Dr. Aref Assaf's letter to Dr. James Zogby, president of AAI

March 22, 2008

Dr. James Zogby
President
American Arab Institute
Washington, DC

Dear Dr. Zogby:

My Imam, Dr. Mohammad Qatanani of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, was deeply touched by your thoughtful gesture and the kind words of support you offered at your last telephone conversation. You join an impressive roster of important figures who have come to the aid of the Imam. The list is growing and it includes congressmen, senators, elected officials, religious, and public figures.

As his personal friend, as an activist in the community and as Spokesman for the Americans for Qatanani grassroots campaign, I wholeheartedly welcome and indeed encourage your support of this matter. Your advice would be very valuable to our work.

We believe we have a winnable case but also we recognize that our community has been shaken to its core. What kind of an Arab Muslim does our government want if it rejects those who have steadfastly advocated moderation and political participation? We recognize the Imam’s case has a legal component that must defend in court set for May 8-12, 2008.

Omissions and incorrect answers on immigration forms are not so uncommon and are usually dealt with in a legal and compassionate manner. The Imam has always been truthful and forthright in his dealings with the immigration and FBI officials. But we also recognize the possibility of a political motivation (mis)guiding the government’s efforts. It is our intention to tell those in Washington who are pursuing the deportation case, that the Imam is good for America. His departure will signal a serious reversal of the tremendous accomplishments achieved under his leadership and with his blessings.

The Imam’s case stands to define our community’s resolve to defend its rights. That is why, in addition to the legal defense team lead by immigration Attorney Claudia Slovinsky, we have established a grassroots organization, Americans for Qatanani (A4Q) to mobilize popular and institutional support for the Imam. The A4Q is comprised of committed individuals who appreciate the value of an organized effort to communicate the community’s demands.

I hope to be able to share with you our progress and our proactive and goal-oriented strategy. Important, we hope to convey our faith in the  fairness and universality of our justice system in spite of the continued onslaught on our community’s sense of pride and dignity. We will leave no stone unturned to exonerate our Imam and to wipe off the curse of suspicion of our community’s collective head.

I eagerly await your call sometime next week at 973-960-2673. Here is a link to pertinent articles on the Imam’s plight we in the Media Committee have accomplished thus far. Other committees have made significant strides in raising funds, seeking political endorsements, signing petitions etc.

Respectfully,

Aref Assaf, PhD
Spokesman
Americans For Qatanani

P.S. Thank you for your continued leadership on so many of our pressing issues, the least of which the harassment of American citizens of Arab descent while traveling to Israel. As you may know, American Arab Forum has signed onto the letter you delivered recently to Secretary Rice.