Rights and Ramadan

First, the bad news. Last week, the deadliest suicide bombing in several weeks in killed at least 14 Iraqis; 29 people were reported killed across the country, and 51 additional bodies, many of them bound and showing signs of torture, were found in western and eastern Baghdad. Moreover, hundreds of Iraqi policemen fell sick from poisoning Sunday at a base in southern Iraq after the evening meal breaking their daily Ramadan fast, and officials said they were investigating whether the poisoning was intentional.

Meanwhile, the Iraq Study Group, co-chaired by former US Secretary of State James Baker, has grown increasingly interested in the idea of splitting the Shi’ite, Sunni and Kurdish regions of Iraq as the only alternative to what Baker calls “cutting and running” or “staying the course”.

The US attacks Iraq instead of pacifying Afghanistan. The US focuses on the nuclear threat in Iran, and North Korea calls their bluff. What madness. And what incompetence! In such as world, can we still obtain justice? The answer is yes-- but it takes hard work.

Izzat Mufti the OIC's undersecretary for political affairs has announced that Iraqi Sunni and Shiite religious leaders are planning to meet in Saudi Arabia to sign a declaration that forbids inter-Islamic fighting before the end of Ramadan. Though this will take much effort to implement, it is a good sign.

There are also some good signs closer to home. Abdullah al-Kidd, a former star college football player, was arrested at Dulles International Airport in 2003 as he prepared to board a flight to Saudi Arabia, where he was planning to pursue a doctorate in Islamic studies. Federal prosecutors claimed he was a flight risk crucial to the prosecution of a fellow University of Idaho student, Sami Omar al-Hussayen. However, Hussayen was quickly acquitted of any computer-related terrorism charges. Kidd was never called to testify; but he was imprisoned and interrogated in harsh conditions for 16 days in three states and then placed under restrictive court supervision for more than a year.

But Abdullah al-Kidd sued. And last week, US District Judge Edward J. Lodge, a federal judge in Idaho, ruled that former attorney general John D. Ashcroft can be held personally responsible for the wrongful detention of a US citizen arrested as a "material witness" in a terrorism case. Justice Department officials did not respond to requests for comment.

More good news, insha’Allah. Javaid Iqbal, known as “the cable guy” to his Long Island customers, was swept into a federal detention center in Brooklyn when hundreds of Muslims were arrested in the New York area in the days after 9/11. After his deportation, he also sued the government, charging that because of his religion, race or national origin, he, like others, was held for months after 9/11 in abusive solitary confinement before being cleared of links to terrorism and deported. From my work with this case at that time, I know directly that his conditions were indeed abusive, cruel and unusual.

Javaid’s lawsuit was brought by the Urban Justice Center. Lawyers for former Attorney General John Ashcroft and other government officials have been arguing that the officials were entitled to immunity from the lawsuit. However, on October 4, a three-judge panel yesterday challenged arguments by federal officials seeking dismissal.

As Nina Bernstein reported for the New York Times; “Judge Newman was especially scathing in questioning the lawyer for Dennis Hasty… “Beatings?” Judge Newman asked. “Exposure to air-conditioning after standing in the rain? Needless strip-searches? Never approached a due process violation? If I thought your client really believed that, I’ve got to tell you, I’d be really troubled.”

The former Warden’s lawyer also claimed that Mr. Iqbal’s lawsuit itself shows there were “only minimal restrictions” on his ability to practice his religion, since he complained that his Koran had been routinely confiscated and that guards had banged on his cell door when he tried to pray, which proved that he had been allowed to pray and to have a Koran. In a tone of outraged incredulity, Judge Newman repeated the phrase “only minimal restrictions?!”

Truth and Justice at long last? May Allah guide us! And we might remind those who malign all Jews as if they represent some sort of eternal enemy—well, the judges and reporters and often lawyers who bring the truth to light are often Jewish, expressing the highest ideals of the People of the Book, God bless them.

However, if we Muslims wish to help build our own community’s work freeing in captives, we might take this opportunity to give to CAIR; or CRE; or to your local Muslim Lawyer’s Association; at the same time we should also support such allies as the Center for Constitutional Rights, Amnesty International and the ACLU.

And there are so many in prison! Not the most healing environment for most! Brothers and sisters; why not support or start a prison visiting program to give light and hope to detainees in the twilight world of prison? Call your local jails and ask for the Muslim Chaplain. And if there is no chaplain, you may wish to find one!

And we may also wish to find another president, and another congress; but that is another discussion. For the moment, let us remember those most in need of their freedom; let us directly pressure our elected officials and our unelected Muslim leaders to do all they can to protect our rights. This Ramadan, let us support all those who work to protect our rights.