Dear Muslims of North America:

As-salaamu alaikum. (Peace be to you.) We, the undersigned representatives of major national Islamic organizations, call upon all Muslims to come to the aid of our respected brother Imam Jamil Al-Amin. As Muslims, all of us have a duty before Allah Almighty to help a Muslim in the time of crisis and hardship.

Right now, Imam Jamil's life is on the line. He needs our help. He deserves our help. We have an extra duty to support someone who is a leader amongst us, who has sacrificed much for the cause of Allah, spoken at numerous conventions and conferences, worked to bring unity among Muslims, and endeavored to establish the strong presence of Islam in America. Imam Jamil is the Imam of Community Mosque in Atlanta and leader of al-Ummah, a national organization of about 35 masjids. Imam Jamil has been an advocate of Muslim unity and has worked closely with many national organizations including ISNA, ICNA, MSA, AMC and others. He is one of the founding members of the Islamic Shura Council, a coalition of ISNA, ICNA, Imam Jamil and Imam W. Deen Mohammed.

Imam Jamil was accused of killing a sheriff's deputy and wounding another deputy in Atlanta, Georgia. Imam Jamil says he did not do it. Before the trial takes place, Imam Jamil cannot legally reveal his story of what he knows, but we do have his clear statement, "I am absolutely innocent."

Many facts point to his innocence: (1) the description of the sheriff's deputy does not match Imam Jamil; (2) both deputies said that the attacker was wounded, and there is a blood trail at the scene of the killing, but Imam Jamil was not wounded in any way; (3) an eyewitness' description of the attacker's car does not match Imam Jamil's car; (4) someone confessed to the killing, later recanted but stated that as an eyewitness he knows that Imam Jamil is not guilty.

In his statement of innocence, Imam Jamil stated in part:
"I have been accused by the State of Georgia of having committed 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 against 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."

Because Imam Jamil is a national figure in America, the state of Georgia is going to put millions of dollars into their efforts to convict and execute him. For Imam Jamil to get a fair trial in a high-profile murder case like this, he needs lawyers (the average number of lawyers in such cases is four), expert tests such as DNA, expert witnesses, investigators and thousands of work hours to match the state's efforts. The state will only pay a portion of what is needed for Imam Jamil's defense. We must cover the extra necessary expenses.

A fund has been established to pay for these expenses - the Justice Fund. This fund is controlled by Imam Jamil's brother (Ed Brown), Imam Jamil's wife (Sister Karima Al-Amin, a lawyer herself) and Imam William Abdur Rahim (President, Atlanta Majlis Ash Shura). We as the National Support Committee have established a close working relationship with the Justice Fund and we have full trust and confidence in them.

Our goal is to raise 1.3 million dollars to provide the necessary money to ensure a fair trial for Imam Jamil. As one of the Support Committee said, "Imam Jamil's life is worth more than 1.3 million dollars."

Brothers and sisters, servants of Allah, Muslims of America, support Imam Jamil by generously giving to the Justice Fund. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,
"Whoever removes a worldly anxiety from a believer, Allah will remove from him one of the anxieties of the Day of Judgment; whoever eases a hardship, Allah will give ease in this world and the next; whoever shields a Muslim, Allah will shield him in this world and the next. Allah will aid a servant so long as the servant aids his brother." (Sahih Muslim) Your brothers and sisters in Islam,

The National Support Committee for Imam Jamil (in alphabetical order)
Al-Ummah (Imam Jamil Al-Amin)
American Muslim Alliance (AMA)
American Muslim Foundation (AMF)
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA)
Muslim American Society (Imam W. Deen Mohammed)
Muslim American Society (MAS)
Muslim Political Action Committee (MPAC)
Students Alliance for Imam Jamil (SAIJ)
Women in Islam Justice Committee

SEND CONTRIBUTIONS TO:
The Justice Fund
P.O. Box 93963
Atlanta, GA 30377
(Donations are tax-deductible.)

THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Make du'a for Imam Jamil for Allah is Qahhar.
2. Give generously
3. Have your local masjid observe the National Day of Support for Imam Jamil August 3rd, 2001, when all masjids are requested to devote the khutbah to the case of Imam Jamil and to raise funds for Imam Jamil's cause.
4. Attend the National Rally for Imam Jamil on September 14 (Jum'ah Prayer in the Downtown Park) and September 15 (Rally) in Atlanta, Georgia. Pass the word about the Rally and help arrange transportation from your local area. We need to show Atlanta that there are large numbers of people who support Imam Jamil.

For more information about Imam Jamil's case and up-to-date information on events and activities use the web site: www.imamjamil.com

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