FYI- 03-21-2000 I have known Imam Jamil for about ten years and what he is accused of is out of his character in my own personal opinion and from my halal business transactions/relationship Habib Diab Ghanim, SR Press Relaese MUSLIM GROUPS TO MONITOR TRIAL OF IMAM JAMIL AL-AMIN Islamic leaders concerned that justice is served, facts be revealed (WASHINGTON, DC, 3/21/2000) - Leaders of national American Muslim organizations, along with representatives from the community of Imam Jamil Al-Amin, held a news conference in reaction to the arrest of Al-Amin and several others Monday night in Alabama. Authorities allege that Al-Amin was involved in a shooting incident late Thursday in Atlanta, Ga., that left one sheriff's deputy dead and another critically wounded. A joint statement issued at the news conference read in part: "We are not here today to judge the guilt or innocence of any party to this tragic series of events. Just as we do not prejudge, we ask that others wait until all the facts are known. In America, as in Islam, anyone accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty. "At this point, the role of the Muslim community is four-fold. "First, we wish to remind everyone of Imam Jamil Al-Amin's long-standing role as a community leader who had a positive impact on the lives of so many people. The charges against Imam Jamil are especially troubling because they are inconsistent with what is known of his moral character and past behavior as a Muslim. "Second, we want to ensure that Imam Jamil receives proper legal representation. To that end, we will offer our services to his legal team in Atlanta. This team will then address all aspects of the case. "Third, we will see that his trial is monitored by observers who will insist that any legal proceedings be fair and impartial. We also believe that this process can best take place in a location that allows Imam Jamil to be tried by a jury of his peers. "Finally, we make note of a past incident in which Imam Jamil was apparently falsely accused of a similar, though far less serious crime. At that time, the alleged victim recanted and claimed that he was pressured by the authorities to name Imam Jamil as the perpetrator. "Our ultimate goal is to see that justice is done. As it says in the Quran, Islam's revealed text: 'O you who believe. Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to God...'" (Quran, 2:135) - END - SPONSORS: American Muslim Council (AMC) Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Muslim American Society (MAS), Salman Saeed ----- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------