Some of the 6,000 members of Toledo’s Islamic community said yesterday that the convictions of three men of Middle Eastern descent on federal terrorism charges should not be used to taint Muslims.
“At the time of the indictment, this was an indictment of these three men, and now it’s a conviction of these three men,” said Cherrefe Kadri, a lawyer and former president of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo. “Hopefully, people will keep that in perspective, and it doesn’t become a conviction of Muslims and Arabs.” Marwan El-Hindi, 45; Mohammad Amawi, 28, and Wassim Mazloum, 26, were found guilty yesterday by a federal jury of plotting attacks against U.S. troops overseas.
The 2 1/2-month trial in U.S. District Court in Toledo was fol-lowed closely by some in Toledo’s Muslim community. “If they intended to harm our nation, they should pay the price,” said Yehia “John” Shousher, 79, a long-time Toledo resident whose father helped create the city’s first mosque. “The law should take its course.”
He said it is important for Toledoans to know that the charges leveled against the men do not reflect the Muslim community.
“Unfortunately, right away, if it happened to be a Muslim person, they say ‘Islamic terrorist,'•" Mr. Shousher said.
“If they rob a bank, they don’t say he’s a Christian robber ... If you have an Islamic name, an Arabic heritage, they think we approve. But that’s not the truth.”
Ms. Kadri, who watched the trial’s closing arguments, said she didn’t believe the jury was influenced by anti-Muslim bias or by the anger provoked by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
“I would hope that a jury is impartial,” Ms. Kadri said. “I would think that would be the case, and they would uphold their oath. Most jurors take it pretty seriously.”
She said she remembers when the indictments were handed up in 2006, and then-U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ announcement was broadcast live on TV.
“By the government making that a live announcement at the time, they considered it an important indictment,” Ms. Kadri said.
“I would imagine this is a pretty important conviction for them, because it was a pretty important case.”
Muslim religious leaders said the legal process must be respected.
“If they are guilty, they are guilty,” said Imam Farooq Aboelzahab, of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo. “No one is above the law.”
Imam Achmat Salie, who lives near Detroit but has served as imam at Toledo’s Masjid Saad, agreed.
“It’s just very sad,” Mr. Salie said.
“If it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, it’s unfortunate that there are criminal elements in the Muslim community. Islam does not condone any type of violence.”
But not everyone was ready to accept the jury’s verdict.
“The whole idea of having these people come to trial was based on circumstantial evidence,” said Fatima Al-Hayani, a former instructor of Middle Eastern studies at the University of Toledo.
Ms. Al-Hayani said the case was built too much on statements of intent the defendants made to a government informant, rather than proven actions.
“Intent is not action,” she said. “We all say things that we don’t mean. Whether they intended to do it or not, to be found guilty on intent alone - I don’t think that’s justice.”
She said she thought the jurors may have been influenced by anger toward Muslims in the post-9/11 age.
“I do believe that the atmosphere is bad, definitely for Muslims and Arabs,” Ms. Al-Hayani said.
“It’s not conducive for a fair and just trial. There’s no doubt in my mind that they were influenced by that, too.”
