|
Rally for Justice
Progress report on
the grassroots campaign to support Imam Mohammad Qatanani, Spiritual leader of
the Islamic Center of Passaic County, NJ.
Aref Assaf, spokesman,
A4Q Media Relations
April 29,
2008
With the grace of God, the merciful, the
most compassionate, the hard work of the last four months in support of
Imam Mohamad Qatanani will culminate in the Rally For Justice which will take
place, rain or shine, on May 8, 9, and 12 in Newark, NJ. Over a hundred or so
volunteers of the Americans 4 Qatanani grassroots campaign have been tirelessly
working to prepare for a successful, well organized and well attended popular
showing of support for the Imam and his family.
We are grateful for the immense help we have received from so
many people, organizations and businesses who share our core belief that the
Imam’s legal case is the entire community’s burden and responsibility. (See
partial list below) This is not the time to relax our moral focus on what is at
stake: If we do not participate in the rally, our enemies will only assume
either our sense of defeat or our indifference to what is just and good. We do
understand the possible hardship some will encounter taking off work to attend
the rally. But we have all said the case is our case and our cause and it
follows if we so believe it to be so, then no excuse will suffice. We must all
attend in massive numbers. Your presence is important because the eyes of the
judge, the prosecutors, and indeed the world will be focused on the streets
across from the court room.
We are attending to every detail to make
your time fruitful and comfortable. To that end, we have secured a permit from
the City of Newark to the Rally which will be organized from
Kenny St. going to Broad St., then to Green St. Jumaa will be at Lincoln Park
only. The Rally area is very close to the Federal
building located at
970
Broad St, Newark, NJ, where the courts proceedings
will take place. We have arranged for buses to take you and your family from the
Islamic center of Passaic County and other locations to the Rally site and
return you there. Buses will leave around 8 AM so please be early. (See details
below) We have also provided for all ancillary services such toilets, security,
banners, vendors, and prayer areas. Bring your A4Q t-shirts to the Rally or you
can buy one at the ICPC beforehand or at the Rally.
We have a confirmed list of great and
motivational speakers who will share their wit and wisdom with us all. Most
prominent will be Imam Siraj Wahhaj who will deliver the sermon on Friday’s
Jumma. The Friday Rally promises to be very crowded and we urge you to arrive
early.
We expect intense media coverage of the Rally and the court
proceedings. We have a designated a team of Media Spokespersons who will be
clearly identified by “Media” tags. Please refer all media inquires either to
the stage or anyone wearing this tag. Security will be provided by the Newark
police in collaboration with a team of volunteers who will be so identified. We
will also have a group of attorneys present wearing ’Legal Aid’ tags to assist
with legal matters. We will have sufficient quantity of American flags for use
at the rally as well. And remember, rain or shine the Rally is on all three days
from 8:00 till 1 PM. On Friday, the Rally will end after the Jumma
prayer.
The last three weeks witnessed an
increased awareness of the Imam’s case. We continued to have media coverage
which can be described as positive or neutral. The New York Times ran a story on the
case on April 24th. The Star Ledger will run a story early next
week.
The now popular Qatanani documentary is out and can
be viewed on Google Video and YouTube as well. Please view it and alert all your
friends. We have also secured a very important statement of support from the NJ
Commission on Civil Rights expressing
its support for the Imam and urging full adherence to due process.
Additionally, we have received one important resolution from the Paterson City
Council and a Proclamation from the Mayor of Prospect Parks. (See a draft
here). When added to the so many other testimonials
and letters of support, no one can
dispute the wide and truly impressive support the Imam has earned from his
friends.
Perhaps the most notable event took place
on April 24, when over a hundred clergy leaders gathered at the Atrium in West
Orange.(Video is availbe on the A4Q website) One speaker after another, the
message being made was the same: the Imam is irreplaceable and his leadership is
invaluable to all. The attendees concluded the event with a statement expressing their
solidarity and support for the Imam and urging Federal officials to listen to
the demands of the community and to do what is right.
The Americans for Qatanani grassroots
campaign will continue to work to ensure victory for the Imam because his win is
our collective gain. Will you spare a few hours to show that you care and that
you will stand for justice and what is right? Many of our friends will also be
there. Won’t you? There may never another time to say so loudly that American
Muslims will stand united against injustice and discrimination. Come ready to be recognized.
All
media inquiries should be directed to Aref Assaf
973-960-3673.
|
