Head of Muslim Chaplain Program headed to Syria with cash (Abdurahman Alamoudi)

NBC News ^ | 10/22/03 | Lisa Myers (NBC News)

[Seeking the truth]

ABDURAHMAN ALAMOUDI is a prominent American Muslim leader, welcomed by presidents and founder of the Muslim chaplain program for the U.S. military.

Now he's in jail, caught heading to Syria with $340,000 in cash, money prosecutors believe came from Libya. According to FBI counterterrorism chief Steve Pomerantz, “It's very hard to explain in any innocent way a suitcase full of money going from one terrorist-sponsoring nation to another terrorist-sponsoring nation.”

AUDIOTAPE EXAMINED U.S. investigators speculated in court that the money was headed for Hamas or another terror group in Syria. A British document obtained by NBC News describes Alamoudi as “evasive” and at one point untruthful when caught with the cash in London.

But May Kheder, Alamoudi's lawyer, insists the money was legally obtained and not intended for terrorism. “Dr. Alamoudi maintains that he has no connection whatsoever to any terrorist activity,” Kheder says.

However, in an audiotape of a conversation obtained by NBC News, Alamoudi seems to embrace violence. Speaking Arabic, Alamoudi criticizes Osama bin Laden — not for acts of violence, but for his choice of targets, specifically the bombing of the U.S. embassies in Africa. A translator quotes Alamoudi as saying, “Many African Muslims have died and not a single American died.”

In fact, 12 Americans were killed. Alamoudi adds, “I prefer to hit a Zionist target in America, or Europe, or elsewhere.”

WHITE HOUSE PROTEST When a partial transcript of the same tape was read in court, Alamoudi's lawyer said the remarks were part of a two-hour conversation. She now tells NBC her client doesn't remember ever saying such things.

At a protest outside the White House in 2000, he did support terrorist groups. On tape, he's heard saying, “Hear that, Bill Clinton. We are all supporters of Hamas. Allah Akbar!”

So far, the criminal case against Alamoudi does not touch on his role in the chaplain program. But the allegations against him intensify concerns about the selection of Muslim chaplains, since Alamoudi served as a consultant to the Pentagon on the program until his recent arrest.

[ppaul]

The US Government does not determine legitimate denominations based on theology. It is determined on the basis of a significant number of adherents and the ability to put forward representatives trained to the level required for any other chaplain.

So some "chaplain" of the "White Identity Church of Jesus Christ-Christian" religion of the Aryian Nations or Nazis would qualify, I suppose.
And the taxpayer has to pay for it.
Sick.

[xzins]

They would have to have a significant number of adherents, have someone trained to the standards of the Chaplaincy, and have an organization that made contact with the US military to set up an endorsing agency.

In the case of "hate" groups, there are provisions that prevent their presence based on Army regulations concerning morale....the "good order and discipline" regs.

Satanists, for example, are not permitted to use the chapels because their practices, which require the desecrating of the space of Christians, is considered hateful, and therefore, contrary to "good order and discipline."

This is not really discriminatory in that orthodox Jews also require space separate from that of any other groups. Likewise, Muslims require separate space.

[happygrl]

I hear you Chaplain.

The Muslims in this country must be (or should be) full of shame at such incidents. If they want to be considered legitimate by their fellow citizens, they had better set their house in order and fast.

The Chaplain corp may be small, but it has proven to be an invaluable and laudatory asset to our soldiers.

I can't imagine the Armed Forces without them, and I would hate to see the corps as a whole put in any kind of jeopardy because of the actions of a few.

As a teenager, I participated in PYOC and had good experiences. One of the great aspects of being a military brat was being exposed to other Christian (including Catholic) denominations and appreciating our shared beliefs and love for the nation that God's Providence has made us a part of. I will leave it at that, with the comment that American Muslims have a mixed record in this respect.

[happygrl]

Hey, I like your monicker !

He is Risen, indeed !

[happygrl]

WOW!

This guy had his finger in almost all prominent Muslim ventures interfluencing Amercan views on Muslims.

What a great trove of info. Rita Katz, (a pseudonym) has done exemplary work in exposing this teasonous web of influence.

I hope she is well disguised and protected.

Thanks for the info.

[swarthyguy]

>>She now tells NBC her client doesn't remember ever saying such things.

That's prolly because he used to say those things so much he can't remember that specific time.

Well, all his SaudiAmerican buddies couldn't save him. A TV report mentioned that the FBI had been stymied since early 2002 when they had intially wanted to arrest both AlArian and ALamoudi.

[swarthyguy]

a scathing report

Scathing. Heck, they can't even get FAA records for 9/11. Not to mention Papa Bush's buddy, James Baker, defending the Saudis against the family victims. And the general stonewalling, coverup and protection of the Saudis.