COMMUNITY NEWS
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The Muslim Link, December 19, 2008
Muslim Cleric’s Lawyers Challenge Surveillance Program, Conviction By Jerry Markon
Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, December 17, 2008; B08 Attorneys for a prominent Muslim spiritual leader convicted on terrorism charges said yesterday that they have evidence that he was wiretapped under the Bush administration’s warrantless surveillance program, and they have asked a judge to declare the program illegal. The filing in U.S. District Court in Alexandria is the latest development in a nearly threeyear battle over whether Ali al-Timimi was a
subject of the now-defunct National Security Agency anti-terrorist operation. Timimi, of Fairfax County, was convicted in 2005 of inciting his Northern Virginia followers to train for jihad against the United States and was sentenced to life in prison. Timimi’s attorneys are using the controversial surveillance program to challenge his conviction, saying the Islamic scholar was a likely candidate for wiretapping. If he was, they say, that would have violated his constitutional rights because the program was illegal. Bush has said the program, under which the NSA monitored phone calls and e-mails involving U.S. residents and foreign parties without obtaining warrants from a
secret court that handles such matters, was legal and necessary to protect Americans from terrorists. In yesterday’s filing, Timimi’s attorneys wrote that “it has been established that surveillance related to Dr. al-Timimi was gathered under NSA’s warrantless surveillance program and potentially other agencies.” They did not specify the evidence, which has been litigated in secret proceedings since a federal appeals court sent the case back to the trial judge to explore the matter in 2006. Federal prosecutors declined to comment and have said previously that they provided Timimi’s defense all material required by law. In a hearing in October, U.S. District Judge
Leonie M. Brinkema said the government might have violated federal rules by failing to turn over relevant evidence to the defense. But she also indicated that she is unlikely to grant Timimi a new trial. Andrew McBride, a former federal prosecutor in Alexandria, said Brinkema might decline to rule on parts of yesterday’s motion because “the issue of the program’s legality isn’t really before her. What’s at issue is: Did they give the defense what they recorded, and would that have affected the outcome of the trial.” [Source: Washington Post, December 17, 2008 Metro Section]
Taqwa Needs Patience to Get Deen MAS Freedom Announces Return of ‘The at Baltimore Bball Tournament Crescent Report’ on New World Radio By Karim Amin Muslim Link Contributing Writer The Crisp air whipped through between the cavernous buildings that surround the Lake Clifton gym. This Gym stands as a testament to the history of great basketball in Baltimore. Basketball stars like Carmelo Anthony and Reggie Lewis have earned their stripes playing in this building. Today it was the Muslim’s turn. Teams from up and down the east coast battled for the title of the Saif ul Bar Abdullah Basketball tournament. This is the second year for the tournament named in memory of Brother Saifulbarr Abdullah Muslim, an active brother and avid Basketball player from Baltimore who passed away in 2006. This tournament was created to reinforce the brotherhood and athleticism that Brother Saif was known for. Six teams from the Baltimore, Washington and as far away as New York battled for this year’s crown. The tournament is single elimination so every game counts. Scores of fans watched as each team gave its all to win the title. One of the first games between
Iqamatideen of Baltimore and Masjid DarlTaqwa of New York went to the wire, only being decided by two points.
Hosted by Imam Mahdi Bray and co-hosted by Ibrahim Abdil-Mu’id Ramey Beginning Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 11:30AM
Excited smiles turned into concerned frowns as teams were eliminated. The Championship game came down to a battle between last years Champion Team Deen and the upstart, Taqwa team from Columbia. Taqwa gave its all shooting their patented three pointers and scrapping with the strong Deen team. As if the game wasn’t enough excitement, at half time fans were treated to an inspiring song by Native Deen member Naeem Muhammed.
WASHINGTON, DC (MASNET) Dec. 16, 2008 - MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), announces the return of “The Crescent Report” live via New World Radio (WUST 1120 AM), the Multi-Cultural Voice of the nation’s Capitol, beginning Sunday, December 21, 2008.
The Deen team and Taqwa battled throughout the second half trading baskets mixed in with crowd pleasing dunks. However in the end the Deen Team proved to be too much for the upstart Taqwa team winning the Championship game 55 - 43. Ismail of the Deen team summed the tournament up best. “Taqwa really came to play. They Challenged us more than we expected. I loved that Naeem ( Native Deen) rocked the crowd . Over all I enjoyed playing with my Muslim brothers. I hope more people come out next year.”.
The area’s only Muslim hosted talk radio program in the greater Washington metropolitan area, The Crescent Report hosted by MAS Freedom Executive Director Mahdi Bray and co-hosted by MAS Freedom’s Civil and Human Rights Director Ibrahim Abdil-Mu’id Ramey - will be broadcast live every Sunday from 11:30AM-12:00PM. The Crescent Report, formerly hosted on Amin Radio, was one of Washington’s most listened to programs with media accolades in the LA Times, Washington Post and Al-Jazeerah and received a special Red Cross Public Service Award for its broadcast during the first two tragic weeks of the September 11 tragedy.
Additional information on how to find rebroadcasts of “The Crescent Report” on the Islamic Broadcasting Network (IBN) and IslamOnline will be announced soon. New World Radio - WUST 1120 AM - Washington, DC’s live audio website broadcasts live in over 17 languages, and is the only station serving the metropolitan Washington area, including the capital city, suburban Virginia and Maryland and the city of Baltimore with programming oriented to the area’s varied ethnic communities. To l i s t e n t o W U S T 11 2 0 A M programming live you will need Windows Media Player for PC or Macintosh. For additional information contact MAS Freedom at (202) 552-7414, (703) 6426265 or 1-888-627-8471 for additional information. Email inquiries can be sent to MAS.Freedom@yahoo.com. Make a Pledge Today to Support MAS Freedom by sending you tax-deductible donation online or by sending your check or money order to: MAS Freedom, 1325 G Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.
Muslim Link Wins Journalism Awards The Muslim Link took first place in Immigration reporting and two honorable mentions in other journalism categories at the first New America Media awards ceremony in the DC region. New America Media is the country’s first and largest national collaboration and advocate of 2000 ethnic news organizations. Over 51 million ethnic adults connect to each other, to home countries and to America through 3000+ ethnic media, the fastest growing sector of American journalism. Founded by the nonprofit Pacific News Service in 1996, NAM is headquartered in California with offices in New York and
Washington D.C., and partnerships with journalism schools to grow local associations of ethnic media.
the child’s name. After intense media scrutiny and ridicule, the government eventually allowed the child to enter the country.
The Muslim Link, a new NAM member, answered a call for submissions earlier this fall, submitting eight original news articles and editorials appearing in issues during the past year.
“Alhumdulillah, we are very happy that the value of our stories and the hard work of our reporters and contributors stands out among the thousands of alternative media outlets in the nation. Being in the thick of our work, we often forget the impact we have in the community. We ask Allah to continue blessing our newspaper, allow it to grow and flourish, and we ask our readers to continue their support,” commented editor Minhaj Hasan.
Sister Farkhunda Ali, a regular Muslim Link correspondent and staff writer, took top honors in the Immigration reporting category for her coverage of a Virginia Muslim couple’s tribulation stemming from the US government’s refusal to allow their 3-year old son into the country due to a security flag on
See also: D.C. Honors Ethnic Media, Community Storytellers, pg 11
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