IQOU - MOA Press Release

Tahirah H. Clark
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2732 B-13 Roods Creek Road
Hancock, New York 13783
________
(607) 467-1652
November 19, 2009
Christian Action Network
Toll Free Phone: 888-499-4226
PO Box 606 Forest VA 24551
Re: Defamatory Video Segment Entitled: ACT! Interviews disciple of Islamist terrorist Sheikh Gilani: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL-pF9cEgX4)
Gentlemen:
This law office represents the Muslims of the Americas, Inc. (hereinafter “MOA”). The purpose of this letter is to place you on formal notice that the above referenced article and video footage contains false and defamatory claims against my client. You are further notified that unless you remove all published versions of the video and immediately publish a full and fair retraction and apology for the matters assigned herein, we will seek injunctive relief against your organization.
First, the aforesaid article is wrought with inaccuracies and flagrant lies. The false accusations and obsessive distortion of the truth inherent in the aforesaid article and program serve one purpose only, to encourage religious bias and hatred. Furthermore, such negligent misstatements of fact place the lives of innocent American men, women, and children at risk and are a form of terrorism itself. This “Media Terrorism” will no longer be tolerated.
While we take umbrage with the entire publication, we specifically address the following:
1. The video is entitled “Act! Interviews disciple of Islamist terrorist Sheikh Gilani.” Your video takes a private citizen and presents him to the world as the student of a “terrorist.” Not only is the assertion that Sheikh Gilani is a terrorist blatantly false, but it is also paints the gentleman in a misleading light to the public. This man in your video has legitimate common law claims against your organization for your having presented him to the world in a false and defamatory way.

2. Next, the footage references the murder of Daniel Pearl as if El Sheikh Gilani was involved. In fact, on June 25, 2007, Randall Bennett of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that El Sheikh Gilani and MOA was absolved of any connection to the disappearance and murder of Mr. Pearl. There has never been any finding or even criminal charges brought against MOA or Sheikh Gilani for Mr. Pearl’s disappearance. In fact, FBI Special Agent Kathy Diskin, of the Karachi Bureau stated that “I had an opportunity to sit [in] an interview with Sheikh Gilani…within 15 minutes of the interview our feelings were that Sheikh Gilani was not involved with this…” Thus, your reference is false, defamatory and misleading.

3. Your video then segues into a blurb about counterfeit trade. The text states that Sheik Gilani was purportedly linked to it. MOA has emphatically and repeatedly voiced opposition to and condemnation of criminal activity. It is contrary to the tenets of Islam to engage in such unlawful acts.

4. Continuing, the producers begin to question the gentleman regarding MOA “compounds” and “training camps.” This loaded and inflammatory use of these words have a military connotation that brings to mind anti-social, extremist militia groups. This statement has no basis in fact and relies solely on conjecture. MOA communities are villages having no physical barriers such as fences surrounding its borders. MOA members are homeowners living in villages and contributing to society by virtue of their husbandry and skill. To state that these neighborhoods are “terrorists training camps” is reprehensible. Yet again, your allegations are false and defamatory.

5. Your video strings together footage of Sheikh Gilani and attributes controversial statements to him. To be clear, it is our position that the materials upon which you rely are manufactured beyond recognition. To that end, it should come as no surprise that Sheik Gilani would indeed voice opinions regarding self defense. This is particularly so because Mr. Gilani has been a vocal supporter of the Kashmiri people who are in the middle of a civil war. Many of them are his blood relatives and he has not been shy about offering his support for the fight against their oppression. Similarly, Mr. Gilani has spoken out against the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, which was fully backed by Ronald Reagan and the Pakistani government, as far back as 1979. There is nothing threatening about his voicing this opinion when the most affluent American politicians and law makers continue to debate the role of America in the region. It is a legitimate debate and the expression of an opinion of same does not render one a “terrorist.”

6. Part of one of the video clips included in your defamatory piece belongs entirely to the Kashmir Liberation Front (KLF). It is presented as though Sheikh Gilani is inviting people to come to America for training. That is all false. These words have been computer generated. Sheikh Gilani is shown with two American security guards belonging to the 786 Security Company, who were his personal bodyguards. Beyond that, the viewer will notice that all of the people on this film of the KLF are Kashmiri people and no Americans. The Kashmiri fight against their oppressors has nothing to do with America or American people. Their battle for independence from their aggressors is restricted to that part of the world. In the video Sheikh Gilani gives them words of encouragement and condoles with those who lost family members in the conflict.

If there is such overwhelming evidence against MOA, then it stands to reason that law enforcement authorities would have taken corrective action. Your irresponsible “broadcasts” strive to achieve vigilante justice against innocent people.
The clear motivation behind your publication is to incite contempt, ridicule, public hatred, and violence toward El Sheikh Gilani and Muslims, particularly members of MOA. Furthermore, it has impaired the reputation and standing in the communities of members of MOA. The negative impact of your publication has been evident; within a matter of hours the video received dozens of online “comments” on www.youtube.com exhibiting bigotry and hatred for Muslims.
Please be advised that by spreading the false and defamatory information in the video production, you each shall be held liable for any damages that may arise from the publication of these defamatory and harmful comments. Demand is hereby made that you immediately retract, correct, and remove this video footage from all websites where it was published. Further, we fully expect that you will apologize for making same. In the absence of such corrective action, my client will initiate a civil action against you.
Please govern yourself accordingly.

Sincerely,

Tahirah H. Clark, Esq.