Aref Assaf, The Imam and our honor

March 8, 2008

Dear readers and supporters: No other issue so epitomizes both the hopelessness  and aspirations of our community than that of Imam Mohammad Qatanani, spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, NJ.  The Imam is facing imminent deportation should an immigration judge rules against his petition to become a permanent resident of the US. It is up to all of us to define the parameter of the impending outcome. Americans4 Qatananai.org (A4Q)is a grassroots organization comprised of people from all faiths and creeds is committed to not  only supporting the Imam and his family but  to pressuring decision makers to grant the Imam the right to stay.

Read my published op-ed in the Herald News

We dedicated an entire newsletter to news and commentary about the Imam's predicament, the legal, the political and communal implications. Our actions, words or deeds, on  this developing story promise to define our future political discourse for a long time.

American Arab Forum is working closely with the grassroots efforts  to mobilize the popular support for the Imam. Our extensive contacts with many in the media are being put to good use. Since the announcement of the deportation hearing at last Friday's Jummah prayer, the Media Committee of  the Q4A has succeeded in producing a very good exposure both in print media  and  also on TV.  Our impact is clearly seen in  in a front page position four articles which  have been heavily quoted and retransmitted via AP all over. Additionally, we got  two editorials as well as one column on Thursday and  still one more to be published on Sunday.
The most important media interview was granted to the Associated Press  on Thursday and it will be dispatched in time for Sunday readership.

We also coordinated two TV interviews, one with News12 and the other with NBC TV. The New York Times is committing a significant time to producing an in-depth story in the near future. On Friday, Arab print media will be invited to a news conference about he matter as well. And this all took place in one week and reflects only the work of one of the six subcommittees which make up the Q4A.  a new website is being finalized to promote the cause but for now, AAF will host a section containing news and commentary on the Imam's story. Of course, what appears on AAF is not necessarily endorsed by A4Q.
If you would like to volunteer or have positive comments to offer, please drop us a note.  Time t o act is NOW!