Whispering Death
Active member
Short news report followed by commentary
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some U.S. Muslims worry about chill on free speech
A life sentence given Wednesday to a prominent Muslim scholar in Fairfax, Va., is raising concerns among some American Muslim leaders that their rights to free speech may be curbed.
In April, Ali al-Timimi was convicted of soliciting treason after he encouraged his followers to fight U.S. troops and join the Taliban immediately after the 9-11 attacks. He was also convicted for inducing others to use firearms.
A group of young Muslim men were also convicted of crimes related to the conspiracy. Called the "Virginia jihad network" by authorities, the men, over whom prosecutors said al-Timimi had influence, played paintball games in 2000 and 2001 and were said to be training for holy war.
The life sentence came as a surprise to area Muslims.
"This is like being convicted of murder, even though you haven't killed anyone," said Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, outreach director of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va.
Abdul-Malik said although many Muslims found some of the scholar's statements inappropriate, "we never thought that impropriety on the part of al-Timimi's speech, whether protected by the First Amendment or not, would be matched by such a severe sentence."
At his mosque Wednesday night, Abdul-Malik said, he observed "a numbing effect" among members who were "shocked" at the severity of the sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Kromberg said Timimi "deserves every day of the time he will serve. ... Timimi hates the United States and calls for its destruction. He is allowed to do that [in the U.S.]. He is not allowed to solicit treason."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The problem with "good" non-violent muslims, in my opinion, is how they always support their kind, even when it is someone who is actively supporting the killing of American serviemen from WITHIN America! We've heard of numerous fatwas and holy wars against America but even after 9/11 there arn't many in the islamic community who issue fatwas against Bin Laddin instead trying to turn the discussion into racism and how Americans are beating up on muslims. I think most Americans think that most muslims are good but after 4 years of this kind of stuff how much will it take to push them over the edge into full blown hatred of the muslim community?
What do you think about all of this?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some U.S. Muslims worry about chill on free speech
A life sentence given Wednesday to a prominent Muslim scholar in Fairfax, Va., is raising concerns among some American Muslim leaders that their rights to free speech may be curbed.
In April, Ali al-Timimi was convicted of soliciting treason after he encouraged his followers to fight U.S. troops and join the Taliban immediately after the 9-11 attacks. He was also convicted for inducing others to use firearms.
A group of young Muslim men were also convicted of crimes related to the conspiracy. Called the "Virginia jihad network" by authorities, the men, over whom prosecutors said al-Timimi had influence, played paintball games in 2000 and 2001 and were said to be training for holy war.
The life sentence came as a surprise to area Muslims.
"This is like being convicted of murder, even though you haven't killed anyone," said Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, outreach director of Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va.
Abdul-Malik said although many Muslims found some of the scholar's statements inappropriate, "we never thought that impropriety on the part of al-Timimi's speech, whether protected by the First Amendment or not, would be matched by such a severe sentence."
At his mosque Wednesday night, Abdul-Malik said, he observed "a numbing effect" among members who were "shocked" at the severity of the sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Kromberg said Timimi "deserves every day of the time he will serve. ... Timimi hates the United States and calls for its destruction. He is allowed to do that [in the U.S.]. He is not allowed to solicit treason."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The problem with "good" non-violent muslims, in my opinion, is how they always support their kind, even when it is someone who is actively supporting the killing of American serviemen from WITHIN America! We've heard of numerous fatwas and holy wars against America but even after 9/11 there arn't many in the islamic community who issue fatwas against Bin Laddin instead trying to turn the discussion into racism and how Americans are beating up on muslims. I think most Americans think that most muslims are good but after 4 years of this kind of stuff how much will it take to push them over the edge into full blown hatred of the muslim community?
What do you think about all of this?