Dear Friends,
Today, December 6, 2015, marks the ten year anniversary of the jury’s verdict in my six-month trial. It was an emotional and blessed day in the life of Al-Arian family and the families of my co-defendants, Sameeh Hammoudeh, Hatem Fariz, and Ghassan Ballut. [That day was captured in the documentary USA vs. Al-Arian from (min. 65 to 75). [Links: http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/usa_vs_al_arian or http://www.ovguide.com/usa-vs-al-arian-9202a8c04000641f80000000047cfc5c]. Special thanks go to the Norwegian production team, Line Halverson, Jan Dalchow, and Tone Andersen for having the courage, foresight, and talent to make this documentary.]On this day my family and I offer our sincere thanks and deep gratitude to the Almighty God for His mercy, grace, and continued blessings, as well as for sustaining our faith and providing us with great friends and supporters. Today we also pray for all the victims of the government’s witch-hunts and oppressive measure. Let’s remember that there are hundreds of innocent victims today in U.S. prisons (see my recent reflections) who along with their struggling families are still suffering and awaiting justice.Looking back at the tremendous victories we received in 2005 and 2014, I’d like to express absolute gratefulness to my superb and unmatched team of lawyers during the trial, the late Bill Moffitt (may his soul rest in peace) and Linda Moreno, who’s become a dear friend to our family. Moreover, I’d like to express my full indebtedness to Prof. Jonathan Turley and his legal team for their outstanding legal work in representing me for seven more years against another attempt by the government to persecute our family until the charges were dismissed in 2014. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” These words, uttered by Thomas Jefferson more than two centuries ago, ring true today. I’m very grateful to those who have been steadfast and vigilant in their defense of freedom, justice, and truth throughout our struggle during the past thirteen years. Indeed, freedom restores the most precious qualities of life, dignity and humanity. We could not have won these victories if it was not for the great support we received from many friends, supporters, and people of conscience from different faith communities and ethnicities, especially from our non-Muslim friends. My thanks also go to those in all corners of the globe who have campaigned for my case and for other prisoners of conscience. It takes courage and principle to stand up for justice at a time when fear and ignorance often trumps rationality and fairness. May God bestow His blessings, mercy and grace on all those who struggle for justice and freedom, and on those who stand up and speak out on their behalf. I finally thank my dear mother for her unceasing prayers during our ordeal. Most of all I cannot thank enough my wife and children for their love, faith, and determination to endure the struggle, fight the injustice, and set a great example to all others. They are the most precious blessings of my life.