Aref Assaf, How can I thank you?, Let me count the Ways

March 5, 2008

The Record

Re: Don't deport the Imam editorial, March 5, 2008

Dear Mr. Doblin:

I am reading a children’s book to my 4 years old daughter tilted ‘How Much I love you, Let me Count the Ways”.

Let me thank you for the Record’s great and positive reporting by Liz Llorrente on the Imam’s case, a case that stands to define our community’s sense of fairness and honor.

Let me thank you for your editorial in support of the Imam by demanding a fair immigration hearing and solid evidence presented by law enforcement. The Imam’s good name and reputation have been tarnished and the community’s confidence in our place in this country has been shaken to its core. We know that once the facts are presented and challenged in court, the Imam and our people will  be vindicated from the curse of ‘aiding terrorism”. Guilt by association is religious lynching of the worst kind.

And finally, let me thank you for just being there to say what is right even if it’s not politically or economically expedient.

 Thank you, Shukran

Aref Assaf, PhD

American Arab Forum

www.aafusa.org