Rabbi, Priest Defend New Jersey Imam at

CAIRO — Christian and Jewish leaders in

New Jersey are united against the possible deportation of prominent Imam Mohammad Qatanani, citing his distinguished record in promoting interfaith dialogue and peace. “[He is] the most moderate individual you could imagine,” Rabbi David Senter, leader of New Jersey’s Beth Shalom Congregation, told the New York Times on Thursday, April 24.He said Qatanani, 44, has long worked for interfaith understanding.The imam of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, the largest in

New Jersey, faces possible deportation along with most of his family.The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department accuses Qatanani of lying in his 1999 application for permanent residency.Officials say he did not mention the time he spent in detention during the first intifada in 1993, when Palestinians were routinely held by Israelis.Qatanani’s possible deportation has dismayed religious communities in

New Jersey.Rev. Phil Latronico, a Catholic priest and chairman of the North Jersey Christian-Muslim Project, praised the imam for promoting dialogue with Christians.He also cited the recent invitation Qatanani offered to the FBI to make presentations about national security at his mosque.“I don’t think law enforcement officials will be in the position to reach into our community, except as spies, instead of as friends,” Rev. Latronico said.Supporters from all faith communities have collected 15,000 signatures on petitions to be sent to the Department of Homeland Security.The Islamic Center of Passaic County displays a banner announcing interfaith rallies planned during immigration hearings in the case next month.Outside the mosque, “Keep the Imam in

America” shirts have been selling swiftly at $8 each.“This is not about an individual,” insists Othman Suqi, a 44-year-old Muslim.“This is a community leader who builds bridges between us and other communities.”Claudia Slovinsky, Qatanani’s lawyer, says the accusations are wrongly based.She explains that he never received word of any charges or convictions against him during his three-month detention by

Israel and thus was not lying on the immigration form.The

New York Timessaid immigration officials refused to discuss the case, saying only the imam is scheduled to appear before an immigration judge next month.But immigrant and civil rights advocate groups are warning that Qatanani is not a rare case.They affirm that other imams across the

US are also facing a similar threat of deportation.“We don’t know if it’s policy-driven or not,” Kareem W. Shora, executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, told the Times.He stressed that cases like Qatanani’s are of a major concern.“Is there a pattern? Is it very prevalent? Yes.”Senter, the

New Jersey rabbi, is concerned imam Qatanani would get the fair process he deserves.

“My fear is, because of Sept. 11 and the wide brush we’ve been willing to paint Muslims with, he will not get that.”

Source: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1209037358199&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout