2/17/2012 - Press Release
Release Date: 2/17/2012 12:00:00 AM
The
All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) is outraged by the news of an
illegal immigrant from Morroco, Amine el-Khalifi, allegedly being
involved in a plot to attack the US Capitol. Since the FBI had an
undercover agent on this case, explosives had been rendered inoperable
by authorities and posed no threat. Just like other plots, this is an
apparent attempted attack against all of us Americans including some of
our community members who serve America honorably in Public Service and
who happened to also be praying Friday Prayers in the Capitol around
that time. ADAMS vehemently Condemns Terrorism and Extremism in all
forms. This alleged terrorist plot is against all principles of Islam.
We commend and thank the FBI and Washington Field Office for arresting
the alleged perpetrator.
While we agree with the US Attorney’s office press release that notes “The charges in the criminal complaint are mere allegations. As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law", we call for a swift investigation, trial and prosecution of this or any other individuals who violate the laws of our country, and for appropriate sanction and punishment if they are found guilty.
While we agree with the US Attorney’s office press release that notes “The charges in the criminal complaint are mere allegations. As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law", we call for a swift investigation, trial and prosecution of this or any other individuals who violate the laws of our country, and for appropriate sanction and punishment if they are found guilty.
ADAMS encourages the Muslim community everywhere in
America (and worldwide) to continue to cooperate with law enforcement
officials, and we urge anyone aware of this person’s activities or any
suspicious activities in general to come forward and contact law enforcement
immediately at the FBI Washington Field Office at (202) 324-3000
We are particularly distressed to learn
that in addition to Government and Military targets, the suspect had considered
attacking a Synagogue. ADAMS absolutely rejects and condemns
Anti-Semitism, and we stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters against any
such despicable thought or action. We consider an attack on any house of worship as an attack on all houses of worship.
We also note that no one can use the
excuse that an informant or undercover agent made them do something
wrong. There can be no justification for any type of criminal activity by
the virtue of interacting with an informant or undercover agent; if someone
felt the informant or undercover agent was a real violent extremist, we believe
the only acceptable course of action is to notify law enforcement of the
potential for violent or other aberrant behavior. Violent
Extremism/Terrorism is wrong in any circumstance, and we reject and condemn
extremism or terrorism in all shapes and forms.
As a Duke University study pointed out, the
largest single source of initial information to help prevent and counter
terrorism involved tips from the American Muslim community which amounts to
approximately 40% of the cases. It should also
be noted that
homegrown terrorist plots have actually been on a downward trend: only 20
people were charged in violent plots or attacks in 2011, down from 26 in 2010
and a spike of 47 in 2009. There were some 14,000 murders in the United
States last year, and we are thankful not a single one resulted from Islamic
extremism, as noted by Sociology Professor Kurzman at the University of North
Carolina. Yet we will not be satisfied until there are NO terrorist
actions in any year. We are thankful to the Muslim community for helping law
enforcement and for Law Enforcement for preventing terrorist attacks and making
arrests. (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/us/radical-muslim-americans-pose-little-threat-study-says.html?_r=1)
We also take this unfortunate occasion to remind all
Americans that Islam holds the human soul in high esteem, and considers attacks
against innocent human beings a sin of the gravest magnitude. ADAMS has always
been clear and very forthright in our position that those who commit or abet
acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying
innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they falsely
claim to represent. The Holy Quran makes plain that no attacks on, or
even injustice done to, Muslims can ever justify the killing or harming of
innocent people, and no act of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam.
We therefore repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any misguided or fanatical groups or individuals who commit, plan or assist in such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority of miscreants acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
We therefore repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any misguided or fanatical groups or individuals who commit, plan or assist in such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority of miscreants acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
For several years, ADAMS has served on the American
Muslim Sikh Advisory Committee to the FBI Washington Field Office (WFO).
We have always encouraged open dialogue and cooperation from the Muslim
community with law enforcement in order to both protect our nation while
simultaneously protecting individual civil rights accorded by the Constitution
of the United States. ADAMS has hosted several Town Hall meetings with
the FBI WFO at our mosque, and we have had many advisory sessions with the WFO
Director and Field Agents where we have shared our mutual concerns and explored
ways of strengthening our cooperation.
ADAMS has a variety of ongoing projects, activities, sermons, and educational programs to work with our youth and our entire community to prevent extremism. Our community hosts and participates in a wide range of community service activities, peace-building events, interfaith events, and Scouting activities designed to engage our youth in productive citizenship activities. We make every possible effort to keep our community focused on positive ways to contribute to our great nation.
Muslim Community and the FBI Washington Field Office
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001675.html
All Dulles Area Muslim Society is a National Community Outreach Partners with FBI in the Arab/Muslim/Sikh/South Asian-American Category
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/partnerships_and_outreach/community_outreach/outreach_contacts
Member of Department of Homeland Security Countering Violent Extremism Working Group
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/hsac_cve_working_group_recommendations.pdf
The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) is one of the largest Muslim communities/mosques in the DC Metro Area and in the United States. ADAMS is a non profit 501c(3) Organization, and serves over 6000 families with 9 branches in Virginia/DC - (Sterling/Herndon, Tysons Corner, Fairfax, North Reston, Ashburn/Leesburg, South Riding, Gainesville, Crystal City, and Washington DC). The ADAMS Center, governed by a 13-member democratically elected board of trustees comprising of men and women, engages in regular interfaith, government relations, social services, and community service, and has one of the largest Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Girl Scout programs in the DC Metro area.
ADAMS has a variety of ongoing projects, activities, sermons, and educational programs to work with our youth and our entire community to prevent extremism. Our community hosts and participates in a wide range of community service activities, peace-building events, interfaith events, and Scouting activities designed to engage our youth in productive citizenship activities. We make every possible effort to keep our community focused on positive ways to contribute to our great nation.
Muslim Community and the FBI Washington Field Office
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001675.html
All Dulles Area Muslim Society is a National Community Outreach Partners with FBI in the Arab/Muslim/Sikh/South Asian-American Category
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/partnerships_and_outreach/community_outreach/outreach_contacts
Member of Department of Homeland Security Countering Violent Extremism Working Group
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/hsac_cve_working_group_recommendations.pdf
The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) is one of the largest Muslim communities/mosques in the DC Metro Area and in the United States. ADAMS is a non profit 501c(3) Organization, and serves over 6000 families with 9 branches in Virginia/DC - (Sterling/Herndon, Tysons Corner, Fairfax, North Reston, Ashburn/Leesburg, South Riding, Gainesville, Crystal City, and Washington DC). The ADAMS Center, governed by a 13-member democratically elected board of trustees comprising of men and women, engages in regular interfaith, government relations, social services, and community service, and has one of the largest Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Girl Scout programs in the DC Metro area.