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Tariq Mehanna: October 25, 2012 (The Happiest People on Earth)

بِسْــــــــــــــــــمِ اﷲِالرَّحْمَنِ اارَّحِيم

Today is the day of ‘Arafah.

The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “The greatest supplication is the supplication of the day of ‘Arafah, and the best thing I and the Prophets before me ever said is

لا الهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيْكَ لَهْ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلى كُلِّ شَئ ٍ قَدِيْرٌ

‘La ilaha ill Allah, Wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulk wa lahu al-hamd, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadir’

[There is none worthy of worship but Allah; He has no partners; the kingdom is His, all praise is for Him, and He is Able to do all things].”

The existence of our Creator, Allah, the realization of His immense power, and singling Him out for submission and worship – known in Arabic as “Tawhid” – is what this day revolves around. In fact, it is what our existence on this Earth revolves around.

All indications are that the secular/”democratic”/capitalist/Western/whatever ideological experiment of the past few centuries to bring some meaning and happiness to humanity has ended in dismal failure. The main purveyor of this ideology (also known as “freedom”), America has become an exhausted, depressed, delusional, paranoid, debt-ridden, and overall hypocritical entity with dark circles under its eyes, and has proven itself unfit to lead humanity.

It’s time to try something new.

Tomorrow is the holiday of ‘Id al-Adha. Like other holidays, it will come and go. But for a Muslim – for an adherent to Tawhid – everyday is a cause for celebration and happiness. A Muslim from the early generations, al-Hasan al-Basri said: “Each day that a believer spends obeying his Protector (Allah), remembering Him and thanking Him, is a cause for celebration (a ‘Id).” If you learn where you came from, why you are here, and where you are going, the underlying themes of your waking moments will be nothing but tranquillity and joy. This will apply to all levels of existence (you as an individual, society, etc.).

I write these words while leaning my back against the cinder blocks which constitute the walls of my prison cell, right under a window overlooking a brick wall and razor wire fence, under a pale gray sky. Many other Muslims are also here and in various other prisons scattered around the globe. Others are putting their lives on the line each day, fighting to defend and protect humanity’s final hope for meaning and happiness – Islam. The world’s most powerful government is doing everything it can to wipe us out, along with that hope…but for some reason, we remain the happiest people on Earth.

There is none worthy of worship but Allah, and He has no partners. The kingdom is His, all praise is His, and He is Able to do all things.

 

Tariq Mehanna
On the day of ‘Arafah
Thursday, 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1433 (25th of October 2012)
Terre Haute CMU
United States Federal Prison

 

Tariq Mehanna #05315-748
FCI Terre Haute
Federal Correctional Institution
PO Box 33
Terre Haute, IN 47808
USA
 
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Posted by on October 25, 2012 in Letters from Tariq Mehanna, Risala

 

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Tarek Mehanna Campaign Denounces Witch-Hunt and Bribes for Capture of Co-defendant, Ahmad Abousamra

Three years after returning to his ancestral homeland in Syria, Ahmad Abousamra was indicted in absentia with Tariq Mehanna. This 2009 indictment is the very same document that inspired the theatrical press conference by US Attorneys to unleash on the public a non-existent but undeniably dramatic plot of a mall shooting spree.

Now three years later, a new drama unfolds, featuring the release of a poorly produced public announcement in search of the alleged fugitive, “Aa-Maad” Abousamra.

Of note in the grander scheme of criminal activity is that the FBI field office in Boston is in pursuit of several fugitives; a convicted murderer who stabbed a man to death, a man who shot and beat a police chief to death, a man wanted for the molestation of three young girls, and a man wanted for the repeated rape of two young boys, who, sadly, is the only other fugitive with a reward offer and at half of that of Abousamra’s.

Yet none of the above mentioned were worthy of a video and a vast effort to spread a global campaign of media alerts and social networking awareness, especially when it seems as though a potential serial-child-rapist in one’s own backyard is a more eminent threat than a man who is not even accused of committing an act of violence, living in a foreign country. The disproportionate attention given to Abousamra and Mehanna only glaringly illustrates the political nature of such prosecutions.

As such, the video regurgitates the same conjectures of Abousamra’s supposed intentions that are found in indictments and press releases; the ‘wanted’ video merely adds a visual dimension to the propaganda.

Viewers are primed in anticipation when the video alert reveals an upcoming audio clip. What would they hear when the “armed and dangerous” Ahmad Abousamra, a man who’s crime was to believe in “the glory of dying on the battlefield,” speaks?        Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted by on October 13, 2012 in Campaigns, News Items

 

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Free Tarek Campaign: Our Response to Tariq’s Statment & Sentencing

What follows is the response to Tariq Mehanna’s Statement as well as the sentencing itself from our friends at the Free Tarek! Campaign:

‘Thank you for your continued support of Tarek and his family. Today was, in many ways, easier than the day we received the verdict. We went in expecting the worst, expecting life without parole. Throughout this trial we saw firsthand the manipulation and lies the government is capable of. We were outraged by the utter unfairness of his conviction. It seemed only fitting that his sentencing would play out in the same manner.

We are relieved to announce that Tarek received a shorter sentence than we expected: 210 months (17.5 years) instead of life without parole. But even still, this is not acceptable. Tarek does not deserve to be in prison for even one day. We will not just wait around idly for the years to pass for Tarek to be free; we will continue to fight, and we implore you to join us.

This isn’t over. But would it have been over if Tarek had received a “time served” sentence and walked out of that courtroom with us today? Even then, we would be compelled to keep fighting. This is bigger than Tarek and it’s bigger than his family; it affects all of you reading this. For there is still no justice for Aafia Siddiqqi and Ziyad Yaghi and Omar Khadr and the Newburgh Four and the Fort Dix Five, and I’m sorry to say the list goes on and will keep going on if we think the fighting here is done. And in case you think you are safe from such morbid overreaches of the government because you don’t have a Mohamed or an Ahmed in your family, I’d like to remind you of the Martin Niemoller poem that starts, “First they came for the communists, but I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist,” and ends “and then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.
Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted by on April 17, 2012 in News Items

 

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Tariq Mehanna: April 12, 2012 (Sentencing Statement* Delivered from Moakley Federal Courthouse)

In the name of God the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

It was four years ago this month that I was finishing a work shift at a local hospital, and as I was walking out to my car, two federal agents approached me, and they said that I had a choice to make. They said I could do things the easy way, or I could do them the hard way. The “easy” way, as they explained, was that I become an informant for the government, and if I did so I would never have to see the inside of a courtroom or a prison cell. The hard way is what you see before you. Here I am, having spent the majority of the four years since that day, in a solitary cell, the size of a small closet, in which I am locked down for twenty-three hours a day, living with rapists and murderers and home invaders and child molesters. The FBI and these prosecutors worked very hard – and the government spent millions of tax dollars – to put me in that cell, to keep me there, to put me on trial, and finally to have me stand here before you today to be sentenced to even more time in a cell.

In the weeks leading up to this moment, many people have given me thier suggestions as to what it is I should say to you. Some suggested that I should plead for mercy in hopes of a light sentence, others suggested I’m going to be hit hard either way. What I want to do for the next couple minutes is simply talk about myself.

When I refused to become an informant, the government responded by charging me with the “crime” of supporting the Mujahidin fighting the occupation of Muslim countries around the world. Or, as they like to call them, the “terrorists.” But I wasn’t born in any Muslim country. I was born and raised right here, in America, and this is something that angers many people: that I could be an American and believe the things I believe, and say the things that I say, and take the positions I take. But everything a man is exposed to in his environment is like an ingredient which shapes his outlook and shapes his life one way or another, and I’m no different. So, in more ways than one, it’s because of America that I am who I am. Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted by on April 16, 2012 in Letters from Tariq Mehanna, News Items, Risala

 

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Tariq Mehanna: February 2012 (Tariq & the Truth on ‘Terrorism’ in his Trial)

My arrest and trial had little to do with “terrorism.”

The overwhelming majority of “terrorism” cases in America can fit into a category in which the FBI picks the gullible Muslim youth, sends an undercover agent to “befriend” him, and over a period of time, prod him to agree to carry out some attack. The agreement is recorded on tape. The undercover FBI agent offers the kid weapons, and arrests him as soon as he is about to proceed with the so-called “plot.” While the intended impression is that the Feds swooped in to save the day, the reality is that they “foiled” their own plot. An artificial victory, and this is the formula which you see every other day when you read the news, whose purpose is to compensate for the lack of authentic “terror plots.”

The government attempted this strategy with me, but failed. This has been one of the most underreported aspects of my case, despite it being in the public record. This is what happened:  Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted by on February 25, 2012 in Letters from Tariq Mehanna, Risala

 

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Mehanna Family Statement on Tariq’s Innocence

Today, my older brother Tarek will go on trial and face life in prison because of his religious and political beliefs. Let me say this at the outset: we believe Tarek was targeted for such treatment because he refused to become an informant against the American-Muslim community that he grew up in, worshipped in and with whom he shares strong bonds. But first I want to tell you a little bit about my brother.

Like me, he was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When he was seven years old our family moved to Sudbury, Massachusetts. He graduated from Lincoln-Sudbury high School, where he took classes like anthropology and auto shop. He was a huge fan of the rock band Nirvana and he liked to play the guitar and drums. Later he would attend and graduate from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where my father is a well-loved professor and from where I graduated as well.

Like many American families my brother and I followed in the footsteps of a parent.

And like many Americans there came a time when Tarek began to take a greater interest in his faith and history and seriously dedicated himself to study of religious and historical texts. In Tarek’s case this was in the winter of 2001. As we all know, shortly thereafter, the United States invaded the Muslim countries of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Like millions of Americans, Tarek was especially appalled by the war on and subsequent occupation of Iraq. And make no mistake, he, like many Americans—both Muslim and otherwise—was angry.

And he was not shy about expressing his opinions. Because, being an American, he of course knew that this was his right; he knew that in America we honor freedom of speech.

In fact, as you will hear in this trial, my brother, who was fully aware that the federal government was monitoring his conversations and his correspondence, felt free to express his opinions.

My brother’s goal in life was to combine his two passions: as a devout Muslim he wanted to spend at least part of his life working in a Muslim country. As a trained pharmacist he wanted to help patients live happier, healthier lives. And in fact, prior to his unjust detention he was able to fulfill part of his dream by joining the pharmacy team at the Children’s Hospital in Boston in 2005, where he helped treat patients for several years. In addition, Tarek became a respected member of our local American-Muslim community. Today he is still well respected and well liked.

But today he goes on trial for allegedly providing “material support” to a terrorist organization. Whatever the government says this means, the question is: What did Tarek actually do?

Let’s be clear, Tarek is not charged with violence. No one is saying Tarek is part of a terrorist organization. This case is about one thing: What Tarek has said or written and what his political views are.

And, as alluded to above, this trial must be looked at in context: Tarek refused to become a confidential informant for the FBI against his own community during a time when the American Muslim community was the subject of bias and prejudice. The demonization of American Muslims has been well documented. This is the context in which his trial must be viewed.

I do not share all of Tarek’s political or religious views. But I know this: he has a right to them. And the test for the jury will be whether in America, a person can still hold strong views and not be punished for them.

My family stands by my brother. We stand by our community, American and Muslim, and we stand by our Constitution, which we believe requires that Tarek be acquitted of all of the charges against him.

 

-October 24, 2011, Tamer Mehanna

 
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Posted by on October 25, 2011 in Collateral Damage, News Items

 

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Tariq Mehanna: A Nicer View

Tarek Mehanna #50660
Unit GNE-109
Plymouth County Correctional Facility
26 Longpond Road
Plymouth, MA 2360
USA
 
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Posted by on October 2, 2011 in Sketches

 

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Tariq Mehanna: September 7th Update

From Free Tarek Mehanna:
[The following was written with regard to the September 7'th hearing for Tariq Mehanna {May Allah (AWJ) free him}]

[NOTE: Most quotations are paraphrased, and not precise quotes.]

I was personally touched and inspired by the turnout that showed up today. After two years, I’d have thought that people would have lost interest in Tariq’s case. Still, despite the inclement weather, church leaders, MSA students, the Boston Muslim community, and The Boston Interfaith Activist Corps came together in a show of support and solidarity with Tariq Mehanna. The sheer number of attendants (about 30) almost threatened to exclude people from sitting inside the courtroom. Tariq’s father’s eyes absolutely lit up when he saw a mass of MSA students and young professionals coming to attend the trial. As he put it, “Are all these people for Tariq?”

Also, much like the previous hearing, it was confirmed through multiple sources that a female FBI agent was in attendance for the duration of the hearing. Before supporters entered the hearing room, Atty. Jeffrey Auerhahn was observed pacing the hallway rather quickly as he spoke on a cellphone.

Stepping into the courtroom, attendants noticed that both legal teams were already seated. The defense consisting of Atty. J.W. Carney, Atty. Janice Bassil, and a third legal counsel took seat on the right, while the attorneys representing the American government – Atty. Jeffrey Auerhahn, and Atty. Aloke Chakravarty, occupied the seats to the left. Noticeably absent was Atty. Goeharing, as well as Chakravarty’s thick goatee. The door through which Tariq typically steps through was already ajar, as a lanky guard with a shaved head stood ready next to it. Waiting for the proceeding to start, Auerhahn and Chakravarty could be seen huddled tightly together having a lengthy discussion. Tariq’s legal counsel remained mostly silent, arranging paperwork every few minutes. Nodding to court staff, the lanky guard shackled and brought Tariq into the courtroom. As Tariq was being uncuffed, he gave a loud salutation to the supporters who were seated, “As-salaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmat-Allahee wa barakaat-Uhu!” Echoing his greeting, every supporter (Muslim & non-Muslim) who was seated replied, “Wa ‘alaikum as-salaam wa rahmat-Allahee wa barakaat-Uhu!” After seating Tariq, the guard quickly grabbed a chair inches away from him and sat down.

Court staff announced Judge O’Toole into the courtroom, asking all to rise. Aside from Tariq, some supporters chose not to stand. Following up on requests from Tariq’s defense lawyers, Judge O’Toole informed everyone that the request to dismiss counts 1 & 3 was denied. The U.S. government was first to address the court, and as usual, Aloke Chakravarty was selected to speak. In a stuttering and muffled tone, he stated that the government was still preparing for the trial, and there only remain “Dribs & Drabs” of evidence to be provided to the defense. A preliminary witness list has already been formulated, and all civilian witnesses who will testify against Tariq have been disclosed. As stated earlier, the number of “civilian” witnesses will be 40 in total, to the exclusion of FBI personnel who will speak; the list of FBI witnesses has not been formulated yet. In addition, a compact disc being generated by the government for the convenience of defense counsel to catalog evidence has not been provided. As no surprise to many in the audience, Evan Kohlman has been selected to testify on behalf of the U.S. government as an expert witness. Lastly, the preliminary exhibit list, which mainly consists of individual communications between Tariq and other individuals, as well as the final government issued translations, have yet to be provided to the legal defense. As Chakravarty concluded the address, Tariq was observed turning around and having a brief discussion with one of his lawyers.    Read the rest of this entry »

 
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Posted by on September 13, 2011 in News Items

 

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Don’t Be A House Slave

2010, Tariq Mehanna

 
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Posted by on August 28, 2011 in Sketches

 

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Tariq Mehanna: May 17, 2010 (What’s It Like… 4)

At this moment, I can glance out my window and see a 60-ft. stretch of grass patches, dirt, sunflowers, and gravel that ends at the perimeter fence. At various times of the day, droves of small birds swoop down onto the grass before my window, hopping around from one place to another while rapidly pecking the ground with their beaks. They keep at this for maybe ten minutes before flying off in the same formation they landed in.

To be able to witness their grace and beauty is a treat in here, thanks to Allah. But more significant in my mind is the fact that they were choosing to land here, of all places. These creatures possess the wings to carry them soaring heights and great distances to land on any plot of land they so choose. Human beings that we are, we have no such wings and are here against our choosing. Yet, the birds make a daily choice to land behind the razor wire, on prison grounds.

There must be a sign in this …

By definition, prison is a tool of confinement. the sovereignty of its inhabitants is usurped. It is characterized by limitation. It is not designed to offer much to those who it swallows into its cold, gray belly … conventionally speaking. For certain people, however, there is an exception to this. For certain prisoners, there is a treasure hidden here that only they can find; it is a treasure that, when found, turns this institution of confinement upside down and inside out. It is the treasure of the very freedom that was intended to be usurped – rather, a freedom greater than the one intended to be usurped. This treasure, when found , can transform a tool of confinement into a tool of liberation, as Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah realized on his way into prison while reciting: {… inside, it will be mercy, and on the outside, it will be torment} from Surat al-Hadid, v.13.  Read the rest of this entry »

 
 

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