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"Investigation of this allegation indicated it occurred
in the state of Ohio, for which the FDLE has no jurisdiction."
Dear reader, in light of all the recent evidence which has come to light I must humbly retract some of my previous speculations, specifically with regard to Jamal Jivanjee. In Rifqa Bar Part II I suggest that he is the one who helped Rifqa get from Ohio to Florida, and the recently released report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement identifies Pastor Brian Williams as the one who drove her to the Grey Hound station. Who purchased the ticket is still in question. I further suggested that Jamal may be the off-camera coach I identified in Rifqa Bary Part I. This is still my best guess, although I have no definitive evidence, so this remains only deep speculation, and I spoke in haste presenting it as I did. I still stand by my statements that Jamal's connections with Liberty University, specifically Ergun Caner puts his authenticity into question in my mind, but for the time being I am taking him at his word. I stand by my statements that Ergun Caner is a liar and a fraud. But for now I'd like to decompress two pieces of evidence we now have, Rifqa's Affidavit and the FDLE report.
The Affidavit is completely concerned with connecting Mohamed Bary with the Noor Islamic Center, assuming that all members of the mosque are extremists because of the various speakers and scholars who have been there. Basically guilt by association. This is a dangerous precedent to set because if the court system accepts this arguement it means that every Muslim everywhere could have their children taken away by the courts without any evidence of wrong doing. For example, me. Named in the memorandum is Siraj Wahaj, who spoke at the Noor Islamic Center and is an "Unindicted co conspirator" in the 1993 WTC bombing. I have personally attended lectures with Siraj Wahaj. I've shaken his hand, and he seemed perfectly nice. I had no idea these allegations existed. By the logic of Rifqa's affidavit and her attorney's memorendum, I am an unfit parent. I could snap and kill my own children at any moment for whatever crazy reason they dig up. Ludicrous!
An unindicted co-conspirator is a person who is alleged to have engaged in conspiracy, but who is not charged in the indictment. Do you see? There's no conviction here. There are only allegations. The existance of allegations against one person is being used as evidence of the truth of allegations against another person. This is madness! We must not allow our court system to conduct itself this way, and if you don't see any problem with this I suggest you go read Pastor Martin Niemöller's poem.
I much anticipated the release of the FDLE investigation into Rifqa's allegations to settle the matter once and for all, forgetting of course that every government bureaucracy everywhere is embarrassingly incompetent, even when lives may hang in the balance. I was looking forward to transcripts of Facebook conversations, and excerpts from Rifqa's writings. You know... like a real investigation. Instead, most of the report read something like this:
"Investigation of this allegation indicated it occurred in the state of Ohio, for which the FDLE has no jurisdiction."
What a joke! This, if nothing else, demonstrates exactly why this case should be in Ohio where the alleged crime took place, where the evidence is, where the witnesses are, and where the law enforcement agencies actually have jurisdiction. Keep the girl in Florida if that's what she wants, but the case should absolutely be in Ohio.
The report was not without any fruit however.
In the affadavit Rifqa alleged that her father, Mohamed Bary, threatened to strike her with her laptop. In the FDLE report Mohamed admitted he grabbed the laptop, lifted it to throw it and then decided not to because it was so expensive. He denies any intention to hit her or threaten her, but he could have denied the whole thing and it would have been his word against hers. So, Mohamed has a temper. That's not condemnable on it's face, but it is significant. We cannot ignore allegations of physical abuse in good conscience. These allegations should be investigated in Ohio, not in Florida. To be just, we must condemn any abuse that comes to light.
Rifqa claimed a high school teacher offered to harbor her if she needed to escape violent repercussions from her family. When interviewed the teacher stated that she was not aware of any danger toward Rifqa, and that she made the offer because her brother Rilvan was having wild parties with alcohol while their parents were out of town. At the very least this implies that Rifqa takes some creative license with the facts. But it proves or disproves nothing.
Rifqa told authorities that her father had no idea what cheerleading was, which is why he allowed it. She stated she always covered around him, and her family had no photos of her in her cheer uniform. Mohamed said he'd never seen her perform, but he'd driven her to practice. FDLE said there were photographs of Rifqa in her cheerleading uniform displayed in the family living room. This one confuses me. If Rifqa's lying it's a bad lie, because it would be easily verifiable whether or not they had photographs. If it's not a lie, where did they get the photographs? If you watch the interview with the family you can see that the photos are nicely framed with the school logo from 2008. Even if they put the photographs after the fact, they at least had to know that the photographs existed.
Most interesting to me is that in her affadavit Rifqa says that she became Christian November 18th 2005 at the Korean United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio. Unfortunately their website is in Korean, so this is a dead end. What is interesting is that the Korean Church is literally right around the corner from the Xenos Headquarters I discussed in Part I. This is before she met Jamal Jivanjee or Brian Williams. The FDLE report Rifqa says she was baptised by Brian Williams in June 2009 at the House of Prayer. Some limited investigation suggests that the House of Prayer has some cultish tendancies similar to Xenos. Evidence continues to confirm my original thesis. More on that in my next article.
More or less the report is a wash. It complicates the overall picture, but it's just banter. They didn't thoroughly investigate anything. If anything, this report only reveals the strategy of Rifqa's attorney to muck up the legislative process until she turns 18. I still maintain that the custody battle is irrelevant. She should be emancipated and left to do as she wishes. Let her get a job and support herself. If she feels threatened, let her carry a gun. I recommend the Lady Smith .38 Special. Better that then entrust her safety to the incompetent agency that produced this report.
Rifqa Part II: The fake apostate Conspiracy
Rifqa Part III: the FDLE joke!
Rifqa Part IV: Raising the Nazirites
Rifqa Bary's inconsistencies
Apostasy Part II: Reasonable Doubt
Honor Killings: Lies, Damn lies and Statistics
Rifqa's YouTube debut (8/10/2009)
The FDLE Interview (8/24/2009)
Rifqa's Affidavit (8/30/2009)
The Lou Engle interview (9/24/2009)


Comments
Davi--I appreciate your coverage of this issue. It is refreshing to read some in-depth consideration of the various players and motivations. I was also flummoxed by the reference to the Korean United Methodist Church--odd place for a Sri Lankan to find Jesus. However both Jivanjee and Williams have worked with "campus ministries," one or both originating from New Life church in Gahanna (very close to the Barys)--and tied back to Liberty Baptist U. But, it seems that an overlooked org in all of this is the International House of Prayer In Kansas City. It is this place that links Williams back to the Lorenz family--and has taken the "campus ministry" style perfected by Xenos online and nation-wide. Rifqa visited their Orlando branch yesterday.
Mr. Barker, what is wrong with guilt by association?
You wrote: "I have personally attended lectures with Siraj Wahaj. I've shaken his hand, and he seemed perfectly nice. I had no idea these allegations existed. By the logic of Rifqa's affidavit and her attorney's memorendum, I am an unfit parent...."
You could be. Couldn't you? Why would you attend lectures given by a violent jihadist? Why would your mosque invite him?
Mr. Barker wrote: " In the affadavit Rifqa alleged that her father, Mohamed Bary, threatened to strike her with her laptop. In the FDLE report Mohamed admitted he grabbed the laptop, lifted it to throw it and then decided not to because it was so expensive. He denies any intention to hit her or threaten her, but he could have denied the whole thing and it would have been his word against hers. So, Mohamed has a temper. That's not condemnable on it's face, but it is significant. We cannot ignore allegations of physical abuse in good conscience. These allegations should be investigated in Ohio, not in Florida. To be just, we must condemn any abuse that comes to light....."
If the authorities in Ohio are clearly on the side of this violent mosque, why shouldn't the girl be protected from biased Ohio authorities? Why not err on the side of caution?
I am tired of hearing people talk about imam Wihhaj like he is some sort of terrorist, jihadist, or even a fundamentalist... he and his followers are pretty liberal.
"Every one should put the name of Imam Siraj in the title section of his/her blog along with the words Unindicted Co-conspirator and former Prosecutor clarifies. This will flood out, inshallah, the post of the fascists, bigots and the ill informed. We must stand and make it known the reality of the accusations. Below is a CNN interview with one of the former prosecutors in the case. He makes clear the reality behind these accusations.
Andrew McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor in that case, said Wahhajs name was included in a filing that prosecutors were required to provide to defense attorneys in the case, a list of all the names of people who could possibly be foreseen to come up in the evidence. The filing, McCarthy said, has been called a co-conspirator list. But Wahhaj was never named bythe prosecution
He wasn't named a coconspirator because he did something he was named a coconspirator because he was a witness for the defense counsel and knew one of the people involved
My mom threatened to strike me many times with belts, sticks, whatever she could get her hands on when she was furious with me and she wasn't a muslim. When children leave their religion and get all snappy about it it is upsetting to a parent no matter what their religion is because ultimately they feel as if they did something wrong... my mom always used to say to me but we raised you christian. I was afriaid to tell my mother for the longest because i knew how she would get. parents get upset. Doesn't mean he's going to go commit murder. And for muslims it is a pretty big deal when their kid says they are going to leave Islam because they really feel they will be held somewhat responsible for it at the end of time... the smartest thing to do is to let it play out because people do come back after they experiement around.
Steve Guilt by association relies upon the association fallacy in inductive formal logic. If it were valid Innocence by association would be equally valid. A just legal system cannot conduct itself this way, it must presume innocents until guilt is proven. You can accuse me of being an unfit parent, and I may be. And so might you, and everyone else. Allegation is not proof. If my best friend hits his kids thats not evidence that I hit my kids. I imagine that the mosque invited him because of his record of good works, and their distrust of mainstream news sources. Im not ready to concede that he actually advocates violence. And if associative guilt is valid, than anyone who knows someone who advocates the initiation of violence is also guilty, than all Americans are unfit parents because we all know someone who supported the Iraq War, or similar military action.
Steve - Your question about the Ohio authorities presumes that a mosque can be violent. A mosque is an inanimate object. Only people are violent, and Ive already addressed guilt by association. To presume innocents until guilt is proven is to err on the side of caution. Its a foundational principle of virtual every justice system in the world. To do otherwise gives the state the authority to destroy the integrity of any family without any evidence of wrong doing. I strongly suggest you go read the poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller I liked above. It may seem reasonable to you to take away Muslim children without evidence out of caution, but when you set that precedent it isnt limited to Muslims. The state will be able to take away anyones children with impunity. Is that what you want? I am far more cautious of the abuse of state power.
Kiana - I think you make a really good point. I know "Secret Muslims" living in Christian families who are terrified to tell their parents. I know people who faced ostracism and some, especially from Hindu backgrounds, who face violence. I know one Secret Muslim who was 16 when he converted. Alhamdullilah, he told his parents, and they kicked him out at first, but now theyve reconciled and hes an adult. But, if he had come to me when he was 17 and said he was afraid and needed my help would people support my helping him run away from home? Err on the side of caution right? Should I have used the state to take him from his parents? He was from a church with allegations of child abuse but no evidence. What are the limits of right action when the religion is reversed?
My mom threatened to strike me many times with belts, sticks, whatever she could get her hands on when she was furious with me and she wasn't a muslim. When children leave their religion and get all snappy about it it is upsetting to a parent no matter what their religion is because ultimately they feel as if they did something wrong... my mom always used to say to me but we raised you christian. I was afriaid to tell my mother for the longest because i knew how she would get. parents get upset. Doesn't mean he's going to go commit murder. And for muslims it is a pretty big deal when their kid says they are going to leave Islam because they really feel they will be held somewhat responsible for it at the end of time... the smartest thing to do is to let it play out because people do come back after they experiement around.
Sorry for posting that one respone like 10 times, can you delete those and this for me Davi?
Mr. Barker,
I would just like to point out that it does not say that she was baptized at the Korean United Methodist Church. She just stated that it was where she became a Christian.
jlars - Good catch! I'll correct it. Sorry about that.
I'm sure that if the Lorenz's had invited Daniel Pipes to lecture at their Revolution Church, you would've labeled them Islamophobes. (As maybe you already have... such is your tendency to put your foot in your mouth)
It's not guilt by association... It's guilt by invitation! These people like Siraj Wahaj were INVITED to lecture at the Noor Islamic Center, and certainly not because of their "peaceful" rhetoric.
I'm sure that if the Lorenz's had invited Daniel Pipes to lecture at their Revolution Church, you would've labeled them Islamophobes. (As maybe you already have... such is your tendency to put your foot in your mouth)
It's not guilt by association... It's guilt by invitation! These people like Siraj Wahaj were INVITED to lecture at the Noor Islamic Center, and certainly not because of their "peaceful" rhetoric.
Davi,
You should read up on M. Zuhdi Jasser, founder of American Islamic Forum for Democracy.
Instead of getting into the gossipy and sordid finger pointing that you employ, his take on the Bary case is that Muslims should stop attacking Rifqas character, stop playing victims, and recognize that 5000 honor killings a year are 5000 too many, that Muslim belief in capital punishment for apostasy is unfortunately wide held.
Jasser wants to make Islam better.
The 1st step to solving a problem, is recognizing it! You can talk all day about how Islam is peace & love, yet anyone can go online and find hundreds of Imams spouting barbaric hate to thousands of enraptured people. Bombings, killings all over the world all in the name of Islam.
It's possible that the Barys wouldn't hurt their daughter, but Rifqa BELIEVES they will and is terrified! She didnt need brainwashing, all she had to do was go online & read about the Said sisters, Aqsa Parvez & thousands more.
Davi,
You should read up on M. Zuhdi Jasser, founder of American Islamic Forum for Democracy.
Instead of getting into the gossipy and sordid finger pointing that you employ, his take on the Bary case is that Muslims should stop attacking Rifqas character, stop playing victims, and recognize that 5000 honor killings a year are 5000 too many, that Muslim belief in capital punishment for apostasy is unfortunately wide held.
Jasser wants to make Islam better.
The 1st step to solving a problem, is recognizing it! You can talk all day about how Islam is peace & love, yet anyone can go online and find hundreds of Imams spouting barbaric hate to thousands of enraptured people. Bombings, killings all over the world all in the name of Islam.
It's possible that the Barys wouldn't hurt their daughter, but Rifqa BELIEVES they will and is terrified! She didnt need brainwashing, all she had to do was go online & read about the Said sisters, Aqsa Parvez & thousands more.
very good catch on a liar man! hahahahhahaha!
LamamelK--You suggest, and I have read elsewhere, that Muslims are attacking Rifqa's character. I don't see that in Davi's writing, and I haven't truly encountered it elsewhere. What I do see is a hard-line pro-Rifqa or anti-Rifqa delineation on the part of many who for lack of a better characterization are supportive of the idea that she should remain in Florida. In other words, any who either support an objective look at known facts that are directly (rather than globally) pertinent, or ask equal questions about the motives of all sides, are vilified as being "anti-Rifqa" at best, and signing her death warrant at worst. What exactly am I missing? Who, and in what way, has assailed Rifqa's character? Personally, I see her as a not-yet-adult, learning to think for herself, but still needing strong adult guidance, for protection (this is why I don't support Davi's emancipation stance). This then raises a legitimate question of custody. I don't see this as anti anybody. Please elaborate.
@ Ohioan
First. I dont see how your personal opinion raises a legitimate question of custody Are you a psychiatrist involved in the litigation?
Second. Read better! I was quoting someone else.
In the US its common for kids far younger than Rifqa to choose their religion. Evangelical kids get baptized, Jews get bar mitzvahs, etc. No one questions their decision or remarks at their immaturity. Yet many say Rifqa has been brainwashed and Mr. Bakr spins lengthy yarns about cults and fake muslim apostates all having conspired to convert Rifqa and fill her head with horror stories of honor killings, as if she had no will of her own or was too stupid to follow current events and read about high profile honor killings involving girls just like herself. Thats an attack on her character! And thats just Americas tame media. Its far worse in the Islamic world were one Pakistani article said she was pregnant, rebellious, and sought the company of older men.
I don't know if you are a parent, but to my mind character, maturity and experience are three very different things. Rifqa, like every other 17 year old in this country, is legally a minor. This legal status means that there are things that she cannot legally do for herself, such as sign contracts. This status is one that protects persons who have not yet achieved maturity and having the advantage of adult experience from falling prey to others who might take advantage of them. This is not at all a judgment regarding the character of seventeen year olds. In addition, we live in a society in which most 17 year olds (including Rifqa, who is a high school junior) lack minimal credentials to become self-supporting. This is why, even in states that provide for the emancipation of minors, there are very narrow circumstances, such as marriage, in which it is allowed. Hence--this has become a custody issue. Either Ohio, or Florida, or the Barys will be recognized in the role of guardian.
Sorry--I didn't mean to post comments AS LamamelK. I meant to address the previous comments TO LamamelK
LamamelK - I want to thank you for recommending M. Zuhdi Jasser to me. I just finished reading his 2 part series on Rifqa and watching his presentation at the NOOR Center, and his opinions on apostasy are almost exactly in line with mine, and he brought some evidence to my attention that is absolutely worth my attention. I do have some disagreements with him on some more subtle points of reform, but his email is posted, so I'll initiation that conversation with him. Again, awesome find. Thank you for bringing it to the table.