01: The Muslims of America, a community of black Muslims in Virginia, attracting the attention of law enforcement officials and journalists over its alleged ties to terrorism.
The trailer park compound is reported to be part of Al-Fuqra, a sect started by Pakistani Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani, and composed of approximately 1,000 to 3,000 black Muslims in the U.S (not connected with Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam). The leader of the community, Vicente Rafael Pierre, was arrested shortly after Sept. 11 on unrelated gun charges as part of the broad clampdown on terrorism.
There was concern that the capture of Pierre might lead to a confrontation between his followers — who are said to stockpile weapons — and law officials in a manner similar to Waco. But now the focus is on how Al-Fuqua has spread terrorism in the U.S.
Reports allege that the sect was behind a fraud scam in Colorado and attacks on Hare Krishnas, Hindus, and Sikhs (India is a special enemy of the sect). More moderate Muslim leaders are reported to have also being assassinated by members. While there may be evidence linking Al-Fuqra with Osama Bin Laden’s Al Queda, there is no clear connection to Sept. 11.
The main strategy behind Pierre’s arrest is to charge suspected terrorists with minor crimes to prevent them from engaging inmore serious acts of terrorism later on.
(Source: National Review, Dec. 31)