Afghans at Queens Mosque Split Over bin Laden

The New York Times ^ | Sept. 19, 2001 | DEXTER FILKINS

[Freedom of Speech Wins]

But our politicians don't have the guts to do anything about the terrorists in our midst.

Worse having terrorists here than in Afghanistan and Iraq even.

[NYAfghan]

Hi guys, I am an Afghan currently residing in the United States. I would like to clarify this article because I was there and know what was actually going on.

The imam, mentioned above, was hired to be a spiritual leader, he used his power to illegal raise money, which he used for his own expenses (home, carpets, etc). When ATIFA, the founders of the mosque, proven in the Supreme Court Case, wished to fire the imam, he began making ridiculous accusations so he could keep his position.

ATIFA, or the "breakaway" faction definitely did not and do not support the Taliban or Osama Bin Laden in any way. In fact, they are mainly composed of ethnic Uzbeks, Uzbeks who composed a large portion of the Northern Alliance that helped the US oust the Taliban in 2001.

The imam, who is an ethnic Pashtun himself, (you begin to see the hypocrisy and irony) kicked those who opposed him out of the mosque by force, with verbal and physical abuse, hence the ousted members were forced to pray in the basement and parking lot of the very building they constructed.

When the Supreme Court decision was made in the summer of 2004, everyone saw quite clearly that the mosque was founded and owned by ATIFA, but because of hate of Uzbeks that these people have had ever since living in Afghanistan, they continue to cause as much trouble and controversy as they can and still proceed to make baseless accusations.

I hope I have cleared up some of the misconceptions that this article has created in those that have read it, but that is the truth and I encourage everyone to establish the credibility of a source before believing it a 100 percent. Thank you.