Community rallies in support of Imam Mohammad Qatanani’s desire to become an American citizen

Contact, Aref Assaf, Spokesman for A4Q, 973-960-2673

Newark, May 5, 2008: A cross section of ethnic, religious, and cultural groups and individuals will rally in front of the federal building in Newark, NJ to express its unconditional support for Imam M. Qatanani, to be granted along with his family, permanent residency in the US. The three day trail which commences on May 8 will consider the validity of the deportations proceeding brought by the US government against the Imam, his wife and his three foregin born children. The petition denial of June 2006 was based on the government's claim that the Imam did not divulge alleged criminal convictions in Israel where in 1993 he was detained for three months then released. The US government’s main charge is alleged misrepresentation in the immigration application about arrests or convictions before arriving into the United States. This claim is baseless as the Imam has been completely forthright regarding his three month detention by the Israeli Military in 1993 during the first intifada. It is important to state that the US government does not charge the Imam of being or having been a member of any blacklisted organizations.

The Imam has consistently stated that, while detained by Israel, he had never seen an Israeli judge, never appeared in court, never confessed, nor admitted to any alleged illegal memberships.  In fact, there are no properly authenticated legal documents linking the imam to any conviction. The US government has also failed to provide evidence of any such “confession” as mandated by a court order which expired on April 18^th This failure alone should cause the court to throw out the government’s case. 

But even in cases where there are verifiable Israeli Military Court convictions, the defects of that court system are well documented by Israel’s own human rights organizations, U.S and international human rights organizations and even the Israeli Supreme Court.

Since arriving in the US in 1996, the Imam has transformed the Muslim community into a vibrant, participatory and a productive community. His unrivalled leadership in first uniting the different Muslim communities into a large and more recognized and respected community is well documented. Equally important has been the pivotal role the Imam has played in building bridge of cooperation and mutual respect with other religious groups. The Imam’s visionary leadership and risk taking have showered him with accolades from so many organizations and leaders.

For the past four months, A4Q, the  Americans for Qatanani grassroots campaign has worked to demonstrate the intrinsic value of keeping the Imam in the US and his limitless passion for doing what is just and right. Thousands of people have signed a special petition, hundreds have volunteered their time and services to promoting the cause, and many more contributed generously to help with the Imam’s legal expense. The most outstanding feature of the campaign has been the spontaneous and unconditional support people offered in support of the Imam. To them, the government has made a terrible mistake in dragging this noble man into court, and if his appeal is denied, by standing to irrevocably lose all the goodwill he has earned with law enforcement agencies and his expansive congregation.

It is our belief that the imam’s case will be approved and that he and his family will get the legal permanent residence they deserve after nine years of waiting. For the Imam’s pleas is also that of thousands of American citizens who have championed his cause. We continue to believe the US government has a very weak case, if any, against the Imam and that truth will prevail.