ADAMS Response to Sterling Arrest and Reaffirm Condemnation of ISIS/Terrorism

The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) recently learned of the arrest of Mohamed Bailor Jalloh in Sterling on charges of material support for ISIS.  We wish to reaffirm our complete and utter rejection of the philosophy and deviant teachings of ISIS, Al-Qaeda and all other terrorist groups.  ADAMS and all its members vehemently condemn terrorism and extremism in all forms.  
 
We appreciate the FBI for arresting the alleged perpetrators before any harm comes to our nation. As the US Attorney’s office says “Criminal complaints are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.”  We nevertheless call for a complete investigation, and trial and prosecution if the accused is believed to have violated the laws of our country, and for appropriate sanction and punishment if they are found guilty.
 
ADAMS encourages the Muslim community, locally, nationally and globally to continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials, and we urge anyone aware of this person’s activities or any suspicious activities in general to come forward and contact law enforcement immediately at the FBI Washington Field Office at (202) 278-2000
 
We understand informants are law enforcement tools used for many types of crimes including financial fraud, sexual predators, pedophiles, right wing extremists, violent extremists/terrorists, etc.  We realize that this is a law enforcement tool, however we also expect that informants should be used only to follow leads on alleged criminal or other suspect activities, and not simply for looking at or monitoring whole communities, or committing racial or religious profiling.
 
We have concluded long ago that no one can use the excuse that an informant made them do something wrong.  There can be no justification for any type of criminal activity by virtue of being encouraged by informants. If someone felt the informant was a real violent extremist, the only acceptable course of action is to notify law enforcement of the potential for violent or other aberrant behavior.  
 
Violent extremism and terrorism is wrong under every circumstance, and we reject and condemn extremism and terrorism in all shapes and forms. There is consequently no reason for any member of our community, or any other American, to tolerate violent extremists.  We should contact law enforcement immediately about all suspicious behavior whether we feel this is perpetrated by a real violent extremist or by any informant.
 
ADAMS has always been clear and very forthright in our position that those who commit acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they falsely claim to represent.   
 
We therefore repudiate and dissociate ourselves, along with the entire Muslim community in Virginia and throughout the United States, from any misguided or fanatical groups or individuals who commit or even simply plan such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a fringe minuscule minority of miscreants acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).   
 
We hope that the actions of one person does not lead to the vilification of a minority group or lead to a cycle of additional conflict and violence; the demonization of any community for the actions of lone wolf criminals is itself an injustice. If anyone encounters harassment or hate crimes please contact Police at 911 and DOJ CIVIL rights (202) 514-4609 https://www.justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint
 
ADAMS has a variety of ongoing projects, activities, sermons, and educational programs to work with our youth and our entire community to prevent extremism.  Our community hosts and participates in a wide range of community service activities, peace-building events, interfaith events, and Scouting activities designed to engage our youth in productive citizenship activities. We make every possible effort to keep our community focused on positive ways to contribute to this great nation.
 
For over 14 years, ADAMS has served on the American Muslim Sikh Advisory Committee to the FBI Washington Field Office (WFO).  We have always encouraged open dialogue and cooperation from the Muslim community with law enforcement in order to both protect our nation while simultaneously protecting individual civil rights accorded by the constitution of the United States.  ADAMS has hosted several Town Hall meetings with the FBI WFO at our mosque, and we have had many advisory sessions with the WFO Director and Field Agents where we have shared our mutual concerns and explored ways of strengthening our cooperation.
 
References:
 
All Dulles Area Muslim Society is a National Community Outreach Partners with FBI in the  Arab/Muslim/Sikh/South Asian-American Category

Member of Department of Homeland Security Countering Violent Extremism Working Group
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/hsac_cve_working_group_recommendations.pdf
 
FBI Presents Director’s Community Leadership Award to the All Dulles Area Muslim Society
https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/partnerships_and_outreach/community_outreach/dcla/2015/washington-field

 

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