Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and Peace

May 1, 2006

A Message by Dr. Sami A. Al-Arian to His Friends and Supporters

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