Free Republic

The 30-year reign of Shamsud-din Ali, the once politically connected Muslim cleric who rubbed elbows with Mayor Street, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady and Gov. Rendell, is over at a West Philadelphia mosque. In a court-supervised election on Saturday, registered Muslims voted 160-143 for a new seven-member board headed by Ali's one-time top aide Rafiq Kalam Id-din.

Philly Cleric Sentenced for Corruption By JOANN LOVIGLIO, Associated Press Writer Mon Sep 19, 2:12 PM ET A prominent Muslim cleric on Monday was sentenced to more than seven years in prison on racketeering and other charges, the latest in a string of convictions stemming from the FBI's sweeping probe of municipal corruption. Prosecutors said that Shamsud-din Ali, 67, used his political connections to obtain dubious loans, donations and city contracts. In addition to his 87-month sentence, Ali was ordered to pay restitution. He was released pending an appeal. The investigation of the so-called "pay to play" culture in Philadelphia's...

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A local religious leader was convicted Tuesday of using political connections to obtain illegal loans, donations and municipal contracts - the latest in a string of victories for prosecutors who have attacked the so-called "pay to play" culture of Philadelphia's city government. Shamsud-din Ali, 67, the leader of a Philadelphia mosque, was accused of leading a criminal enterprise that generated tens of thousands of dollars through extortion, bribery and political connections. Authorities said his victims included the city, a community college, a bank, a car dealership and two waste-hauling companies that were seeking city contracts. After six...