October 1, 2006

Dear Muslim Link,

As-salamu alaikum. Thank you for sending me your newspaper. I really enjoyed reading it. Alhumdulillah, finally a true account of the events surrounding Ali Chandia and others. Watching CNN and reading the Washington Post you do not get the same honesty which I found in your newspaper.

Anyone that read your story about Ali Chandia, even without ever actually meeting him, got a glimpse of his real character. Reading what others had to say about him and his sincere and honest remarks to the judge should make any logical thinking intelligent person realize that he is no criminal. He is a bright individual, a pillar of his community, a good son and brother and a loving father and husband. He is certainly not a terrorist. Anyone willing to be honest with him or herself should realize that his single fault is that he is a Muslim now living in a post 9-11 world. So, for this he was doled out a 15 year sentence only because he prays five times daily to the Lord of All the Worlds, subhn Allah.

In an article at the end of the article at the end of the newspaper, a companion of Ali's said that after Ali's sentencing he returned home to his family and sat wondering how Ali was dealing with being away from his family, locked ina jail cell. While he ate his appetizing dinner he wondered what Ali was eating, and this caused him to cry for Ali. Allah says: “ And We task not any person except according to his capacity…” ( Al-Mu'minum: 62). There are not doubt negative aspects about being incarcerated, yet we also understand that this is Allah's qadar, and because of Allah's promise you can be sure that Ali will be fine. Right now Ali Chandia is being oppressed and for every hardship he is made to endure, he can expect a reward.

It is something new and unpleasant to be handcuffed and shackled and taken to a police booking room in a jail, but it only remains strange, or difficult, for a moment. Then in the case of a believer, such as Ali, Allah sends for him His ease and makes every situation bearable. In prison you have cold water to drink, warm food to eat, and a place for prayer and sleep – really what is there to be sad about? Allah says: “ And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient. “Al Baqarah: 155) . If this is the test that Allah has prepared for people like Ali, and passing this test causes him to enter Paradise – then truly what an excellent test!

I hope that what your readers really got of this story was that unfortunately in the world that we now live in , this can literally happen to anyone. Anyone of us can be subjected to something similar.

Allah has promised the believer two cases for each hardship. So, being way from family is difficult, but how comforting does it feel to, although being separated from loved ones, call home from prison and your wife answers the phone and you can instantly feel the smile come over her face and you can hear the love in the tone of her voice. Subhana Allah, what a mercy from Allah.

I do not believe that any of the brothers ( Ali Chandia, Hammad Abdur-Raheem, Masood Khan, Ali Al-Tamimi, Ahmad Abu Ali and others) who have been falsely arrested, unfairly tried, and wrongly convited and imprisoned; I do not believe that they will remain incarcerated for long. Allah says: ….” And whosever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way fro him to get out 9from every difficulty). And He will provide him from ( sources) he could never imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him…”( At-Talaaq: 2-3). Allh's Faraj is close and by His immense Grace and Favor expect all of the brothers to be home soon.

Narrated ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him): Once I was behind the Prophet sallahu 'alyhi wa sallam and he said: “ O boy, I will teach you a few words…Know that if all the people get together in order to benefit you with something, they will not be able to benefit you in anything except what Allah has decreed for you. And if they all get together in order to harm you with something, they will not be able to harm you in anything except what Allah has decreed for you…” ( At-Tirmidhi). May Allah help Ali Chandia and all of the brothers!

So again, thank you for the newspaper, but more than that thank you for your honest reporting. It is really nice to read the truth, especially when it concerns you, when most other news media are reporting the non-truth. May Allah bless you in your work and increase you in Imann, as-salaamu alaikum.

Saifullah Chapman

Big Sandy Federal Prison, KY

(The writer is one of the local Muslim youth indicted and convicted in the “Paintball” case. To learn more about the “Paintball” case, visit www.muslimlinkpaper.com, or www.cageprisoners.com. -- Editors)

Muslims Must Speak Up For Abused Children

The upcoming congressional election is close at hand. Congressman Mark Foley's incident with inappropriate e-mails to a young intern is fresh in everyone's mind. One important issue is still largely ignored: that regarding our little loved ones. The President and law makers frequently show concern about the welfare of our children. However, many children are still neglected, abused and betrayed not by strangers only, but also by their caretakers.

These children are tormented and confused because the person inflicting harm and pain is no other than her own mother, father or relative. The little children have been traumatized by physical abuse, indecent exposes, molesting and sexual abuse at the hands of their own relatives. There are many sad stories that would make you cry.

When these cases are taken to court, even more injustice is placed on these children. In any other case, if a stranger abuses a child, the abuser is jailed and required to register with local authorities wherever they live for the rest of their lives. The victim is given a chance to be away from their attacker and recover. If the abuser is a relative, especially a parent, the child is given no such chance. Under our legal system, the abuser is simply admonished and made to undergo therapy. The victim is told they must reconcile with their attacker. More often than not, the victim is forced to continue to live with the very person who raped and abused them. At the very least, they are made to visit with the attacker and be reminded of the abuse on a regular basis.

These children are inflicted wounds at the hands of those in whom we have all placed our trust to protect the innocent – our legal system. Obviously, the system has failed these children. It is our duty as Muslims to highlight this injustice and demand that such heinous crimes be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We must raise our voices and demand that these criminals must not be let off with a slap on the wrist, but rather fully punished and not allowed contact with those they have abused and molested.

The children need your help. Please do not turn away - it is easy to ignore them. God has given our government the opportunity to be a light to millions. Why are they quiet about this issue? A child molested by a stranger can run home for help and comfort, but a child abused by a parent cannot. They rely on us for help and comfort. We who love children ask the President and honorable members of congress to immediately implement cessation of court ordered sexual abuse.

Whether it is done by a stranger or intra-familial (Family), abuse serves only to destroy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

For further information on how you can help, please visit AbusedChildrenNetwork.net.

Arjumand Akhtar

Northern Virginia

How to Purge Evites from Haram Ads

Salaam,

This is an FYI (For Your Information) for anybody that wants to send evites and not have those jahil Victoria Secret ads all over the place.

Basically the Evite service wrote to me: “An option/alternative you may wish to use on your invitation, is the “Just 4 Kids” themed invites. There's a large selection of designs in these sections which only include advertising geared towards younger audiences.”

I hope this information is beneficial to your readers insha'Allah.

Humaira Syed

JazakAllahu khayran Sister, I'm sure many people will be saved from the haram images through the information you provided, inshaAllah. -- TML

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