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Islamic Discrimination, Please Read!!!!

SomaliNet Forum (Archive): Islam (Religion): Archive (Before Feb 2000): Islamic Discrimination, Please Read!!!!
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Waryaa

Unrecorded Date
Salam alaikum:

Please read the following forward- if anyone knows a person in Pennsylvania who could represent this Muslim gentleman or a legal aid organization that could

Mariam Atash Nawabi
1mariam@onebox.com - email
(703) 234-3951 x2410 - voicemail/fax

Asalam Walaikum brothers and Sisters, I am here to open a story to all muslims everywhere, to all Afghans everywhere, to all immigrants who have come to America to recieve a better life for their families. I am sure most foriegn families can relate to the case of an Afghan muslim family who was broken up because of clear discrimination of Religion, language, culture and ethnocentric values.

Haji Abdul Rahim came from Kandahar, Afghanistan in 1987. He, his wife and his children escaped the foriegn tyranny of the Soviet communist regime on afghan soil to come to America in hopes of re-establishing his freedom of religion and a better life in America. Haji Abdul and Sadiqah Rahim who are located and residing in Reading, Pennslyvannia. They are the parents of nine children:

Rouna Rahim 23 years old 2/16/75
Sporzjmai Rahim 21 years old 3/7/78
Ferouza Rahim 15 years old 8/14/84
Abdul Rahim 12 years old 1/23/87
Fazel Rahim 10 years old 1/26/89
Ferzana Rahim 8 years old 8/19/91
Ferida Rahim 7 years old 12/18/92
Sadiyah Rahim 2 years old 1/26/98
Fazlia Rahim 9 months old 2/25/99

On April the 7, 1995, five of his children were taken away and they were placed in Christian homes. The basis of the removal of these children were that one of the children burnt the other two children with hot tea. The Berks County Children Youth Services on this basis and several other false allegations against Mr. & Mrs.Rahim found them to be unifit parents. These children have been placed in Christian homes away from their Islamic roots, Afghani traditions and culture. These children are living with various christian couples. They are being taught christian values, and are being taken every week to Church on Sundays. They are being transformed from their Islamic and Afghan roots to Christian way of life. They are being fed unhalaal meats and foods. They are not taken to the Musjid or local mosques. They are being restricted from learning or practicing Islam.

Mr.Rahim and his wife have been fighting in the courts valiantly to get his children back. He has been cleared of any wrong doing by Commonwealth
of Pennsylvannia department of Public Welfare in Harrisburg,PA. However due to the American legal system his case is constantly being pushed back every 6 months and basically being placed in Limbo. This in turn is giving time for his children to stay with these christian families and establish their christian values. Mr.Haji Abdul Rahim has been to Haj(Mecca) 3 times. He is a highly religious man who loves his children and has spent that last 4 years of his life dedicated to fighting for their return in a court of law. Mr.Rahim is a poor individual who can not even afford a lawyer currently, yet this man works hard, he represents himself at every courtdate.

He recently had two more children, Sadiyah Rahim who was born on 1/26/98 and Fazlia Rahim who was born on 2/25/99. These children have been taken
wrongly from their mother directly after she gave birth. These children were not even allowed to recieve breast milk from their mother. They have been placed in foster care also. He is now fighting for the return of 7 of his children.

The mother is suffering from Depression and emotional trauma. They are not allowed to see the first 5 children for any reason in the slightest but, they are allowed to visit the last two children for one hour every two weeks, but on two bases, that they not speak pashtu and they are not allowed to touch or hold them. This is clearly discrimination of language and parental birth rights.

It is also difficult for the mother because she does not speak english at all, and Mr.Rahim english is weak also. They are being placed at a disadvantage, and are being discriminated against for these various reasons.

We bring this attention to all Human Rights organizations everywhere, all Muslims brothers and sisters, and the United Nations, Amnesty International and the entire local and World news media to please take note of this devastating situation. Is this the Freedom of Religion promised by the American Government? Is this freedom to speak your native language or speech promised by the American Government? The American Government focuses on Human rights throughout the world yet in their own backyard, Human rights violation occur daily! Please write your congressman, Senator, Governor, or local authority about the Case of Haji Abdul Raheem. Haji Abdul and Sadiqah are asking for Political,Emotional, and economic help for their inhumane situation. Please contact Haji Abdul Rahim about any questions regarding his situation or email below at:

Shahalemii@aol.com.

Haji Abdul Rahim
339 south 6th Street
Reading, PA 19602
(610) 376-3265

He is fluent in Farsi, Pashtu, Urdu, Arabic and English, however his wife only speaks Pashtu. Please contact Mr. Haji Abdul Rahim directly, if you have any email, please reply at:
Shahalemii@hotmail.com.

Please forward this situation to as many people as you can. Then entire Afghan and Muslim communities need to push political pressures upon the Berks County Children Services. Please make young generation, parents, grandparents, family, friends etc. aware of this case. Please feel free to call, Mr. Rahim will welcome all calls for support. Thank You very much.

Jazakullah Khair

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