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Muharram 29,1430/ January 26, 2009, # 7.
Please write letters in support of U.S. Muslim [Bangladeshi 
origin] kidnapped by U.S. special forces from Dhaka. See 
editor's letter at 
conclusion 
of this New Trend.
We have evidence that Israel used phosphorous bombs on 
Gaza civilians taking shelter in a UN compound. It's a crime 
against humanity. 
Scroll way down to photo.
Prof. Sami al-Arian is still in prison: 
Scroll down 
to latest situation. [He was arrested to please Israel though 
he was a friend of the U.S. government. His crime was that he 
wanted justice for Palestine.]
America's interests don't matter to Israel: Mark Glenn uncovers 
the secret hold of Israel and American Jewish elites on 
the American power structure which made it possible for Israel 
to ignore American interests in its genocide of the people of 
Gaza. This is shocking but too well documented to be ignored. 
Here is Mark Glenn at his best. 
Please scroll all the way down.
Shocking facts about Obama's Envoy for Pakistan:
From New York Times, circa 1998
Richard Charles Albert Holbrooke was born on April 24, 1941, in 
New York City, the elder of two sons of Dan Holbrooke, a doctor, 
and Trudi Moos, the daughter of a leather exporter in Germany. 
Both his parents, who are Jewish, fled the Nazis in the 1930's. 
Mr. Holbrooke's father, who was brought up in Russia, changed 
his name to Holbrooke when he arrived in the United States. Mr. 
Holbrooke's mother used to take Richard to Quaker meetings 
on Sundays.
He attended Scarsdale High School in suburban New York, where 
his closest friend was David Rusk, the son of the late Secretary 
of State, Dean Rusk.
The power of Islam and the resilience of the Palestinian 
people defeated the brutal Israeli terrorist onslaught on 
Gaza. Photo shows children in Gaza returning to school after 22 
days of bombardment, dazed but determined. Even Stalingrad did 
not show such power of recovery. The Israeli bandits have truly 
been defeated by the new generation of Palestinians [of whom 
Israel killed 459 children].
Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz, Top African American Islamic Leader 
and Educator, says Whole world is watching Obama's Moves
Re: Obama & Islam: Issue #6 of New Trend
A great issue! Your analysis of President Obama and his 
present standing is excellent, the very best I have seen and 
read. His place in history will be determined by the policies 
of his government in dealing with the problems of the 
oppressed the world over, especially those of the suffering 
people in Palestine and Afghanistan. Pretty words and uneven 
handedness will not solve those problems. He has already 
stumbled and fumbled the ball. The whole world is watching and 
waiting for what he is really going to say and do. 
Walaikum asalam!
Abdulalim
[Louisiana]
The Fatwas of Imam Badi Ali, Jamaat al-Muslimeen National 
Shoora leader, against Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak and, 
earlier, in defense of Hizbullah and also against the Pakistani 
military, have disturbed the Saudi monarchy which thinks it 
can control Islam. A Saudi scholar who gave a fatwa against 
Jews has been arrested. Big efforts have been underway to 
discredit Osama's fatwas. To thwart genuine Islamic fatwas by 
"non-authorities," the Saudis held an entire conference in 
which the Saudi King Abdullah, America's man, urged that such 
fatwas be stopped. See text below. 
Scroll way down.
From the Editor's Diary
Incident in a Batimore Masjid: Shows how U.S. Muslims are 
prevented from Opposing Israel. Masjids set up to 
control dissent.
January 23, 2009: Today I went for Juma' to Masjid Nur which is 
located on Harford Road in a northeastern suburb of Baltimore. 
The congregation is largely Arab. The imam is from Syria and is 
supported by Ikhwan-types, doctors and engineers, though 
the majority of the congregation are ordinary Muslims. I come 
here only when it is too late for me to reach any other masjid. 
The khutba is full of pietistic and moralistic cliches: the 
imam seems to think that his congregation does not know 
anything about Islam. He has been like this for the last decade 
at least whenever I go there. It is my misfortune to sit there 
and listen to him trying to use the khutba to get people to 
donate to the masjid.
I have heard that the Ikhwan-ISNA-CAIR network has sent 
out instructions to its sleepy imams to make an effort to say 
something about Gaza because the whole world is condemning the 
atrocities in Gaza. ISNA-CAIR would look really silly if they 
said nothing at all.
The imam rambles on. He spends 15 minutes on explaining that if 
people give charity and want to be known for having done it, 
Allah will sooner or later bring out their fame. He keeps 
calling the audience "ya akhi" as if he is talking to one 
person and also forgetting that there are sisters upstairs.
He goes into long drawn out vague spirituality, talking about 
the beauty of the "other world." He tries to twist the meaning 
of a verse of the Qur'an about Jihad to claim that everything 
we do is jihad [sort of like ISNA's idea that waking up for 
fajr is jihad]. Finally his khutba is over. He hasn't mentioned 
the word "Gaza." I am disappointed but thankful that the 
patience required for listening to 45 minutes of platitudes is 
over. The imam leads the prayers.
Suddenly after the prayers, he announces that Salatul Janaza 
for the "shuhada" [martyrs] will be held on Saturday in Masjid 
Rahma [Islamic Society of Baltimore or ISB]. [Rahma is the 
notorious multimillion dollar masjid on the west side of 
Baltimore with financial links to both the federal government 
and the state government.]
As if inspired by the word "shuhada," I get up and say in a 
loud voice:
"SPEAK AGAINST ISRAEL: How can you speak of shuhada when you 
have not said a word against Israel!"
Immediately the imam's friends move to stop me physically from 
speaking further. One plump little Arab doctor, probably the 
financier of this group, orders me: "You must leave! Leave now. 
Leave! Leave!" I reply: "No! I'll pray right here." The doctor 
backs off.
I added these comments: "You are always collecting funds from 
Muslims, but you do not have the honesty or courage to 
express Islam."
The imam is in a difficult position. None of the congregation 
other than his little clique of 2 or 3 try to oppose me. The 
imam refuses to say anything. The President of the Masjid 
[probably Egyptian] follows me outside and engages me in 
argument. After about 15 minutes of discussion, he leaves with 
all his arguments deflated.
Here is what he said followed by what I said:
President: We cannot have politics in the masjid.
Editor: Israel is not politics. Speaking against Israel is Haqq.
President: We have to live here. We cannot criticize Israel.
Editor: Israel is the enemy of Islam and Muslims. You must 
speak against Israel otherwise you have no Islamic basis.
President: But you must not say it in the masjid. You can say 
it outside, all the world is masjid, you can say it anywhere.
Editor: It must be first in the Masjid. The masjid has the 
mimbar of the Rasool in it. Islam's truth must be proclaimed 
in it.
President: Do you want the masjid to be closed down? We have to 
live here.
Editor: Why don't you admit that you are scared of Israel. The 
Qur'an says in Sura Tauba that masjids must be maintained by 
those who do not fear anyone. The Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, spoke 
against the enemies of Islam in the masjid. That is the Sunnah. 
You must speak on relevant issues, not just sufism and holy 
hereafter. You are simply dead scared. Admit it!
President: No, we are not scared, but it is politics, and does 
not belong in the masjid.
Editor: Allah speaks in the Qur'an against the yahood. Are you 
going to censor the Qur'an?
President: In this country you cannot speak against Israel.
Editor: Who told you that? This is America, not Israel. Even in 
Israel, Muslims speak against it.
President: What is your name?
Editor: Why? You want to tell the government? It is Siddique, 
one who stands by Haqq.
President: [moving away as he saw more people showing interest] 
I wish you well!
Editor: Your group is always collecting money from Muslims, but 
you cover up the truth and don't speak even when thousands are 
killed and wounded by the yahood in Gaza: The curse of Allah be 
on the yahood!
President: We do what we can!
Editor: For 22 days when Israel was bombing and killing in 
Gaza, your group did not issue even a statement against Israel. 
Stop collecting money from the Muslims for your dead masjid! 
Are you creating Masjide Dirar?
[After the President of Masjid Nur left, a Somali brother tried 
to calm me down by telling me that all Jews are not bad and 
told me about Rabbi Weiss in New York who opposes Israel. I 
told him that Weiss and some other American Jews oppose the 
atrocities but they are in a very tiny minority. Almost all the 
Jews of America support the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Very, 
very few oppose Israeli atrocities but they too think Israel is 
a legitimate entity and should keep the land it seized by force 
of arms. I urged the Somali brother to note that the imam and 
clique in this masjid have been crassly insensitive to the 
suffering of the Somali people as well.]
[In case the President of Al-Nur thinks he has been incorrectly 
quoted, he is welcome to send New Trend his correction.]
Obama: Day 1
On January 21, President began his overseas calls with Israel's 
Olmert, then Egypt's Mubarak, then King Abdullah, then PA's 
Mahmoud Abbas and offered them his full support.
Obama: Day 2
Without Comment: Source Washingtonpost.com. 2 items from 
Obama's speech at Hillary Clinton's confirmation
President Obama Supports Israel, Condemns Hamas, Praises 
Egyptian Dictator Mubarak
January 22, 2009
"Let me be clear: America is committed to Israel's security. 
And we will always support Israel's right to defend itself 
against legitimate threats. For years, Hamas has launched 
thousands of rockets at innocent Israeli citizens. No democracy 
can tolerate such danger to its people, nor should the 
international community, and neither should the Palestinian 
people themselves, whose interests are only set back by acts 
of terror.
"To be a genuine party to peace, the quartet has made it clear 
that Hamas must meet clear conditions: recognize Israel's right 
to exist; renounce violence; and abide by past agreements. 
Going forward, the outline for a durable cease-fire is clear: 
Hamas must end its rocket fire; Israel will complete the 
withdrawal of its forces from Gaza; the United States and our 
partners will support a credible anti-smuggling and 
interdiction regime, so that Hamas cannot rearm.
Yesterday I spoke to President Mubarak and expressed my 
appreciation for the important role that Egypt played in 
achieving a cease-fire. And we look forward to Egypt's 
continued leadership and partnership in laying a foundation for 
a broader peace through a commitment to end smuggling from 
within its borders."
Obama Ignored 1500 killed, 5000 wounded by Israel: He claims 
it is a humanitarian disaster: Wants U.S. Puppet Abbas of P.A. 
to control Relief Work [In his own words.]
"Now, just as the terror of rocket fire aimed at innocent 
Israelis is intolerable, so, too, is a future without hope for 
the Palestinians. I was deeply concerned by the loss of 
Palestinian and Israeli life in recent days and by the 
substantial suffering and humanitarian needs in Gaza. Our 
hearts go out to Palestinian civilians who are in need of 
immediate food, clean water, and basic medical care, and who've 
faced suffocating poverty for far too long.
"Now we must extend a hand of opportunity to those who seek 
peace. As part of a lasting cease-fire, Gaza's border crossings 
should be open to allow the flow of aid and commerce, with an 
appropriate monitoring regime, with the international and 
Palestinian Authority participating.
Relief efforts must be able to reach innocent Palestinians who 
depend on them. The United States will fully support an 
international donor's conference to seek short-term 
humanitarian assistance and long-term reconstruction for the 
Palestinian economy. This assistance will be provided to and 
guided by the Palestinian Authority."
Obama: Day 3
First U.S. Attack on civilians in Pakistan after the 
January 20 Inauguration
[Source U.S. wire services.]
The first attack Friday, January 23, took place in the village 
of Zharki in North Waziristan, when a single drone fired three 
missiles in the space of 10 minutes, the security 
officials said.
The first two missiles destroyed two buildings, killing 10 
people, at least five of whom were foreign militants, the 
officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not 
authorized to speak to the media.
Hours later, a third missile struck a house in South Waziristan, 
near Wana, killing eight people, the officials said, giving no 
more details.
[According to the British paper The Guardian, the attack was 
carried out after direct consultation with President Obama.]
[Prominent Pakistani leader Syed Munawar Hasan, Jamaate Islami 
Secretary General, condemned the attack and said it dashed the 
hopes that Obama's policies will be different from Bush's. He 
said the U.S. is scheming with india to deprive Pakistan of its 
nuclear assets.]
[New Trend adds: Obama is extremely popular in Pakistan and is 
seen as a peace maker. The blatant missile attacks came as 
a surprise.]
Obama: Day 3
First U.S. Attack on Civilians in Afghanistan after Jan. 
20 Inauguration
According to the Associated Press, on January 23, between 2 and 
3 AM, the U.S. air force bombed a tiny village in the Mehter 
Lam region of Laghman province, southeast of Kabul. Villagers 
say the dead are 11 civilian men, 3 women and children.
January 25: Hundreds of people came to the capital of Laghman, 
in spite of bad road conditions, to protest the bombing. They 
say there were no Taliban in the little village.
The U.S. military says, the dead are Taliban, not civilians. 
The military says they saw a woman carrying an RPG in the area.
[New Trend comment: In recent months, Afghan women have joined 
the battle against U.S. and NATO occupation forces. People are 
picking up weapons to defend themselves against the rampaging 
NATO forces. Women fighters are not necessarily Taliban. They 
simply want to defend their homes after their men are killed in 
battle. Hijab does not mean they are terrorists.]
Pakistani Victory: from New Trend's Media Monitor
Islamic Forces Take over almost all of Swat region in 
Frontier Province
Only the capital of Swat, Mingora, is in the hands of the 
Pakistani military. The rest of Swat, with the exception of a 
few roads with military posts, is in the hands of an Islamic 
group led by Maulvi Fazlullah. The deep corruption, 
abuse of power, sexual immorality, banditry which were 
characteristic of the Pakistani administration are under attack 
by Islamic militants. Severe punishments are being used to 
clean up the mess.
The police, who are always the sources of corruption in 
Pakistan, have been under Islamic attack. A whole series of 
policemen involved in torture, banditry, murder and bribery 
have reportedly been investigated and beheaded and their bodies 
dumped in Mingora's central square where the Pak military is 
in charge. A prostitute named Shabana, who sent out "dancing 
girls" to Pakistani officials, was suddenly found killed, 
leading to serious outrage in the Pakistani government.
Drug dealers, who were running free under military rule, are 
being arrested by the Islamic militants and whipped in public. 
Every evening Maulvi Fazlullah's short wave radio comes on 
telling the people of the movement against corruption and 
urging them to support Shar'ia. Blue movies [x rated], DVDs, 
Indian movies which had been used to destroy the moral fiber of 
the people are being targeted under Shar'ia law. The 
ordinary masses were sick of the Pak regime's corruption but 
were helpless; hence support for the Islamic militants is 
widespread in spite of the fear of their methodology.
In its January 25, 2009 issue, America's leading Zionist 
newspaper, the New York Times, tried to do a smear job on 
the Islamic uprising in Swat by slanting all the achievements 
of the Islamic forces in a negative way. It calls the Islamic 
forces "Taliban" repeatedly although they are not Taliban. Only 
towards the end of the article one learns that they are 
not Taliban.
The New York Times gave a misleading caption to a photo showing 
mass support for the Islamic forces: people gathered to see a 
drug dealer being punished by the Islamic power. Here is the 
photo: Judge for yourself. Any signs of coercion?
[Hail the Islamic victory in Swat.]
Israel Chose War Over Peace by Mark Glenn [Idaho]. [A prominent 
speaker at Jamaat al-Muslimeen's Peace Conference in Baltimore, 
August 16, 08]
Olmert Reminds The World-"We, The Jewish People, 
Control America"
Amidst all the bombs raining down upon the civilian population 
of the world's largest outdoor concentration camp known as 
Gaza, another bomb-1000 times as devastating as those detonated 
over Japan in 1945-was dropped on the American people but which 
did not make much discussion in the mainstream news, despite 
the shock waves it caused in political circles worldwide.
At the height of Israel's bombing campaign against the 
Palestinian civilians of Gaza that (as of this moment) has 
resulted in almost 1,500 deaths of mostly women and children, 
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert convened a press conference in the 
southern Israeli town of Ashkelon to "explain" things to the 
world. The subject matter was the most recent vote taking place 
in the United Nations on Security Council Resolution 1860 
mandating an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel 
and Hamas, the brainchild of US Sec. Of State Condoleeza Rice 
who drafted it after close consultation with other Arab 
diplomats from the region. Due to the heavy civilian deaths 
being suffered by the Palestinians, again, over 1,000, compared 
to little over a dozen suffered by the Jewish state, such a 
resolution was for all intents and purposes the most humane, 
moral and fair thing to do that in effect called upon Israel to 
stop hacking innocent civilians to pieces.
Israel for her part would have nothing of it. Drunk on the 
bloodshed and suffering she was causing to innocent civilians, 
she was not going to step away from the buffet table until she 
had reached her limit. A mere moments before the vote was to 
take place, the US Sec. of State received a call from her boss, 
George W Bush and was told to ditch the deal and abstain from 
voting on the very resolution she herself had penned.
As outrageous as this was, amidst all the human suffering 
taking place as Israel and her "most moral army in the world" 
rained down outlawed phosphorous bombs on innocent civilians, 
schools, mosques, churches and food stores, what was to follow 
was even worse. Prime Minister Olmert, in behavior similar to 
that of some wise guy/mob boss who has just beat the rap as a 
result of yanking the chain of some judge or prosecutor on his 
payroll, stated in plain language at the convened press 
conference in Ashkelon that it was he, acting on behalf of 
Israel, who "made the call" to Bush and brought about the US 
abstention of vote at the UN. In his own words, upon learning 
of the "unacceptable" language contained in the resolution, (no 
doubt obtained by spies working within the State Dept who got 
their grubby little hands on a pilfered copy) he dropped a dime 
and put in a call to Bush only to learn that the President was 
busy giving a speech. Olmert‘s response-in demeanor 
all-too-typical for Zionists, was "I don't care; I have to 
talk to him." According to Olmert, Bush was called off the 
podium, given the phone and told in no uncertain language that 
"the US cannot possibly vote in favor of this resolution". 
Olmert than stated with barely-concealed glee that Bush "Gave 
an order to the secretary of state, and she did not vote in 
favor of it — a resolution she cooked up, phrased, organized 
and maneuvered for. She was left pretty shamed, and abstained 
on a resolution she arranged…"
And the rest "is history," as the old saying goes.
For its part, when asked about the exchange and subsequent 
abstention on the vote, the US denied Olmert's claims. The US 
State Department characterized Olmert's version of the events 
as "inaccurate, totally and completely untrue" while Rice 
herself called it "Fiction". When asked to comment on the US's 
response, Olmert's version remain unchanged, in effect- "That's 
my story and I'm sticking to it".
Reaction on the part of organized Jewish groups to the story 
was mixed. The ADL, adjunct to Israel's spy agency Mossad, 
rather than denying the obvious-that this recent event is a 
reaffirmation of what others have maintained for some time c
oncerning Israel's ability to yank the foreign policy apparatus 
of the United States around like a poodle on a leash (something 
which the ADL loudly denies as it did over the release of Walt 
and Mearsheimer's book "The Israel Lobby" with dramatic wailing 
and gnashing of teeth) shrugged it off. Notorious windbag Abe 
Foxman, head of the ADL was quoted saying "I have no 
problem with what Olmert did, but I think the mistake was to 
talk about it in public" adding "This is what 
friendships are about. He was not interfering in political 
issues. You have a relationship, and if you don't like what is 
being done, then you go to the boss and tell him."
Douglas Bloomfield, a former chief lobbyist for the 
American Israel Public Affairs Committee all but gloated 
over the effect such a story would have in demonstrating to the 
world raw Jewish power over the United States saying "This 
reinforces the perception that the Israeli prime minister and 
Israeli leaders have easy access to the leaders of the U.S.. It 
is a fact that the Israeli prime minister can get the president 
on the phone. Not every prime minister in the world can do that. 
It is no secret that Israel tried to influence the U.S. 
regarding U.N. votes. It reinforces what the rivals of Israel 
say about the enormous clout Israel has in Washington, and I 
see nothing wrong with that."
While Foxman and Bloomfield differ on some of the finer points 
of this event, where they agree however is that, like all 
criminal organizations who cannot exist in the light of day, 
"It is a mistake to talk about it."
Some might make the claim that Israel decided to capitalize on 
the event by embellishing a few of the details in her favor. 
Such speculation is neither out of the question nor out of 
place, given Israel's well-established history of lying to fit 
with her agenda, including but not limited to "Holocaustianity" 
and its seemingly never-ending expansion of the envelope to 
include grander and grander details of distinctly 
"Jewish" suffering.
Whether events actually took place in exactly the manner as 
Olmert described however is irrelevant at this point. The 
"facts on the ground" are that the US DID abstain from the vote 
at a time when worldwide outrage over Israel's deliberate 
targeting of civilians in Gaza was boiling over and when the US 
had absolutely NOTHING to gain diplomatically by supporting the 
carnage. At a time when America is isolated, despised and alone 
as a result of its "special relationship" with the Jewish state, 
remaining silent as women and children are hacked to pieces of 
flesh and bone by Israel certainly does not make things better.
Those hoping in the "change" promised by the new president 
while on the campaign trail should think twice before investing 
themselves in such business. Remember the words of Barack 
Hussein Obama to AIPAC in June 2008 when he had the 
following to say-
"Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. 
Those who threaten Israel threaten us. And I will bring to the 
White House an unshakeable commitment to Israel's security. 
That starts with ensuring Israel's qualitative military 
advantage. I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any 
threat — from Gaza to Tehran. As president, I will implement a 
Memorandum of Understanding that provides $30 billion in 
assistance to Israel over the next decade — investments to 
Israel's security that will not be tied to any other nation. We 
must approve the foreign aid request for 2009. We should export 
military equipment to our ally Israel under the same guidelines 
as NATO. And I will always stand up for Israel's right to 
defend itself in the United Nations and around the world."
In other words, the only difference between former president 
George W. Bush and the current president Barack Hussein Obama 
with regards to American foreign policy in the Middle East is 
that one is named George W. Bush and the other is named Barack 
Hussein Obama.
It is a law in organized crime circles that "silence is golden" 
if the syndicate is to survive. When once speaking about AIPAC 
and the power of organized Jewry in affecting US policy in the 
Middle East, Steve Rosen (former AIPAC caporegime 
currently under indictment for espionage against the United 
States) said Israel and her machinations are like a "night 
flower" that "thrives in the dark and withers in the light 
of day".
What is more important though, and the more telling of it all 
is the contempt which the Jewish state holds for America as 
demonstrated by her willingness to gloat over sticking a knife 
in the back of her "friend". Although lost on Americans who 
stay glued to their tv sets keeping up on the latest 
earth-shaking events on American Idol or Desperate Housewives, 
what this latest event shows is that in the world of organized 
crime there is no such thing as loyalty. It is a dog-eat-dog 
world, and Israel's recent actions have demonstrated that truly 
she is not "man's best friend" but rather, as former Defense 
Minster Moshe Dayan said "A mad dog, too dangerous 
to bother".
(c) 2009 Mark Glenn
Saudi Arabia: With thanks to Sis. Hamdiyya, Jamaat al-Muslimeen 
supporter in Charlotte, North Carolina
King calls for caution in issuing fatwas
ref: 
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009012327411
RIYADH - King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, said 
here Wednesday night that the training of Muftis and scholars 
was very essential as fatwas had their own requirements.
Addressing the participants of the International Conference on 
Fatwa and its Rules, the Monarch urged the media not to publish 
fatwas from people who are not known to be Islamic scholars.
He underscored the role of scholars in educating the people and 
fighting the deviating thought.
The conference, which concluded in Makkah Tuesday evening, was 
organized by the Islamic Jurisprudence Complex of the Muslim 
World League (MWL) under the patronage of King Abdullah, 
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. A number of prominent Ulema 
from all over the world discussed for over five days major 
areas for fatwas.
Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary General Dr. Abdullah Bin 
Abdulmohsen Al-Turki said participants at the conference 
focused in their research how fatwa should follow the moderate 
path and avoid provocation, conflicts, discord, and views which 
may negatively affect some Muslim youths.
The audience was attended by Grand Mufti and head of the MWL 
founding council Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh. 
- SPA
Here is Evidence that Israel bombed Gaza Civilians taking 
shelter in a UN compound with Phosphorous bombs.
UN Photo of Israeli phosphorous attack on UN shelter in Gaza. 
[Released Jan.21]
Contempt Charges Will Stand In Terrorism-Related Case
By Tom Jackman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 17, 2009; Page A11
A federal judge in Alexandria ruled yesterday that she would 
not throw out contempt-of-court charges against former 
professor Sami al-Arian, who has refused to cooperate with a 
terrorism investigation, and set his case for trial on March 9.
U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema said that Arian can use 
the defense that he was relying on the advice of his attorneys 
when he declined to testify before grand juries investigating 
whether Muslim groups in Herndon were financing terrorism in 
the Middle East.
"We are very gratified by Judge Brinkema's rulings with regard 
to the trial," said Jonathan Turley, one of Arian's attorneys. 
"We look forward to putting Dr. al-Arian's case in front of 
the jury."
Arian, 50, declined to comment. In the courtroom was a crowd of 
Arian's supporters, including nearly two dozen people from 
Tampa, where Arian taught computer engineering at the 
University of South Florida before his first arrest in 2004.
Arian was charged then with raising money and otherwise 
assisting Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a group the U.S. government 
declared a terrorist organization in 1995. At trial in 2005, he 
was acquitted on eight of 17 counts, and the jury deadlocked on 
the other counts.
Rather than face a retrial, Arian pleaded guilty in May 2006 to 
one count of conspiring to assist the terrorist group and was 
sentenced to 57 months in prison, most of which he had served 
while awaiting trial. In his plea agreement, Arian did not 
agree to cooperate with subsequent investigations, as most 
federal plea agreements require.
Within days of Arian's plea and sentencing, prosecutors in 
Alexandria subpoenaed him to testify in the investigation of a 
group of Herndon organizations suspected of funneling money to 
terror groups, although no one has been charged. Arian refused, 
both in 2006 and 2007, and was jailed for civil contempt of 
court for nearly all of 2007.
"I refuse to testify," Arian told the grand jury in 2007, 
"based on my prior plea agreement with the government that I'm 
not required to testify and cooperate in this or any other 
investigation. I refuse, therefore, to make any 
further statements."
Under Israeli instructions, this decent man, an educator, has 
been treated and kept like a criminal.
Bangladeshi American's Case: Please write Similar Letters 
of Support
Loren Grayer (Warden)
United States Penitentiary
601 McDonough Boulevard, S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30315
FAX: (404) 331-2137-Phone#: 404-635-5100
Dear Warden Grayer
I am a human rights activist for Muslim prisoners. I am 
concerned about the case of Ehsanul Sadequee who was kidnapped 
by a U.S. special unit in Dhaka, Bangladesh and brought to 
Atlanta. He is 19 years old and a citizen of the U.S.
Ehsanul, who flew to Bangladesh to get married, was returning 
home from shopping with his wife when he was approached and 
abducted by 8-10 armed men in civilian clothes, identifying 
themselves as members of various intelligence branches of the 
Bangladesh Government. Stripped naked and wrapped in clear 
plastic; the FBI flew Ehsanul to the United States.
I have received reports that he is being mistreated in prison. 
It appears that another prisoner was instigated to beat up Mr. 
Sadequee on October 28, 2008 and he did not receive medical 
treatment. His health was deterioratng.
I am writing to find our if Mr. Sadequee is receiving proper 
medical treatment and what is his situation now?
As you know, U.S. citizens are considered innocent until proven 
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Please do not violate his basic rights as a human being and 
a citizen.
Sincerely
Kaukab Siddique, Ph.D
Editor and Journalist
2009-01-27 Tue 18:41:15 cst
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