Muslims in The U.S. Urge Caution After Arsenal Found

25/08/2002| IslamWeb

Muslims expressed fears for their safety but appealed for calm as investigators tried Saturday to determine whether a Seminole foot doctor accused of amassing weapons to attack mosques and Islamic schools was acting alone. ``If you're afraid, stay home,'' said Mohammad Cooper, a Muslim leader who traveled from Lakeland to attend an afternoon gathering and news conference at the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area Mosque.

``But do not hurt innocent people. You arm yourself with the Koran.''

Authorities stumbled upon an astonishing array of weapons inside the town home of podiatrist Robert Goldstein, 37, Thursday evening after receiving a complaint that he was arguing with his wife, Kristi, 28.

Lawyer Seeks Muslim Man's Release

Also in the United States, a lawyer in Seattle said an American Muslim activist from who is being held in a terrorism investigation should be released because he has not been charged with a crime.

Greg Stambaugh, the attorney for James Ujaama, 36, who has been held more than a month, said he told U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee during a closed hearing that continued detention violates his client's constitutional rights.

"You have somebody who has not been charged in any crime and wants to be back with his family," defense attorney said after the hearing. "As a citizen, it's always bothered me when someone not charged with crimes is being held."

Stambaugh said the judge indicated he would rule within 60 days. Ujaama, who Stambaugh said was in the courtroom, will remain in custody in the meantime.

Ujaama was arrested in Denver last month and is being held as a material witness, which the government contends allows indefinite detention because authorities believe he has important information. A material witness is alleged to have substantial information about a crime but is not himself charged.

The government will not confirm that Ujaama is in custody or that he will provide information to a grand jury.

PHOTO CAPTION

Mohamed Atta is shown in an undated State of Florida Division of Motor Vehicles photograph. German investigators said Saturday Aug. 24, 2002 they believe that Mohamed Atta and two other Sept. 11 hijackers trained at al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan from late 1999 to early 2000, providing their most detailed evidence yet of a link between the Hamburg terror cell and Osama bin Laden's network. (AP Phot