DETROIT, MI – The Islamic Organization of North America (IONA) joins other people of conscience in condemning the assassination of two U.S. citizens, Anwar Al-Awlaki and Samir Khan. We believe the assassinations carried out by our government and approved by our president is in violation of the fifth amendment that states, “No person shall be… deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law…” Neither Al-Awlaki nor Khan were tried or charged with any crime.
IONA in no way shape or form agrees with Al-Awlaki or Khan’s militant views and ideology of violence. Samir Khan, who at one time was a member of IONA, was eager to learn about and live Islam; sincere and devoted to his faith. Shortly after the events of 9/11, Khan started to develop extremist, rash, and militant views. After numerous failed attempts to rehabilitate him and bring him back to mainstream Islam, IONA expelled him from the organization in 2006 and he was barred from attending any meeting and gathering. He isolated himself from his family and the Muslim community and ultimately found himself in Yemen where he met his fate.
The recent precedent of target killing and assassinating individuals our government deems “terrorists,” without due process of law is detrimental for our country and the very principles on which this country was built. Timothy McVeigh was captured, charged, and enjoyed the full process of the law before he was executed. As U.S. citizens, the aforementioned deceased should enjoy the same rights as McVeigh.
The policy the Obama administration has elected to continue of a post-9/11 Bush administration policy that authorizes the CIA and military to kill U.S. citizens outside the country is a clear step in the wrong direction. America is steadily swerving away from the very principles of justice and due process of law that once made this country unrivaled. As deputy legal director for the ACLU Jameel Jaffer pointed out, “The targeted killing program violates both U.S. and international law… this is a program under which American citizens far from any battlefield can be executed by their own government without judicial process, and on the basis of standards and evidence that are kept secret not just from the public but from the courts.”
Finally, we feel deeply saddened and disheartened, for these acts leave no bright future for America, the great country it once was. We pray for the deceased and their families.
IONA, 28630 Ryan Rd., Warren, MI 48092 | Tel: 586-558-6900 | E-mail: center@iononline.org
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