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| N.Y. Bans Islamic Former Chaplain from Prison Ministry for 9/11 Remarks |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 02/14/2003 |
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An Islamic chaplain has been barred from ministering to state prison inmates for reportedly making comments sympathetic to the Sept. 11 terrorists. Warith Deen Umar, 58, who retired in 2000, won't be allowed in facilities he has tried to visit at least three or four times, state prisons spokesman James Flateau said. 'The comments that he has made since leaving our employ are nothing short of reprehensible, disgusting and rejected by virtually all Americans regardless of race, creed or color,' Flateau said. A Wall Street Journal article published recenty quoted Umar as saying 'even Muslims who say they are against terrorism secretly admire and applaud' the hijackers. Umar said his remarks were taken out of context. 'Sept. 11 was a terrible thing to happen,' he told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. 'I felt saddened for those people who had to suffer.' Still, the imam - or prayer leader - indicated that he believes the United States brought the tragedy upon itself. 'It was also an indication and a sign that America's foreign policies have gone astray and have created havoc in the world,' said Umar, who added he now fears for the safety of himself and his family. The Journal defended its report. 'Mr. Umar hasn't provided us with any specific inaccuracies in our story,' spokeswoman Karen Miller Pensiero said. Besides his ban from state prisons, Umar said his $37-an-hour contract as a chaplain in a federal prison in New York was terminated last week after officials were questioned by the newspaper. When Umar retired after 25 years on the state payroll, state corrections officials changed the process of hiring Islamic prayer leaders. Previously, Umar hired them through an Islamic organization he ran from his home. Now Islamic leaders from several centers statewide have a hand in hiring, Flateau said. There are now 40 Muslim chaplains on the state payroll in the prison system serving 9,862 Muslim inmates, or about 15 percent of the prison population. |
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