Laila al-Arian at Stanford

This crucial coverage thanks to a dedicated SOS member. Sami al-Arian has been in the news a lot lately due to Obama's nomination of Rashad Hussein, so this event was very timely. The event was sponsored by the Muslim Student Awareness Network (MSAN).

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The atmosphere is dense with adoration. An al Jazeera reporter. Her father jailed by the American government. The event starts with a screening of “USA vs. al-Arian”, the 2007 Norwegian documentary. The intro screen displays a Statue of Liberty silhouetted by a red sky, then an American flag with fighter-jets replacing its stars. Sami al-Arian. Noble professor at the University of South Florida who just enjoys screaming anti-America and anti-Israel slogans at rallies. FBI storms house. Justice aborted. Cut to Mrs. al-Arian, “all Sami did was talk to the American people.”

Sami’s case is shrouded in a lot of secrecy. But if there’s one thing that has been obvious from the beginning, it’s been intent. A letter to Isma’il Al-Shatti, a potential Kuwaiti financial backer, was introduced into evidence without dispute. In it, Sami wrote immediately following the Beit Lid Massacre that killed 21 and injured 69 in 1995, “I call upon you to try to extend true support of the jihad effort in Palestine so that operations such as these can continue.”

Sami al-Arian pled guilty in 2006 to charges that included offering "contributions, goods or services" to a terrorist group. But Laila speaks of the plea agreement dismissively. “There was nothing in it about financial support for terrorists.” “Nothing?” a question from the audience. “No, nothing.” The audience nods approvingly: end of discussion.

“What we need is more Samis in the Muslim community,” claims one of the more vocal community members in the audience. Priorities.