Posted on 08/18/2005 11:47:54 AM PDT by Graybeard58
LOS ANGELES -- Officials are investigating whether an alleged terrorist plot to attack Los Angeles-area targets on Sept. 11 or Jewish holidays was organized by members of a militant Islamic state prison gang, a top law enforcement official said Wednesday.
Federal and local counterterrorism officials are examining possible ties between a Pakistani man arrested in Los Angeles and a prison gang known as Jamat Ul-Islam Is Saheeh, said George Gascon, assistant chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Investigators believe Hammad Riaz Samana, who was arrested Aug. 2, has communicated with former or current inmates at California State Prison, Sacramento, involved with the gang, Gascon said.
Samana's arrest followed an investigation in which authorities found what they believe was a terrorist target list after they arrested two men on suspicion of a series of gas station robberies in Los Angeles County. That list included three National Guard facilities, the Israeli Consulate and several synagogues.
Gascon said authorities believe the attacks were to be carried out on Sept. 11, the Jewish High Holidays or other dates, and warned the consulate and guard that their buildings were on the list.
"The plan was to assault, to commit terrorist acts against a variety of targets," Gascon said.
The list was found at the apartment of Levar Haney Washington, 25, of Los Angeles. Washington and Gregory Vernon Patterson, 21 were arrested July 5 and have pleaded not guilty to robbery charges. They have not been charged in the terrorism probe.
Federal officials have refused to say what charges Samana, 21, might face.
Cathy Viray, an FBI spokeswoman, would not comment on the investigation because it is still under way.
Washington was previously an inmate at the prison outside Sacramento and investigators are examining whether the suspected plot was organized by two inmates there: Peter Martinez, 36, who is serving a 40-year sentence for second-degree murder, and cellmate Kevin James, 29.
Investigators have briefed prison officials around California and are trying to determine whether other inmates were involved, Gascon said.
It was unclear what led authorities from Washington and Patterson to Samana.
The three men attended the same mosque in Inglewood, though they were not seen meeting as a group, according to Arshed Quazi, president of the Jamat-E-Masijidul Islam mosque. Samana attended the mosque after arriving in Los Angeles several years ago, Quazi said.
He is from the Karachi area of Pakistan and was studying at Santa Monica College.
"He's such a nice kid ... I'm shocked," said Quazi, adding that Samana stayed with his family across the street from the mosque.
Quazi said the FBI questioned him several weeks ago, asking him to identify photographs of the three men.
Patterson's attorney, Winston McKesson, said Patterson has no connection to extremist groups. A message left for Washington's attorney, Jerome Haig, was not immediately returned and Samana's lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment.
Two women who answered the door at an apartment listed for Samana across from the mosque, and who identified themselves as his relatives, would not comment.
What do these guys have against Mexicans?
Oh wait!! I forgot. Muslims like to cut people's heads off and blow up children.
And the next person who tells me that these terrorists are only the extreme fringe element is gonna make me freak out.
From an email I got:
The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the United States, especially in the minority races!
Allah or Jesus? by Rick Mathes
Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their belief systems.
I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say.
The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.
After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.
When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked, "Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"
There was no disagreement with my statements and without hesitation, he replied, "Non-believers!"
I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?"
The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
He sheepishly replied, "Yes."
I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!"
The Imam was speechless.
I continued, "I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and He wants you to be with me?"
True story or not, it sure makes me wonder about the "religion of peace".
"per capita" meaning per person, that statement doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
Like I said, true or not, Islam is a terrible religion. Sharia law alone is enough to make it unacceptable to most.
Evidence the rumors are true.
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