Delighted supporters: System is indeed fair
PATERSON -- Hundreds of North Jersey Muslims broke their Ramadan fast Thursday night with electrifying news: Imam Mohammad Qatanani can remain in the United States.
"It's the very best day for all of us," said Adnan Iqnais, 43, of Paterson. "It was very important, especially in a holy month."
Supporters of the spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, a 1,000-member mosque in Paterson, were ebullient Thursday as news spread about a judge's decision to grant legal permanent residency to Qatanani and his family.
"I'm just overjoyed," said the Rev. Phil Latronico, chaplain of Community of God's Love in Rutherford, who learned of the news Thursday afternoon when he called Qatanani to wish him Ramadan blessings.
On Thursday, local Muslims spoke about the significance of the judge's decision for their community. Many people said it affirmed their belief in the fairness of the American justice system. Others said it was a testimony to the ability of Muslims to live and worship in America.
"This is a country of freedom and justice. This is our right here," said Mohamed Mussa, a spiritual leader at the North Hudson Islamic Education Center, a large mosque in Union City.
Thursday afternoon, Judge Alberto J. Riefkohl unceremoniously delivered the decision in his Newark courtroom. He handed lawyers for the prosecution and defense thick manila envelopes with the 69-page document, then said little else. As Qatanani's lawyer read the decision, the room erupted into embraces and shouts. The assistant defense attorney started crying.
Word of the decision spread rapidly. Qatanani, 44, sent a text message to his oldest son, who sat in class at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Qatanani's wife, Sumaia, called her colleagues at the Al-Hikmah Elementary School in Prospect Park ,where she teaches. Students and faculty at the Al-Ghazaly School in Teaneck, where the family's five other children attend, celebrated during class.
"I told (the students) to scream it from the rooftop," said Salaheddin Mustafa, a Clifton resident and leader at the Islamic Center of Passaic County.
Qatanani returned to the mosque in the afternoon to greet supporters. As planned, he led a prayer before a candlelight 9/11 commemoration at the Passaic County Public Safety Academy in Wayne. Qatanani was one of the first imams in the United States to condemn the terror attacks.
"All religions are for peace," Qatanani said Thursday after a minister lit his candle during a ceremony attended by a hundred local officials, religious leaders and emergency response workers.
"I feel victory for the country, for the imam and for myself," said Nidal Matahen, a Paramus mosque member who helped organize support for Qatanani. "All the work we did did not go in vain."
Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson, one of Qatanani's supporters, said the government's case against the imam was weak and had the underpinnings of racial profiling.
"I didn't see any compelling evidence," said Pascrell. "In speaking to federal agents, they know nothing suspicious about him."
Supporters will continue to raise funds in case the government chooses to appeal, said Aref Assaf, a Denville businessman who helped run the cleric's support campaign. The New York City defense team and grassroots support campaign for Qatanani cost some $250,000, Assaf said.
In the evening, Qatanani stood before hundreds of supporters at the mosque for the breaking of fast.
Ramadan is known as the month of humility, self-improvement and heightened spirituality.
"It's the month of blessing. And it's a blessed opinion," said Mohamed El Filali, the mosque's outreach coordinator.
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