Protest condemns FBI killing of Muslim leader

A demonstration was held outside the McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit on Nov. 5 in response to the recent murder by FBI agents of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah. Over 250 people gathered for a rally and speak-out demanding an independent investigation into the Islamic leader’s killing, and the release of 11 people being held in connection with the case. Abdullah, 53, was shot 18 times by FBI agents on Oct. 28 after he and several followers were lured to a warehouse in nearby Dearborn.

Son of slain imam speaks out. WW photo: Cheryl LaBash

The demonstration, called by the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice, was endorsed by the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, the Green Party of Detroit, the New Marcus Garvey Movement, Workers World Party, FIST, Latinos Unidos de Michigan and Professor Charles Simmons of Eastern Michigan University.

The FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office have changed their story about the murder. Initially the killing of Imam Abdullah and the arrests of 11 members of the Masjid Al-Haqq were characterized as a “counter-terrorism” operation. Later the federal government emphasized that the attack had nothing to do with terrorism or Islam but resulted from a two-year investigation into alleged criminal activity by members of the mosque.

The African-American community has largely rejected the government’s account of what transpired when Imam Abdullah was killed.

Speakers at the rally included representatives from MECAWI and endorsing organizations as well as representatives from various mosques throughout metro Detroit. Members of the martyred Imam’s family attended the rally and several of them spoke. They expressed their grief as well as a commitment to seek justice by having the charges against Imam Abdullah’s followers dropped and uncovering the truth about the assassination of the Islamic leader.

There will be a follow-up demonstration on Nov. 19, when U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is scheduled to speak at a dinner that will be co-chaired by Detroit FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena. The demonstration will begin at 5 p.m. outside the Renaissance Center’s Marriott Hotel on East Jefferson Avenue.