During his Arraignment on January 19, 2001
Imam Jamil Al-Amin pleaded "Not Guilty."
Following is his complete statement of innocence:
In the Name of ALLAH, the Beneficient, the Merciful
Praise be to ALLAH, The Cherisher and Sustainer of the
Worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgement.
Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, the
way of those on whom Thou has bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion)
Is not warth, and who go not astray. (1:1-5Q)
Peace be upon those who do good.
My name is Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, the former H.
Rap Brown. I am a devoted servant of ALLAH, and an unwavering devotee
to his cause. For more that 30 years, I have been tormented and persecuted
by my enemies for reasons of race and belief. I ... seek truth over a
lie; I seek justice over injustice; I seek righteousness over the rewards
of evil doers, and I love ALLAH more than I love the state.
Their intention is To extinguish ALLAH'S Light (By blowing)
with their mouths; But ALLAH will complete (The revelation of) His Light
Even though the Unvelievers May detest (it). (Qu'ran: LXI:8)
On March 16, 2000, Fulton County Sheriff Deputy Ricky
Kinchen was killed and Sheriff Aldranon English was shot and injuried
in the neighborhood where I have lived, worked, and prayed. Indeed, this
tragedy occurred across the street from the Mosque I founded.
I have been accused by the State of Georgia of having
committeed these crimes. Let me declare before the FAMILIES of these men,
before the STATE, and ANYONE who would care to know the truth, that I
am INNOCENT of the 13 charges that have been brought aganist me. Let me
also declare that I am joined at the heart with his widow and her children
at the loss of a husband and father. I drink from the same bitter cup
of sorrow as the siblings at the loss of a beloved brother. I am powerless
to do anything to ease your pain and suffering except pray that ALLAH
comforts you in your hour of need and grant you peace for the remainder
of you days.
I have been maliciously maligned, scandalized and vilified
in the press by the police establishment before the court of world opinion
even before I was charged with any crime. They have sought to marginalize
my humanity and humiliate my family. They have done their level best to
reduce me to a one-dimensional monster that is a composite of a Black
Panter with a negative connotation, a cop killer, and the fictional character
of the Godfather. I am no monster. I am a human being created by ALLAH
and am an instrument of his purpose. I am entitled to every right and
every consideration as every other human being including fairness, a fair
trial, and the presumption of innocence.
Fulton County District Attorney, Paul Howard, as a representative
of the state, has asked for my death. Mr. Howard can have my death based
on the power of the state, but not on the basis of justice. He can only
have my death because my life belongs to ALLAH and He alone in life and
in death will deliver me from my tormentors and persecutors. I will pray
for those who despitefully abuse me because of power, prestige, or blind
ambition, for they must face the ultimate bar of justice and face the
judge of judges and answer the question, "By what right and whose
permission did you ask for death of this human being, and my devoted servant?"
IMAM JAMIL ABDULLAH AL-AMIN
Note: This statement is to be disseminated far and wide
to those who wish to know.