Muslim group calls for investigation into imam's death

The Detroit News

Detroit -- The Muslim Alliance in North America today released a statement expressing "deep sadness and concern" about the shooting death Wednesday of a Muslim imam during an FBI raid.

Andrew Arena, special agent in charge of the Detroit FBI, told reporters today that Luqman A. Abdullah's mosque, Masjid Al-Haqq, practiced a "very hybrid, radical ideology" that "mainstream Muslim groups would not recognize." Authorities said he was killed after he opened fire on FBI agents during a raid in a warehouse.

He and 11 others tied to the mosque were charged with conspiracy, dealing in stolen goods and weapons offenses. But a 45-page federal complaint alleged that Abdullah preached violent jihad, talked about killing federal agents, encouraged his followers to arm themselves and allowed the martial-arts training of children.

But the Muslim Alliance, a Lexington, Ky.-based group, called Abdullah a respected member of the group's general assembly.

"To those who have worked with Imam Luqman A. Abdullah, allegations of illegal activity, resisting arrest, and 'offensive jihad against the American government' are shocking and inconsistent," the statement read.

"In his ministry he consistently advocated for the downtrodden and always spoke about the importance of connecting with the needs of the poor."

The Muslim Alliance said Abdullah was a well-known member of the national community or "Ummah," which was established by the black nationalist formerly known as H. Rap Brown. He is now in prison for killing two police officers.

The Ummah "is an association of mosques in several cities in the U.S. that coordinates religious and social services primarily in the Black American community," according to the statement from the Muslim Alliance.

The group took issue with the federal government's characterization of the Ummah as a "nation-wide radical fundamentalist Sunni group consisting primarily of African-Americans" and called it "an offensive mis-characterization."

The Muslim Alliance said "it is our hope and prayer that a thorough investigation will be carried out with the greatest integrity."

"We urge the Muslim community and all Americans committed to justice to actively monitor both the investigation and trial of the accused," the statement read. "Also, we urge law enforcement authorities to release Imam Luqman's remains expeditiously so that they may be buried according to Islamic practice."