From Dr. Sami Al-Arian

Dear Friends and Supporters,

This May 21 will mark my 31st anniversary in the United States. The American chapter of my life has surely been the longest. But it’s about to end, as I will soon leave and start a new chapter.

Looking back at my three decades in America, I’m indeed grateful for the opportunities afforded to the son of stateless Palestinian refugees. During these many years, I have tried to uphold the great values of my faith and culture and the honored ideals and principles of this society.

I’m very proud of my contributions, whether in the fields of academia, civil and human rights, education, and political empowerment, or in advancing dialogue and civic discourse between cultures, faith communities, and intellectuals. I’m grateful to have been able to contribute positively in these endeavors.

I’m also grateful that my five wonderful children were born and raised in a society that provided them with freedom and equal opportunities to reach their potential.

As a stateless Palestinian, I’ll continue the struggle for justice, human rights, and self-determination on behalf of the oppressed Palestinian people, whether under occupation or in exile. The struggle is a noble struggle, which millions of people of good conscience around the world have supported and joined, from the celebrated young American peace activist Rachel Corrie to the distinguished international statesman Nelson Mandela and many great intellectuals, including Noam Chomsky, the late Palestinians professors Ismail Al-Faruqi and Edward Said, and the Israeli Ilan Pappe. Indeed, the role of the intellectuals, men and women of faith, and humanitarians in this righteous quest is paramount.

This struggle against an ideology that excludes others because of their faith, heritage or race, is not only just, but also a universal human concern. The only way for right to prevail over might is for people of conscience around the world to band together to defend that right.

I also believe that the tools we must employ in this difficult struggle must be legitimate and just. At the end of this struggle, I can envision a lasting peace in the Holy Land, where Muslims, Christians and Jews would be living side by side on the basis of justice, equality and mutual respect, devoid of oppression, violence discrimination or hatred.

Moreover, I’ll continue to call and work for the peaceful engagement and dialogue between civilizations, in particular between Muslim and Western intellectuals and academics. Those who advocate the clash between Islamic and Western cultures present a grave danger to this world and must be confronted in the intellectual and public spheres through forums and programs that deepen mutual understanding and cooperation. There is nothing more important in today’s world than such an undertaking.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my outstanding legal counsel in this case, Mr. Bill Moffitt and Ms. Linda Moreno. Their tireless efforts on my behalf for the past three years have been truly exceptional. I’d also like to thank the attorneys Mr. Lee Fugate, Mr. Jack Fernandez and Mr. Simon Gaugush, as well as Prof. Peter Erlinder and Dr. Agha Saeed of the Citizens’ Committee for Equal Justice, for their excellent efforts on my behalf for the past few months.

This process affirmed my belief in the true meaning of a democratic society, in which the independence of the judiciary, the integrity of the jury system, and the system of checks and balances are upheld despite intense political and public pressures.

Hence, I’d like to express my deep appreciation for the jury for their remarkable courage and efforts in the service of justice in this case.

It’s also my belief that an impartial and conscientious jury, as well as principled judicial rulings that uphold the values of the constitution, are the real vehicles that win the hearts and minds of people across the globe, especially in the Arab and Muslim world.

When I depart, I will leave behind many, many good and dear friends and supporters from all walks of life. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their tremendous love and overwhelming support and for always keeping me in their thoughts and prayers. For the hundreds who wrote me or rallied on my behalf in the past three years: Thank you and may God bless you.

I’d also like to thank my loving family, my beloved wife, Nahla, and my children. Their continuous love and unwavering support during this ordeal have been ceaseless and inspiring. During this entire time, they never lost faith in our just cause and in the ideals of truth and justice that our society holds in esteem. I would like also to thank my mother, siblings and countless people around the world for their love, support and prayers.

Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank the Almighty for bestowing on me deep faith and calming peace that have sustained me during these past few years.

May 1, 2006
Orient Road Jail
Tampa, Florida