From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord@igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: soc.rights.human
Date: 22 Aug 92 13:10 PDT
Subject: Algeria: an open letter to Bush
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1476700404:000:4770
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!hrcoord    Aug 22 13:10:00 1992


From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord>
Subject: Algeria: an open letter to Bush

/* Written  7:58 am  Aug 21, 1992 by jisrawi@PHYSICS.RUTGERS.EDU in cdp:soc.culture.tu */
***********************************************************************
*                                                                     *
*      IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST GRACIOUS, MOST MERCIFUL             *
*                                                                     *
*                  A N   O P E N   L E T T E R                        *
*                                                                     *
*                 AMERICAN MUSLIMS LEADERS URGE                       *
*          RESTORATION OF DEMOCRATIC PROCESES IN ALGERIA              *
*                                                                     *
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TO: President George Bush
Members of Congress                       PRESS RELEASE: August 10, 1992
                                          CONTACT: Imam G. N. Kashif
FM: American Muslim Imams                 (202) 789-2262 (Day)
                                          (301) 699-1864 (Evenings)
Date: August 5, 1992




  We, the American Muslim leaders (Imams), representing Muslim constituents
throughout America, met recently in Washington, D.C. to address the issue of 
the suspension of the democratic process in Algeria, and the response of the
US Administration and Congress.

  For Muslims in America, the promising development of open and fair 
elections in Algeria represented a genuine example of the Islamic tradtion of
Shura (or representative decision making), equating with the highest ideals
of freedom and democracy as acclaimed by our government.

  Unfortunately, this process has been eclipsed by a military junta, 
signalling a return to political tyranny and dictatorship totally alien to
the values we cherish here in America.

  Our concern is the failure of the administration and congress to voice its 
opposition to this unlawful usurpation of power and to subsequent banning and
harassment of the FIS party which won an overwhelming majority in an open and
free election.

  The FIS party has made it clear that it respects popular choice, multiparty
participation and free entreprise. The Algerian political culture is in fact
characterized by a strong sense of independence, decentralization and a clear
bias against demagoguery. The rejection of French rule and the regime of
Ben Bella are clear examples.

  The social, political and demographic nature of Algeria makes the victory
of people inevitable. We feel that the west, led by the united states, has
to decide if it will facilitate or oppose the popular choice of the Muslim
people. Neutrality is not a practical option between a tyrannical regime
and democracy.

  Support for such dictatorial regimes also has grave consequences
domestically as more and more Americans, particularily the more than six 
million Muslims, and African Americans begin to perceive the government's
position on democracy as hypocritical and racist where the African or Muslim
world is concerned.

  We call upon you to use your influence and this country's considerable
political and strategic resources to push for the restoration of the 
democratic process in Algeria. We also urge that you edmand the release of
representatives of FIS who have been rounded up and sentenced to long prison
terms. As a practical first step we urge you to consider recall of the U.S.
Ambassador and withdrawal of recognition of the junta regime. Secondly we urge
you to consider some form of economic sanctions, particularily with regards
to arms sales and technology. Thirdly, We recommend that you organize a
fact-finding team, including U.S. Muslim representatives to investigate the
alledged rights violations in Algeria.

  Certainly the manner in which FIS has conducted itself during this military
rule is admirable, however restraint and anger among the Algerian people whose
votes have been annulled cannot continue forever. The consequences of a 
full-scale violent revolution would bring untold negative consequences for US
interest in this region.

  We, the following Imams are signatories of the statement above.

Imam Mutawaf Abd Shaheed, Cleveland, OH
Imam Al-Amin Abdul Latif, Brooklyn, NY
Imam Khalid Abdul Fattah Griggs, Winston Salem, NC
Imam Da'ud Abdul Malik, Cleveland, OH
Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, Atlanta, GA
Imam Larry Amin Sharriff, Dallas, TX
Imam Mikal Huda Ba'th, Washington, DC
Imam W.D. Mohammed, Chicago, IL
Imam Ghayth Nur Kashif, Washington, DC
Imam Ronald R. Shakir, Washington, MD
Imam Yusuf Saleem, Washington, DC
Imam Zaid Shakir, Hamden, CT
Imam Saraj Wahhadj, Brooklyn, NY