The letter has been removed (content of the letter is still retained in post) and updated with thoughts on the case. For those who haven’t read the statement he said in the courtroom, it is a must read.
One thing that I really found strange is that not a single major Muslim organization or group ever supported or issued any statement regarding his case. They are all silent. So it is clear that Tarek Mehanna was on his own. Yet he is not, because non Muslims have given his case more publicity like Glenn Greenwald, Carol Rose of Boston.com, and even a juror wanted mercy for Tarek. Tarek mentioned in his statement about loyalty to his fellow Muslim brothers and sisters, but many of us have abandoned him and our non Muslim brothers and sisters are more loyal to Tarek then us.
For those Muslims who are afraid to to associate themselves with Tarek even by mentioning a statement on their site or blogging him, read this in depth analysis of his translations and his beliefs posted by Danios of LoonWatch. I clearly would disagree with many points with Tarek. I would not take my deen from him. The point is he did not do anything wrong. Absolutely nothing wrong other then speak in a radical way. In fact Ron Paul is considered a radical. He want’s to do a lot of radical things in the government. Paul also was staunchly against the actions of Obama’s killing of Awlaki and his son. We have the Tea Party who are also considered radicals and even racists by many. The point is Tarek Mehanna is not the only radical in America with radical thoughts, Muslim or not. Radical thought and speech is not a crime in America.
Some of the articles I linked to compared Tarek’s case to the Christian Militia known as Hutaree which was a group that planned to attack and murder Americans. In the end the judge in their case ruled that they had the first amendment right and dismissed the charges. So basically planing attacks, learning how to make bombs and stockpiling weapons is all first amendment rights. What did Tarek do? Translate from Arabic to English. That’s what the government has against him.
What’s even worse which I wrote in my letter to Tarek is that Google, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook should all be given 17 years for the crime Tarek is charged with. Google Translate has and can translate from Arabic to English. YouTube continue to distributes Anwar al Awlaki’s videos right now. Twitter and Facebook are all tools that publicly share links and resources that can be considered “terrorist” documents to the government. If someone want’s to be stupid and become a terrorist, they don’t need a blog of translated Arabic to English. They can simply Google and YouTube themselves to a self-styled idiot of terror.
It’s a sad case. My heart sunk when I read the statement. I apologized to him in my letter saying I didn’t do as much as I could have. My heart goes out to his mother and father. They are brave parents and should be honored. Many parents would tell their son to just do what they say and listen to them to get the “easy way out” and settle some deal with the prosecution. Tarek and his family stood tall and now they will be forever remembered in history. May Allah have mercy on Tarek and his family, make it easy for them and give them peace. Ameen!
Apr 14, 2012 @ 18:25:28
assalaamu alaikum
This is a nice piece but I wish that you could have used what influence you have with the MM staff to get MM to come out publicly in support of Tarek.
But then given the history of Tarek and MM, and in particular Shehatta’s scandalous accusations against him after he was taken into custody, that wasn’t going to happen.
Tarek is a brave man and I think he will stand for what he believes in regardless of the number of people who support him, big or small. Yet it would have been befitting of a mainstream Muslim portal such as MM to show him support. Sadly, when it comes to Tarek, MM will always be remembered as the guys who twice did the hit job on him and then when they had the opportunity to stand up for him, kept their mouths shut.
jazakallahu khair in any case.
Apr 14, 2012 @ 23:00:33
its still not late brother. He is going to appeal inshaallah and he still needs support from his community. So don’t be sad, there is still many ways to help and spread awareness about his case and others. may allah reward you.
Apr 14, 2012 @ 23:20:07
If protecting an innocent Muslim from the oppression of the kuffaar has become a “gray area,” then American Muslims are truly lost.
Tarek Mehanna is not the only example of your (American Muslims) failure towards the Ummah.
Apr 16, 2012 @ 18:53:45
“I clearly would disagree with many points with Tarek. I would not take my deen from him.”
Just wondering if you could expand on what you disagreed on? I read some of his articles on the freetarek site (specifically the qur’an and you) and thought they were well-written and thought provoking. Also didn’t seem to disagree, so just curious if you noticed something differently. JazakAllahu khair.
Apr 16, 2012 @ 19:34:06
My differences can be summarized into one word: Tasawwuf. Tarek follows and takes his knowledge from Salafi scholars who are vehemently against Tasawwuf (Sufism in English). I, on the other hand, learn and study from scholars of Tasawwuf and traditional Islam.
His writings, poetry and artistic works on the freetarek.com site are nice and there really isn’t much detailed aqidah or fiqh issues in them. Almost all Muslims can appreciate his articles and works on the freektarek.com site.
Apr 19, 2012 @ 10:31:04
Is it’ so difficult to follow the middle ground mainstream for some young Muslims?
Mouthing off about the ‘Ummah’ and US foreign policy and Palestine comes too easy to these emotionally driven but substance poor Muslimsxand their arguments. Did Mehenna work for his community in the country where he was bought up? Did he have a record of activism on issues like local poverty and homeless ess in his home town or state? Aren’t these problems closer to home and where he could have done something?
By constantly focussing on criticising the US and emphasising differences between Muslim Americans and Non Mudlins, Mehenna is making himself look like a foreigner to his fellow Americans. Hence, the widespread hostility.
It is therefore perfectly understandable why respected Muslim websites want nothing to do with his case. They don’t want to loose credibility.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 07:53:06
A’salaamu alaikum. To Br. Iqbal, I personally did not know Br. Tarek but my ex-husband was one of his friends and teachers. I was a member of his masjid community for a couple of years as well. Br. Tarek was a very driven young man who, according to all I have spoken with and who knew him, was polite, kind, and committed to his deen. He volunteered at the local masjid in his community and was well-respected by everyone there. So in essence, yes he did put his money where his mouth was.
Also brother, I am not sure where there is a loss of credibility. It is more of a fear factor and unfortunately no one is immune to that. Our government has widespread powers and no one really cares enough now to speak up when abuses are against Muslims. We are the current scapegoat and an easy target and we have made ourselves that way. We do not show the character we should, we chase after things that are unbecoming to a Muslim and we are weak in our deen. I do not support extremism, I support Islam and following the beautiful example of our beloved Prophet saws.
As for Br. Tarek’s final statement, I am proud of him. He was not vindictive or spiteful. He was firm in his beliefs and stood up for them. Facing the same situation, I am not sure I would have the courage. Subhanallah.
I pray that Allah swt blesses our ummah and guides us, makes us strong in our times of trials and gives us compassion for those who are facing more than us. Ameen.