For immediate Release

 NJ Community Leaders Demand Muslim Cleric Stay in America

Contact, Aref Assaf,  973-960-2673

West Orange, NJ, April 24, 2008:Having met and deliberated, a coalition representing a cross sector of religious leaders, civil rights organizations and public figures stands in brotherly solidarity with Imam Qatanani and his family as they deal with the uncertainty of their future in this country and the difficulties they are facing to lead a normal life.

Therefore, the undersigned call upon Mr. Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security to grant permanent residency to Imam Mohammad Qatanani, spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Passaic County. After nearly 13 years as an extraordinary voice of tolerance and compassion serving the wider community in Northern New Jersey, Imam Qatanani, the spiritual leader of the largest Islamic Center in New Jersey, faces the unjust prospect of deportation from the land of liberty and justice for all, the land that he and his family have grown to love and cherish.

The Imam has worked tirelessly to render the Christian-Jewish-Muslim dialogue a robust and flourishing relationship. He has hosted numerous open-houses at ICPC where prominent Christian and Jewish clergy attended. We dutifully recognize the Imam’s involvement in inviting leading political and law enforcement authorities to open up communication channels between the Muslim community and law enforcement authorities. In fact, he was the first to open the NJ Senate with a recitation of the Holy Quran.

It is further our unanimous belief that that the Imam is good for America and that his deportation will yield no tangible benefits. On the contrary, the Imam’s absence may revere years of hard work and great accomplishments on many fronts. The Imam’s deportation will have dire consequences for sorely needed ecumenical and interfaith peace and understanding.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, stand unequivocally stand in solidarity with Imam Qatanani's desire to remain in the United States. We pray that God almighty will provide sufficient guidance, prudence and encouragement to all those who have a say on the Imam’s fate to deliver justice for him ,  all his friends and supporters.

Signed: