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A Word of Support
Aref Assaf
April 10, 2008
I trekked to Newark, NJ recently
to appear at the March 11, 2008 meeting
of the New Jersey Commission on Civil
Rights. I had one particular aim in mind: To bring to the Commission’s attention the plight of
Dr. Mohammad Mahdi
Qatanani who is facing deportation from the United
States. Working under the umbrella of the Americans4Qatanani
grassroots organization, I have been leading
the media efforts to publicize the grassroots support for the
Imam. We have engaged the local, national and world media in a most proactive fashion
rendering several front page articles, two positive editorials,
several op-ed pieces and many letters. When the Associated Press released their story
about the Imam, several thousand media outlets picked it up as well.
The New York Times will print one short article soon and
another in depth expose soon after the trail ends. We even
released the
Qatanani video, a-twelve- minute digital encapsulation of
the Imam's story and the popular support for his cause.
The Commission listened to my testimony rather
intently as I apprised them of the multi faceted angles of the
Imam's ordeals. I reminded them that a few years back, I appeared
before them to solicit their support for the creation of the
Arab Heritage Commission and that they came through and now
we stand to see the dream come true. I urged them to issue
a rather general statement of support fully cognizant of
their mandate and the legal implications of their position.
Three weeks passed by and we were elated
to have received
their official statement which said in part:
"Having been given the
opportunity to review the information and background on Dr.
Qatanani, the New Jersey Commission on Civil Rights extends best
wishes to Dr. Qatanani for success in obtaining permission to
remain in the United States." Click
here to
read the full letter.
The official letter of support was sent to
Claudia Slovinsky , the attorney for the Imam who will in turn
submitted it to the presiding judge and other relevant
authorities. Click here
to see the full text of that letter.
I was immensely helped by Mr. Frank Vespa,
Director of the NJ Division on Civil Rights, who facilitated the
quick meeting and to Commission member, Mr. Hani Mawla whose short by important
statement allayed any concerns the other members of the
Commission may have had. The letter while short on details
carries a tremendous weight because it carries the seal of John
Corzine, the
Governor of the State, who himself had publicly recognized the
Imam's important community contributions.
We have since submitted a more elaborate draft
of a resolution to
the City Council of Paterson which we hope to have signed
into o law in a few days. Mr. Salah Mustafa is leading the
efforts coordinate the quick passage of the resolution.
Having a well organized plan, being lucky to
have friends in the right places and above a fight for just
cause, can lead to happy endings. We look forward to celebrate
with the Imam on May 8 his victory and ours.
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