Judge Allows Lengthy Border Checks of Muslim RIS Conference-goers
Published by Haseeb December 22nd, 2005 in Islam, Current NewsLast week, I shared an article in which the NYCLU asked a Judge to protect Muslims from being discriminatorily searched at the US-Canada border upon returning from the Reviving the Islamic Spirit Convention in Canada. Well the judge finally gave a ruling on this issue: HE REJECTED THEIR REQUEST and is ALLOWING UNNECESSARILY LENGTHY SEARCHES OF MUSLIMS at the border, just because of the fact we are MUSLIM and are attending an Islamic conference.
U.S. District Judge William Skretny, while characterizing last year’s stops as "understandably frustrating," disagreed with the NYCLU’s contention that they violated the group’s constitutional rights to practice religion and avoid unlawful searches.
"Plaintiffs were delayed for an extended period of time and subjected to unexplained inspection techniques that were inconvenient and made them feel uncomfortable," Skretny wrote. "The government readily admits that plaintiffs’ experience at the border was not ideal … As unfortunate as this incident may have been, I find that it was not unconstitutional."
It is ridiculous, that a judge from a nation, founded on the free expression of religion would give such a ruling. Granted, if somebody does look suspicious, with a lot of recent travel activity on his passport to Syria and Iran or something (not that Im assuming he/she is a terrorist), or has other signs of a questionable background - then by all means I would support his or her thorough investigation. I’m all for cracking down on terrorists and want them all locked up. But for officers to thoroughly question law-abiding professional doctors, lawyers, teachers, students, etc. All hard-working members of American society - who chose to go to a religious conference, in a country that apparently protects their right to religious expression and congregation guarded by the Constitution to be held for hours is outrageous. Whether or not you support the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, an underlying reason why our American bretheren are there fighting for our country is to PROTECT US from discriminatory practices and violations of our freedoms (i.e. freedom of religion) such as that in this ruling.
NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman promised an appeal, saying a decision allowing such searches "without an iota of suspicion of any wrongdoing" could not be allowed to stand.
I know that if I am questioned, I will definitely be courteous and answer all questions, but there is no need at all for any1 to hold law-abiding American citizens, who are on the same page as the rest of our fellow Americans against terrorism to be targeted based on the fact that we are going to a religious conference. CAIR has encouraged all conference attendees to print out this BORDER INCIDENT form and have it with you handy to fill out if you feel you have been discriminated against. I will definitely keep a couple of copies printed and with me during my trip and I encourage you all to do so as well.
InshaAllah, Allah
knows best. I pray to Allah 
swt that he protects and guides all the Muslims attending this conference a safe journey without any hassle. Ameen!
Stop telling people that I’m married to you, you dirtbag
Thanks for the information. We will print out the forms and provide it to some of the speakers including Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir & family, MeccaOne and others. Insha’Allah
, we will also provide a copy to the RIS convention organizers to distribute. May Allah 
s.w.t. reward you abundantly and may Allah 
s.w.t. shower us all with His Protection.
How come you still have Stony pictures on your header? That was the past man. Put up some Downstate pics.
salamualaikum,
i do understand the issue here.. but i think that the judge himself is under pressure from various sides….if he was being too lenient and something bad happened, then he would be blamed…i think he might gave that issue a lot of consideration….
just a thought…
salam..
what do u mean if something bad happened???
-0-0-0-0-
salam haseeb
inshallah you guys will get through the borders without any trouble
i didnt get a chance to talk to you, so i hope you have a great time at RIS inshallah
ahz
Thats because Bush doesnt like muslim people. He wants to oppress the black man also. I believe that music videos shouldnt be about content but intent. The media doesnt know what my music video about! they dont know i spent my own money to make it, someone gonna be like, “his video isnt politically correct and All that…why i gotta care about what they think? I dont KNOW you! why I gotta care about what you saying?
Another intelligent moment from Kanye West brought to you by Kanye West