Suit by Lindh claims that prison policy barrng group prayers with other Muslims violates his religious freedom. Not the only freedom he lost, lol. Imagine if GW took pity on this guy...
Imam counters 'American Taliban' claim that group prayer is essential, even in prison
8:39 PM, Aug. 28, 2012
http://www.indystar.com/article/20120828/NEWS/120828059/Imam-counters-American-Taliban-claim-group-prayer-essential-even-prison
Islam encourages Muslims to pray together — but it is perfectly acceptable to God if they pray alone when gatherings are not possible, an imam testified Tuesday.
Imam Ammar Amonette, with the Islamic Center of Virginia, testified during the federal civil trial brought by “American Taliban” John Walker Lindh and other inmates against the federal prison in Terre Haute.
The prison limits group prayer gatherings of all religious groups, including Muslims, to once a week, plus certain religious holidays, according to testimony Tuesday by David Holston, supervisory chaplain at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex.
More group prayer gatherings of inmates, Holston said, could create security issues, even at the highly monitored unit where Lindh is serving a 20-year sentence for aiding the Taliban.
Holston agreed that Islam encourages more group prayers, but so do other faiths, he said.
Lindh, 31, testified in person Monday on the first day of the trial in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, but Tuesday he watched and listened to the proceedings via a two-way video and audio hookup between the courtroom and the Terre Haute prison.
He had testified the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ policy essentially requires him to sin, because he cannot fulfill the obligation he believes he has. He said he follows the Hanbali school of jurisprudence within Islam, and that requires group prayers five times a day, if possible.
The 24 Muslim inmates in Lindh’s unit, of 43 total inmates, are allowed to pray together one hour each week and daily during the monthlong observance of Ramadan, which recently ended.
Kenneth Falk, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana and Lindh’s attorney, said Lindh believes that most of the year, the prison unit could accommodate group prayer the five times a day it is required. However, Falk said, Lindh understands that because of the length of the day in summer and the required timing of the first and last prayers of the day to sunrise and sunset, part of the year the prison could accommodate only three daily group prayer gatherings.
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