convicted criminals who were paid by the federal government for their “work”. These criminals were used to engage and entrap law abiding citizens.

We have seen the media statements that Imam Abdullah was the head of a separatist group called Ummah, which means Brotherhood. Ummah means community-not brotherhood. Al-Ummah is not now, or has ever been, a Black Separatist and radical group, as any discrimination on the basis of skin color is forbidden in the Koran. We as an organization have never heard Imam Abdullah make any statements consistent with the statements in the complaint. We have never seen any actions that would be consistent with the allegations in the complaint.

The media has stated that there is a sign at the mosque that states that “There is no God but Allah”. There is only one god, who is known by many names in many cultures. Why was this statement even mentioned?

The FBI has stated that this was not a terrorism case. However, the investigation was conducted by a counter terrorism unit. They mention threats against the government and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Is this a terrorism case or not?

Much is also being made of the fact that many of the members of the Masjid Al-Haqq converted to Islam while in prison. The inference is that, while they served their time in prison, sought to change their lives by developing a practicing faith-they have not really changed. Much is also being made about Imam Jamil Al-Amin being the leader of Al-Ummah. Various articles state that he is serving time in a federal prison facility for federal charges after murdering two police officers. The fact is that those were state charges and he is being housed in a federal penitentiary on state charges.

All of the facts-not just the words of paid informants- need to be brought out in a clear and unbiased manner. The fact is that Masjid Al-Haqq, under the direction of Imam Abdullah, fed the hungry, housed the homeless, worked with gangs and the formerly incarcerated to turn a crime ridden and drug infested neighborhood around to becoming a productive community. The fact is that a complaint is not an indictment. The fact is that the media is engaging in an Islamaphobic feeding frenzy. The most disturbing fact is that a religious leader who reached out to his people and his community is dead, the victim of a society that sees anyone who is different as dangerous.

Amir El Hajj Khalid A. Samad and T. Rashad Byrdsong

On behalf of the International Council for Urban (Formations) Peace, Justice and Empowerment

---
Contact information;

Amir El Hajj Khalid A. Samad (216) 322-6059 or (216) 538-4043
T. Rashad Byrdsong (412) 371-5197




Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

Freedom Archives Home

[Moorbey]

[apoc] FBI ASSASSINATE POW IMAM JAMIL AL-AMIN AFFILIATES
...
Sat, October 31, 2009 12:25:06 PM



Muslim Alliance in North America on FBI Raid

The FBI Raid and Shooting Death of Imam Luqman
by the Muslim Alliance in North America

http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/mana291009.html

9-29-09

It is with deep sadness and concern that we announce the shooting
death of Imam Luqman A. Abdullah, of Masjid Al-Haqq (Detroit,
MI). Imam Luqman was a representative of the Detroit Muslim
community to the "National Ummah" and the general assembly (Shura) of
the <http://www.mana- net.org/>Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that their agents
shot and killed the Imam during a raid related to a criminal
complaint alleging that members of the mosque were engaged in
criminal, but "not terrorist activity." This tragic shooting raises
deep concerns regarding the use of lethal force by law enforcement agents.

Since the investigation was "solely criminal" based upon "smuggling
and fraud," we urge law enforcement and the media not to take
advantage of this tragedy in order to demonize American Muslims
generally, and those who are African American Muslims in particular.
<http://www.beliefne t.com/News/ 2000/03/The- Jamil-Al- Amin-Who- Muslims-Know. aspx>
The National Community or "Ummah" was established by Imam Jamil
Al-Amin (formerly known as H. Rap Brown). It is an association of
mosques in several cities in the U.S. that coordinates religious and
social services primarily in the Black American community. Reference
to the "Ummah" as a "nation-wide radical fundamentalist Sunni group
consisting primarily of African-Americans" is an offensive
mis-characterizatio n.

To those who have worked with Imam Luqman A. Abdullah, allegations of
illegal activity, resisting arrest, and "offensive jihad against the
American government" are shocking and inconsistent. In his ministry
he consistently advocated for the downtrodden and always spoke about
the importance of connecting with the needs of the poor.

It is our hope and prayer that a thorough investigation will be
carried out with the greatest integrity. We urge the Muslim
community and all Americans committed to justice to actively monitor
both the investigation and trial of the accused. Also, we urge law
enforcement authorities to release Imam Luqman's remains
expeditiously so that they may be buried according to Islamic practice.

----------
Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA) is an organization committed
to Muslim issues and concerns that especially impact indigenous
Muslims -- issues and concerns that we feel have been largely
neglected. MANA is committed to the establishment of viable,
healthy, and dynamic Muslim communities, neighborhoods, and
institutions that meet the religious, social, economic, and political
needs of the Muslims in this land. For more information about MANA's
programs including SHARE centers, Healthy Marriage Initiative,
Community Re-entry Program, as well as the National Campaign for
Healing and Reconciliation, visit our website at
<http://www.mana- net.org>www.mana-net.