Posted on 06/18/2004 4:56:06 PM PDT by blam
Large Gathering Prays With Convicted Imam
Friday June 18, 2004 11:46 PM
By M.R. KROPKO
Associated Press Writer
PARMA, Ohio (AP) - The leader of Ohio's largest mosque encouraged worshippers Friday to keep the faith in times of stress, a day after he was convicted of gaining U.S. citizenship by concealing past associations with terrorist organizations.
Fawaz Damra, 41, did not discuss his trial or conviction, but spoke of the Quran's teachings about justice and faith, members of the mosque said following the closed service.
Deem Alawan, a member of the Islamic Center of Cleveland, said nearly 1,500 people prayed with Damra, about double the normal turnout for an afternoon service on Friday - the weekly holy day for Islam.
``Today he gave a wonderful sermon on trusting in the faith of God and that things happen for reasons. He said to take our adverse moments with a smile,'' Alawan said. ``A lot of individuals gave him their support today.''
The Palestinian-born Damra, imam of the spacious, gold-dome mosque in this Cleveland suburb, could be sentenced to as much as five years in prison on Sept. 9 and be stripped of his citizenship, which could lead to deportation. He remains free on bond.
Defense lawyer John Cline has said Damra will continue a legal fight to be exonerated.
Prosecutors claimed that when Damra applied in 1993 for citizenship, he concealed ties to Afghan Refugee Services, the Islamic Committee for Palestine and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, groups the government classifies as terrorist organizations.
I will pray that God will free our nation of evil if at all possible. I feel that we are in enough trouble without the darkness of Islam. Just look at the rest of the world!
So9
Hopefully they got all the names taken down of those who attended. Now investigate them.
MOAB them!
Now ya talking!
God knows they are probably praying about murder and hatred to their moon god of murder and hatred.
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