Hundreds of interfaith supporters from all walks of life flooded JFK Plaza for a post-bail release press conference, moderated by Bilal Kaleem.

Speaking were members of the Muslim American Society (MAS) Freedom Foundation, and the Interfaith Council; the Imams’ attorneys, William Joyce and Jerry Friedman; community Imams, and representatives from the Jewish and Christian communities.

MAS-Boston's President, Hossam Al Jabri, then drove to pick up the Imams at Massachusetts Correction Center.

No criminal charges

Imam Masood (Islamic Center of New England, Sharon), his son Hassan, and Imam Abdul Hannan (Islamic Center of Greater Lowell) were arrested by immigration officials Thursday.

Although the arrests were allegedly related to a regional immigration fraud ring, no criminal charges have been brought forward. Imam Masood has been charged with a minor administrative technicality.

Numerous individuals have been charged with fraudulently entering the United States as religious workers, since they were employed as taxi drivers, gas station attendants, and in other occupations.

Imam Hafiz Masood, a respected leader and Imam of the New England Islamic Center in Sharon, has been in the U.S. since the early 1990s.

On the morning of November 16, he and his family were driven by Imam Hannan, of the Islamic Center of Greater Lowell, to an interview with immigration officials. They were arrested there.

About one year ago, Imam Masood, who is applying with his family for permanent residence, was informed that his application papers were completely in order, so he could legally work in the Unites States as a religious teacher.

Many members of the Boston Muslim community are naturally concerned, and even fearful, in the aftermath of these arrests.

Hossam Al-Jabri, President of the Muslim American Society Boston chapter, noted that “He (Imam Masood) has always been a voice of peace and wisdom, and I hope that immigration officials will be sensitive to his leadership position in the community, and insure that appropriate measures are taken to bring a fair and speedy resolution to this issue.”

Imam Abdul Hannan, of the Islamic Society of Greater Lowell, has served as a leader in the Lowell Islamic community for many years.

Civil rights organizations see both arrests as evidence of another strike at a Muslim community already unfairly attacked by law enforcement officials.

“On the surface, this appears to be yet another action unfairly targeting the local Muslim community,” said Nancy Murray of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Boston. “We're looking to get more information.”

Attorney William Joyce, who serves as the lawyer for Imam Masood, was even more blunt in his assessment of the treatment of his client. “I'm extremely troubled by the way this came about, and I believe that Imam Masood and Abdul Hannan will both be vindicated. The way this all came about is a disgrace. They wouldn't go to the Cardinal’s residence and arrest him for an immigration technicality.”

Ibrahim Ramey, of the MAS Freedom Foundation Human and Civil Rights Division, says, “The arrests of these two Imams by immigration officials and police clearly demonstrate that the climate for fear and presumed guilt is still operating in America.

“Muslims are frequently assumed guilty until proven innocent, and there is little, if any, respect shown to our elders and community leaders. The kind of mass arrests we saw in the aftermath of the September, 2001 attacks imprisoned countless innocent Muslims, but did nothing to make the nation more secure.

“We're calling on those officials responsible for the arrests of the Imams to resolve the matter quickly, to explain their actions to the Muslim community of Boston, and to show both respect and restraint in the future.”

The Freedom Foundation is the public affairs arm of the Muslim American Society (MAS.) www.masnet.org MAS4Freedom@aol.com Check frequently for more detailed information, recent news articles, and what you can do to help. www.masboston.org