|
Protesters in Pittsburgh condemn FBI raid of mosque |
|
|
|
PITTSBURGH—At a July 7 news conference here, Luqman Abdus-Salaam (at podium), spokesperson for the Light of the Age mosque, protested a June 30 FBI raid of the mosque. Heavily armed FBI and city SWAT teams conducted the assault, kicking in doors, ransacking closets, and leaving holes in the mosque’s walls. Congregation members denounced the raid as “unjust, unethical, and unnecessary.” Federal agents claimed they undertook this operation in order to arrest mosque member Larry Williams, who they said was wanted on weapons charges in Utah. “We’re concerned with the kind of terrorist label that is being attached to Muslims,” stated Yusef Ali, president of the Islamic Council of Greater Pittsburgh, “and that more Muslims will be profiled.”
—TONY LANE Related articles: Canadian gov’t transforms military to fight ‘war on terror’ London sends more troops to Afghanistan ‘Renditions’ used widely in U.S.-led ‘war on terror’ Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home |