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Moderate Imam Faces Deportation Over Residency Application Omission

By Howard Friedman

The International Herald Tribune reports that a moderate New Jersey Islamic leader is facing deportation because he failed to disclose on his 1999 application for permanent residency an in abstentia conviction by an Israeli military court of which he had no knowledge. The Israelis charged him with aiding Hamas militants. He says he merely assisted some Palestinian students, unaware of their political affiliations. Imam Muhammad Qatanani of Passaic's Islamic Center has been one of the country's most active Muslim leaders, openly reaching out to other religious groups and law enforcement authorities. An immigration judge will hear his case in May.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 30, 2008 (boomark / email).