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| Interview with Sabri Ben-Khala |
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22/07/2004
Acquitted Ben-Khala speaks of need for all Muslims to trust in Allah
By Hanif Abdur-Rahim
Muslim Link Staff Writer
Brother Sabri Ben-Khala was one the 11 young men named in the 41 count indictment issued in June of 2003 in a conspiracy to “prepare and engage in violent jihad” against foreign targets. Ben-Khala was a student at the University of Medina in Saudi Arabia when he was taken into custody by Saudi secret police before being turned over to the FBI.
In a January 23rd hearing, Ben-Khala’s case was reviewed by Judge Brinkema and she concluded that due to the circumstances he endured, he was prevented from exercising his miranda rights. His defense team was thus successful in winning a motion to suppress. Since such time, Ben-Khala has been under house arrest. On March 8th 2004, the case against Ben-Khala was dropped and he was freed of all the charges against him. The Muslim Link interviewed him on March 11th, 2004. The following is a transcript of
the interview.
TML: Can you tell me about the charges that were initially brought against you?
The charges that were brought against me were for providing support to the Taliban and conspiracy to possess and use firearms in connection with a crime of violence. The charges that the government brought against me were constantly changing because they kept having major difficulties in substantiating the charges with evidence. The charge for firing a weapon with the intent to commit a crime was somehow related to the allegation of me providing support to the Taliban.
A major piece of evidence that the prosecution had against me was that I used the phrase “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) during a paintball game when I captured the other teams flag during a paintball game. The prosecution even brought in Muslim collaborators to testify in court that they heard me say this phrase. As a Muslim we give all thanks and praise to Allah, but they chose to twist the meaning of this in an attempt to prove my guilt and prove that I’m some type of extremist or terrorist. This was just one of their ways of attempting to build a case, but Allah is the best of planners.
TML:When & where were you first detained. Please expound on the conditions, circumstances and your reactions?
I was first detained in Saudi in early June of 2003. I was taken into custody by the Saudi secret police and taken to an unknown location. I was held “in-communicato” for a month there. Being held “in communicato” means I was taken in custody and held without any knowledge of any charges against me, I was not allowed to ask any questions, was not allowed any access to any person outside, to include family or anyone. The interrogators would not answer my questions of why I was being held, they only would ask me questions.
Although the situation was confusing and frustrating, I was never afraid. I was only concerned about my family.
TML:What were the conditions of the place in which you were held and how long were you there?
I was held in a room where the lights were kept on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I was allowed to have a qur’an, so I prayed often and reviewed qur’an. I was held in this place for a month. I was then turned over to the FBI and was flown back to America blindfolded with goggles and duct tape and held in shackles. In order to use the restroom, I would be escorted by 3 agents who would watch me. Every move on mine was supervised until I was shackled and blindfolded.
TML:After arriving in the US, where were you taken? What were the conditions, and how were you treated?
I was taken to Orange County, Virginia and held in solitary confinement for a month. The cell was approximately 6 feet long by 6 feet wide, if I can remember correctly. It was extremely small. I was held in this cell for 23 hours a day and allowed to come out for 1 hour each day. The hour that I was given was also a time when I was allowed to shower. I had to shower in chains with a guard watching me. There were also days that would go by when they would forget to allow me out of my cell for my hour. I would not complain, I would just pray and review qur’an. They also gave me a English translation of a Qur’an. It was not a good translation at all. I requested to have an Arabic qur’an but I never received one.
The security was extremely tight in the facility. I was in the cell next to Seifullah Chapman for a month and never knew it. We both found out later after they made a mistake in switching our shampoos and other items. I would often hear and see doctors and medical staff members attending to the person in the cell next to mine, so I would make du’aa to Allah for that person knowing that they were sick and under these tough circumstances. I later found out that that person was Seifullah Chapman.
There was also I brother who I spoke with inside the prison who was Muslim, but didn’t know much about Islam, so, alhamdulillah, I would teach him. There was another brother who other brothers had spoke with about Islam, but I had the opportunity to give him daw’ah and he took his shahadah, alhamdulillah.
TML:Where you allowed to have visitors in Virginia?
Yes, once a week.
TML:Was there anything during the time that you were incarcerated or in custody that was particularly shocking to you?
Yes, when I was in Saudi in custody, one interrogator told me it wasn’t the Saudi authorities that actually ordered my arrest, but was the FBI. He told me that I would be leaving Saudi in 2 weeks and that everything was ok, but I was held another 2 weeks in Saudi before being turned over to the FBI. I was shocked because I had believed that being an American citizen would make me innocent until proven guilty. I continued to have faith in Allah and was not shaken by it.
TML:What lessons did you take from this experience?
One, to put 100% trust in Allah. secondly, to know that Allah has written all of these things that are occurring 50,000 years before the creation of the heavens and earth, so there is nothing to fear, except Allah, also to reflect on the conditions that the Muslims before us experienced, and see that they endured much worst conditions than we are currently experiencing, and lastly, to know that Allah has said to us, that if nations gathered together against you to do you harm, they could not do anything unless Allah has willed, and that if nations gathered against you to do some good for you, there could be no benefit except with the permission of Allah.
TML: What advice would you give to the Muslim community as a way to support those who are unjustly incarcerated?
Everyone should make du’aa for them, visit them, write, and encourage them. If you have the means, you should support their families with your wealth.
TML: What would you like to say as an appropriate ending to this interview?
Allahu Akbar!
SOURCE: The Muslim Link |
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