www.Americans4Qatanani.org Progress report on the grassroots campaign to support Imam Mohammad Qatanani, Spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, NJ. Rally for Justice. Next date is June 2nd in Newark, NJ. See flyer Aref Assaf, spokesman, A4Q Media Relations
April 29, 2008 With the grace of God, the merciful, the most compassionate, the hard work of the last four months in support of Imam Mohamad Qatanani will culminate in the Rally For Justice which will take place, rain or shine, on May 8, 9, and 12 in Newark, NJ. Over a hundred or so volunteers of the Americans 4 Qatanani grassroots campaign have been tirelessly working to prepare for a successful, well organized and well attended popular showing of support for the Imam and his family. We are grateful for the immense help we have received from so many people, organizations and businesses who share our core belief that the Imam’s legal case is the entire community’s burden and responsibility. (See partial list below) This is not the time to relax our moral focus on what is at stake: If we do not participate in the rally, our enemies will only assume either our sense of defeat or our indifference to what is just and good. We do understand the possible hardship some will encounter taking off work to attend the rally. But we have all said the case is our case and our cause and it follows if we so believe it to be so, then no excuse will suffice. We must all attend in massive numbers. Your presence is important because the eyes of the judge, the prosecutors, and indeed the world will be focused on the streets across from the court room. We are attending to every detail to make your time fruitful and comfortable. To that end, we have secured a permit from the City of Newark to the Rally which will be organized from Kenny St. going to Broad St., then to Green St. Jumaa will be at Lincoln Park only. The Rally area is very close to the Federal building located at , where the courts proceedings will take place. We have arranged for buses to take you and your family from the Islamic center of Passaic County and other locations to the Rally site and return you there. Buses will leave around 8 AM so please be early. (See details below) We have also provided for all ancillary services such toilets, security, banners, vendors, and prayer areas. Bring your A4Q t-shirts to the Rally or you can buy one at the ICPC beforehand or at the Rally.We have a confirmed list of great and motivational speakers who will share their wit and wisdom with us all. Most prominent will be Imam Siraj Wahhaj who will deliver the sermon on Friday’s Jumma. The Friday Rally promises to be very crowded and we urge you to arrive early. We expect intense media coverage of the Rally and the court proceedings. We have a designated a team of Media Spokespersons who will be clearly identified by “Media” tags. Please refer all media inquires either to the stage or anyone wearing this tag. Security will be provided by the Newark police in collaboration with a team of volunteers who will be so identified. We will also have a group of attorneys present wearing ’Legal Aid’ tags to assist with legal matters. We will have sufficient quantity of American flags for use at the rally as well. And remember, rain or shine the Rally is on all three days from 8:00 till 1 PM. On Friday, the Rally will end after the Jumma prayer. The last three weeks witnessed an increased awareness of the Imam’s case. We continued to have media coverage which can be described as positive or neutral. The New York Times ran a story on the case on April 24th. The Star Ledger will run a story early next week. The now popular Qatanani documentary is out and can be viewed on Google Video and YouTube as well. Please view it and alert all your friends. We have also secured a very important statement of support from the NJ Commission on Civil Rights expressing its support for the Imam and urging full adherence to due process. Additionally, we have received one important resolution from the Paterson City Council and a Proclamation from the Mayor of Prospect Parks. (See a draft here). When added to the so many other testimonials and letters of support, no one can dispute the wide and truly impressive support the Imam has earned from his friends. Perhaps the most notable event took place on April 24, when over a hundred clergy leaders gathered at the Atrium in West Orange.(Video is available on the A4Q website) One speaker after another, the message being made was the same: the Imam is irreplaceable and his leadership is invaluable to all. The attendees concluded the event with a statement expressing their solidarity and support for the Imam and urging Federal officials to listen to the demands of the community and to do what is right. The Americans for Qatanani grassroots campaign will continue to work to ensure victory for the Imam because his win is our collective gain. Will you spare a few hours to show that you care and that you will stand for justice and what is right? Many of our friends will also be there. Won’t you? There may never another time to say so loudly that American Muslims will stand united against injustice and discrimination. Come ready to be recognized. Visit us on the web to learn more about what’s at stake: www.americans4qatanani.org or www.aafusa.org.
All media inquiries should be directed to Aref Assaf 973-960-3673.
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