Update on the likely future for former Sharon imam Muhammed Masood and his family: After the "voluntary deportation" hearing on October 26, 2008, Masood will leave the country and leave his family here. Apparently, Masood and his supporters hope that Masood can return after a year or two.
It's not clear how Masood's family can remain here, as most of the family members are also here illegally, except for the three youngest that were born here. Masood's son, who was arrested with him in November 2006, and his two eldest daughters are staying in the U.S. and finding their own housing. Masood's wife and his other five daughters are now leaving the 52-acre Islamic Center of New England (ICNE) estate in Sharon and looking for housing. The local interfaith group Janet Penn sent out an appeal to its members, looking for assistance for Masood's family:
"His wife and five of their children are urgently seeking housing in Sharon to enable them to stay within the school system. They need 3 bedrooms and have limited means. I know his family would be very grateful if the community can help them locate a place to move to. They have already spoken to the Sharon Housing Authority and there is no Section 8 available in town and the waiting list for Easton is so long they are not even accepting applications."
"Also, the Sharon Advocate neglected to print notice of the upcoming Ramadan break fast at the mosque this Sunday evening. The ICNE community will especially welcome your presence as Imam Masood will be attending, so it will be a wonderful time for us to bid him a safe journey."
Again? How many good bye events does Masood get?
I checked with a ICNE member, and most of the ICNE Members do not know about this Break Fast event. Whose agenda is the ICNE's Board serving?
Meanwhile, back in Pakistan, Masood's brother Hafiz Saeed, founder of banned (but re-emerging) terrorist groups there, tried to get a bullet-proof vehicle:
"ISLAMABAD: A top jihadi leader in Pakistan is now scared of the jihadis and is seeking a bullet-proof vehicle to protect himself."
"Hafiz Saeed, founder of the Jamaat-ul-Dawah, and before that Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, has applied for the import of an armoured vehicle, sources here reveal. "
“ 'It is respectfully intimated that due to various incidents of terrorism in Pakistan, it has been decided to provide safeguard to Hafiz Saeed, (the chief of) Jamaat-ul-Dawah, through import of a fully armoured vehicle,' a letter, written to the Interior Ministry by the Jamaat-ul-Dawah, reads."
"....Saeed not only seeks official permission for a bullet-proof vehicle, the letter he has written also requests exemption of import duty on “humanitarian grounds. 'It is further requested that the Federal Board of Revenue may also be directed to exempt the motor vehicle from the levy of all sorts of duties and taxes on humanitarian grounds,' the letter requests."
Are we surprised? Chutzpah must run in the family.
"When contacted, Jamaat-ul-Dawah spokesman confirmed the request. But unlike the threats to the life of Saeed spelled out in the letter, Yahya Mujahid, the spokesman, claimed the leader was under 'threat from the Indian side,' making an oblique reference of the outfit’s militant activities in Indian-administered Kashmir.."
The application has been turned down.
Wondering why more ICNE members (many with family back in Pakistan) aren't saying publicly that they're glad Masood is being deported?
The Federal Government case against Masood stems basically from being untruthful.
At the Roxbury Fundraiser the information given to people was that Masood and family are leaving in a few days. Need money for nine tickets.
The Interfaith communication is different by stating that Masood alone is leaving and the family needs a house.
Can the Interfaith people comment on it? Where does the truth lie?
Posted by: Azzam | September 21, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Planes leave daily and his family's dispositions should need no more attention from him than his 'loving' ummah can give.
Dear Former Imam, Just go, already. You won't be missed until you do.
Posted by: Shawmut | September 21, 2008 at 01:59 PM
What interests me is that these armoured vehicles aren't cheap. Where does the funding come from??
Posted by: Aaron S | September 23, 2008 at 04:03 AM
Miss Kelly,
your artical is full of BS.
I do'nt understand where you get your information.
I think you should get investigated and your dirty laundry should brought to your readers..
Or you be an ANGLE by nature...
Posted by: Joe | September 23, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Joe, what's the BS exactly?
No, I'm definitely not an angle by nature.
Posted by: miss kelly | September 23, 2008 at 08:00 PM