Muslims view indictments as pieces in political game

Chicago Tribune ^ | 7-21-04 | David Heinzmann and Laurie Cohen

[SJackson]

The charging of 3 Islamic men in connection with terrorism financing draws an angry response in Bridgeview

As Muslim worshipers began to gather before noon for Friday prayers at the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, most expressed dismay and skepticism about the arrest of one of their own community, Muhammad Salah.

They dismissed the charges of terrorism as a political ploy intended to influence the November presidential election.

Salah, one of three men whose indictment was announced Friday by Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft, was arrested Thursday afternoon a few miles from the Bridgeview mosque.

Men on work breaks for Friday prayers and women dressed in traditional head scarves, with children in tow, said they reject the accusation that Salah, who lives on the top floor of a three-flat a block from the mosque, was involved in funding acts of terrorism in Israel.

"He has been just like any other member of the mosque, living and praying in the community. I saw him yesterday or the day before," said Rafeeq Jaber , a board member of the Mosque Foundation and president of the Islamic Association of Palestine.

Jaber called the allegations against Salah laughable but predictable. And like many people at prayers Friday, he said Ashcroft engineered Salah's indictment in an attempt to help the Bush administration politically.

"They obviously cannot find anything against Muslims in the war on terror, so they go after Muslims supporting the Palestinians," he said. "How dangerous is this man? He's been living here for 30 years, and now he can't even find a job to make a living."

[sheik yerbouty]

Tick, tock...

[o_zarkman44]

Your damn right its a political ploy! America is in a war to retain it's identity and ideals. Radical Muslims in America are our enemy. We will do whatever it takes to protect America from their attacks on our Democracy.
I support the party that openly fights our enemys. Muslims who openly support the enemy ARE the enemy in our eyes.
Strong leadership will not let the enemy over run our positions. America did not become a great nation by squirming like a weakling. We don't cater to those who want to destroy us. We destroy them. If Muslims living in America disagree with our approach, I would like to remind them they are free to leave.