How to Make a Phone Call for Imam Jamil & What to Expect

(This post is originally derived from an article by Br. Issa Smith in the latest edition of New Trend Magazine: newtrendmag.org)

The e-mail arrived this morning: Imam Jamil has been put in the hole, strip searched, his Qur'an taken away. Why? Don't know.

What can we do? One of the following:

- Call the prison.
- Fax the prison.
- E-mail the prison.

The idea is to ask them why. The point is to let them know that we care--that Imam Jamil is not forgotten.

You know those stickers that people wear on election day that say "I voted"? Well, I don't vote. But those stickers are very catchy. I made my own sticker today, from a yellow Post-It pad. It says: "I made the call."

It was very easy. Here's how it went:

1. I called the number: 719-784-9464.
2. I got a recording that said "Press 0 if this concerns an inmate" so I pressed 0.
3. Someone (human) asked, "Does this concern an inmate?" and I said "yes".
4. Someone asked, "Inmate's last name please?" and I answered "Al-Amin".
5. They transferred me a few times. Then someone asked "Inmate's registration number?" and I answered "99974-555."
6. Then, "Yes sir, what is your question?" I answered: "I've been informed that Jamil Al-Amin has been sent to the hole, and I'm calling to find out why this action was taken."

After this, the prison rep may say a number of different things. They ran me around in a circle. Here's how it went:

PR (Prison Rep): "Sir I cannot give out any information to you without the inmate's permission."
Me: "I'm sure he would approve."
PR: "Sir I need the approval in writing."
Me: "And how do I get that?"
PR: "You can write a letter to the warden and he will ask the inmate for permission."
Me: "So if I send a letter to the warden, Mr. Wiley, he will take that letter to Mr. Al-Amin and ask for his permission to release the information?"
PR: That's right sir.
Me: "OK, thanks. I'm going to do that."

Another brother was told to call back later because Imam Jamil's counselor or case worker, something or other, was not there.

If they get 100 calls, that will send a serious message. You got the e-mail, right? Well, if you don't make the call, then what good is it? 5 minutes tops.

P.S. Call again an hour later, too.

(NOTE: While the prison will try to route us to the Imam’s counselor Richard Madison, we should respectfully ask to speak to the warden Ron Wiley. Imam Jamil's son, Kairi Al-Amin, has stated that the warden specifically should be written to, faxed, or spoken to on the phone.)

Imam Jamil placed in "the hole"

Please forward and circulate this information:

Imam Jamil has been moved to what is known in prison as "the hole". On February 9th, he was strip searched and placed in a cell with no bed, no control over the lights, and no shower. They have taken his Qur'an and all of his other personal property.

Please take some time contact the warden, and to get the word out to all of your contacts. We all need to write, call, fax or e-mail Warden Ron Wiley to inquire as to why Jamil Al-Amin (as they know him) has been placed in the hole. No information has been given as to why this transfer was made. Whatever the reasoning, nothing can justify this inhumane treatment.

In the past when action has been taken by the public on Imam Jamil's behalf, changes have been made that benefited him. Please remember to keep your correspondence brief and to the point, and avoid threats, rambling, etc. We want positive changes to be made.

The address is:
Warden Ron Wiley
USP Florence ADMAX
U.S. Penitentiary
PO Box 8500
Florence, CO 81226

Phone: 719-784-9464
Fax: 719-784-9504
E-mail: FLM/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV

www.myspace.com/freetheimam
For more details or if you have questions, contact: freetheimam@yahoo.com

Upcoming Play @ Masjid Al-Islam (Oakland)

Masjid Al-Islam School (Oakland) Presents

"NOWHERE TO HIDE"
A Play by Sonia Sbeih

Where are you to hide when bombs are attacking you from land, sky and sea? Lailah struggles to find shelter amid the war on Gaza.

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Masjid Al-Islam
8210 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94605

Ticket Price:
$5.00

For ticket details and further information, contact Sonia Sbieh @ 510-382-1213.

Re-watching Imam Musa with Hannity

I was just re-watching Imam Musa's encounter with Sean Hannity from Feb. 21, 2007. Masha'Allah, it seems to have gotten even better with the passage of time. Imam Musa maintains his composure against Hannity's provocations and gets a few key points across while Hannity appears as stupid and childish as ever. The strength of Imam Musa's points has only increased with time.

Upcoming "Friend-Raiser" @ Masjid Al-Islam (Oakland)

“FRIEND”-RAISER

Sunday, February 15, 2009
1:00 – 3:15 pm

Featuring a special discussion on
“Strategic Management under Conditions of Repression”

Speaker:
Imam Abdul Alim Musa

Masjid Al-Islam
8210 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94605

* Dinner will be served. *

Due to improvements and expansion of Masjid Al-Islam’s group home-schooling program; a massive increase of new shahadahs in recent months and the need for expanded social services; and other expenditures, we find it necessary to appeal to the larger SF Bay area Muslim community in order to continue our work of active da’wah and community-building in the deprived environment of Oakland, CA.

We have consistently stood up on behalf of our Muslim brothers and sisters here and abroad in various rallies and demonstrations against U.S. invasion and occupation of Muslim lands, the blotting out of civil liberties, unlawful imprisonment, illegal spying on our masajid, and deportation without due process of law. Now we ask you to stand up for us! We will not be bullied by American Zionism, the CIA, the FBI, or any other oppressor. We thank Allah (swt) for allowing us to be on the right side of the struggle between Haqq (Truth) and batil (falsehood).

For more information, contact us at: 510.638.9541 or 202.904.1152.

Imam Abdul Alim Musa

Masjid Al-Islam (DC)'s Black History Month Program

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Masjid Al-Islam (DC) and the Group Home-Schooling Cooperative (GHSC) Present

A Four-Weekend Series


Saturday, February 7, 2009:

- 3:00 – 5:00 pm: Parent-child arts & crafts projects
- 5:00 – 7:00 pm: “The African American Muslim Experience: Part 1” a presentation by Br. Fareed Nu’man, a distinguished and renowned cultural anthropologist
- 7:00 pm: Family Night dinner


Saturday, February 14, 2009:
5:00 – 7:00 pm

- Presentation: “The African American Muslim Experience: Part 2” by Br. Fareed Nu’man, renowned cultural historian


Saturday, February 21, 2009:
5:00 – 7:00 pm

- Presentation: “Music and the African American Struggle” by Imam Tufayl Abdillah


Saturday, February 28, 2009:
5:00 – 7:00 pm

- Presentation: “Continuing the Legacy of El-Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X)” by Imam Abdul Alim Musa
- 7:00 pm: A special dinner made up of traditional foods of the African American community


***
Masjid Al-Islam / 4603 Benning Road SE / Washington, DC 20019

For further information, call 202.581.2800. Directions via Metro: Take the blue line to the Benning Road stop and walk 3 blocks to Benning Road and C Street SE.