Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. of Paterson reiterated his support for Imam Mohammad
Qatanani on Wednesday, saying he agreed to testify in the popular cleric's
behalf in January.
Qatanani, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Passaic County in
Paterson since 1996, faces deportation for not disclosing a conviction in an
Israeli court on his application for permanent U.S. residency.
Last month the imam's defense lawyer opted not to have Pascrell testify
because she had to limit the roster of witnesses and believed his letter of
support could stand on its own.
Pascrell wrote one of the 200 affidavits submitted to the court in behalf of
the imam.
In the letter sent to the immigration court judge, Pascrell called the imam
"magnanimous" and "peace-loving."
"As a religious leader, Imam Qatanani has had an enormously positive impact
in my district," the letter stated. "Our community would suffer a serious loss
should he be required to leave."
In a statement issued last month, Israeli police said the Palestinian man
confessed to assisting Hamas and was sentenced by a court to a three-month
imprisonment.
Qatanani said he never confessed to assisting Hamas, which the State
Department considers a terrorist group. The 44-year-old cleric said he was
detained while crossing the border between Jordan and the West Bank.
Twelve people will be testifying in the imam's behalf, including Passaic
County Sheriff Jerry Speziale and Charles B. McKenna, assistant U.S. attorney in
Newark.
McKenna met the imam after Sept. 11, when Qatanani offered translation
services and other support to law enforcement.
Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. of Paterson reiterated his support for Imam Mohammad
Qatanani on Wednesday, saying he agreed to testify in the popular cleric's
behalf in January.
Qatanani, the spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Passaic County in
Paterson since 1996, faces deportation for not disclosing a conviction in an
Israeli court on his application for permanent U.S. residency.
Last month the imam's defense lawyer opted not to have Pascrell testify
because she had to limit the roster of witnesses and believed his letter of
support could stand on its own.
Pascrell wrote one of the 200 affidavits submitted to the court in behalf of
the imam.
In the letter sent to the immigration court judge, Pascrell called the imam
"magnanimous" and "peace-loving."
"As a religious leader, Imam Qatanani has had an enormously positive impact
in my district," the letter stated. "Our community would suffer a serious loss
should he be required to leave."
In a statement issued last month, Israeli police said the Palestinian man
confessed to assisting Hamas and was sentenced by a court to a three-month
imprisonment.
Qatanani said he never confessed to assisting Hamas, which the State
Department considers a terrorist group. The 44-year-old cleric said he was
detained while crossing the border between Jordan and the West Bank.
Twelve people will be testifying in the imam's behalf, including Passaic
County Sheriff Jerry Speziale and Charles B. McKenna, assistant U.S. attorney in
Newark.
McKenna met the imam after Sept. 11, when Qatanani offered translation
services and other support to law enforcement.
Source: http://www.northjersey.com/news/immigration/18755704.html
