CIP-Backed Suit vs. Wahhabi Monopoly on Hiring of Muslim Prison Chaplains

CIP
October 16, 2005

http://www.islamicpluralism.org/407/cip-backed-suit-vs-wahhabi-monopoly-on-hiring-of-muslim

The Center for Islamic Pluralism has been associated since our inception with the below-referenced complaint of Shia Muslims incarcerated in the New York State prison system. The complaint focuses on the policy of employment of prison chaplains representing only one Muslim sect, i.e. Saudi-backed Wahhabism.

CIP recommends that all supporters of pluralistic Islam in America sign, forward, and repost this petition, which originates with Sheikh Kadhim Mohamad, a distinguished Shia scholar of Iraqi origin.

Selamaleykum and ramadan kerim,

Stephen Schwartz
Executive Director
Center for Islamic Pluralism

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From: [email protected]
Subject: URGENT: FOR ALL SHIA MUSLIMS
To: [email protected]

Brothers and Sisters of Islam:

THE AHLUL BAYT MOSQUE, INC., (formerly the "Brooklyn Mosque"), an American Shia Community of all nationalities comprised mostly of African American, West Indian and Hispanic American Shias (located in Downtown Brooklyn) URGENTLY needs your support for the Shia Muslim Inmates of the New York State Department of Corrections ("NYSDOC").

Shia Inmates are currently SUFFERING UNDUE HARDSHIPS in their struggle to practice Islam according to the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt.

Consequently, the Shia Community of the New York State prison system is currently in litigation against the NYSDOC (in Federal court) for violations of their religious rights, guaranteed by the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT MAY DRAMATICALLY CURTAIL THE ONGOING HARSH TREATMENT OF SHIA INMATES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE U.S. PRISON SYSTEM.

In this regard, below please find a link to an online Petition, which we respectfully request that you sign; however, the rules state that you should be a resident of the United States.

To sign the online Petition, please access it by clicking on the link below.

http://new.petitiononline.com/SNYSDOCS/petition.html

Finally, PLEASE "FORWARD" THIS EMAIL TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN IN ORDER FOR US TO OBTAIN AS MANY SIGNATURES AS POSSIBLE. Your participation will greatly facilitate the struggle to secure the religious rights of Shia Muslims in New York prison (and, potentially, throughout the United States).

Thank you very much for your support and may Allah (SWT) reward you for your efforts.

Sheikh Kadhim Mohamad
Islamic Scholar and Imam of the Ahlul Bayt Mosque, Inc.
543 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11217
Office: (718) 852-1390
Email: [email protected]

Related Topics:  Prisons, WahhabiWatch receive the latest by email: subscribe to the free center for islamic pluralism mailing list