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There has never been a time when liberal ideals were fully realized... Hayek, 1960.
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Talking about Good and Bad Muslims-Jamal Miftah case gets more bizarre/***Updates****

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Last week I seeded an article about a Pakistani Muslim immigrant in Tulsa Oklahoma who was barred from his community mosque after writing a letter to the local newspaper excoriating terrorists and Al Qaeda.

He apparently wrote:

I appeal to the Muslim youth in particular and Muslims of the world in general to rise up and start jihad against the killers of humanity and help the civilized world to bring these culprits to justice and prove that Islam is not a religion of hatred and aggression.

I appeal to the Muslim clerics around the world that, rather than issuing empty fatwas condemning suicide bombing, they should issue a fatwa for the death of such scoundrels and barbarians who have taken more than 4,267 lives of innocent people in the name of Islam and have carried out more than 24 terrorist attacks on civilian installations throughout the world. This does not include the chilling number of deaths because of such activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is well over 250,000.

I appeal to al-Zawahri and his band of thugs to hand themselves over to justice and stop spreading evil and killing innocent humans around the world in the name of Islam. Their time is limited and Muslims of the world will soon rise against them to apprehend them and bring them to justice.

This story gained national prominence when he was invited to Hannity and Colmes. The local Tulsa CBS affiliate KWTV and the right-wing blogosphere has ridden with the story.

The Mosque claimed that Mr. Miftah was asked to leave the Mosque with others because they had been involved in a physical confrontation. Mr. Miftah on his own part claims that it was other worshippers at the Mosque who went physical on him after declaring him "anti-Islamic". The Mosque has not been consistent with their story. According to KWTV in this video, they said he was welcome back if he "apologised". They also issued the following statement to Hannity and Colmes;

Mr Miftah is welcome to worship at the mosque...He has been repeatedly advised that he is welcomed (sic). Only once, in early November, he (and others) were asked to leave and argue elsewhere. The islamic Community of Tulsa's stand against terrorism is well-established....

The last statement implies that it was a one-off incidence, and he had been assured he could come back pretty much unconditionally. The same group had told the Fox affiliate that he just had to apologise for the scuffle.

The story became much more bizarre this morning when a fellow Newsviner RIAZN left this comment in the comment thread of the seeded Jamal Miftah article:

HI Jamal miftah is my cousin and was married to my sister nageena he killed her, and know he is in united state with his 2nd wife under my sister name and passport and green card ,how this happen? Well his sister who is a USA citizen had sponsor him and his first wife (my sister nageena) to come to USA, when green card was approved for them my sister was dead, so he obtain a passport and id card for his 2nd wife under my dad sister name (very easily done in Pakistan if you got money) and fooled the American govt. obtaining green card. I was visiting Pakistan this year and learn about the fraud, on my return I notified the FBI in June, Jamal knows about this because his sister has been interview by the FBI and he know the he will eventually be deported, so he comes up with scam to start a new fraud he bags the Tulsa world to print is article about the terrorist because know that his is a bait and all the media will jump on it and he will become poor Jamal miftah and when the time for his deportation comes he can use this,
Jamal miftah is a fraud do not believe him had fool the American government and now wants to fool the American people. Riaz Noor

Riaz Noor joined Newsvine today and this was his/her first contribution of any kind leading me to believe he joined specifically to contribute this snippet. Since he has no Newsvine history I am not sure about his/her credibility.

Since I am not a professional journalist I did not dig further into the background of Jamal Miftah, Riaz Noor or Nageena (Noor or Miftah). As time passes we will no doubt see the story unfold further.

It is clear that many muslims in the West have strong repulsion for the terrorist crazies. It is clear that terrorism is seriously affecting the dynamics of muslim communities in the West in many ways. It is clear that many muslims feel they have to take a strong stand against terrorism. It is clear that muslims, like all religious people, have problems accepting criticisms of their religion. It is clear that being a Muslim in the West today brings many conflicts in loyalty, faith and comunity.

What is not clear is if Jamal Miftah is a murderer and con-man who fabricated this episode to rouse sympathy against Uncle Sam's impending justice.

I spoke with both Jamal Miftah and Riaz Noor. I have invited Riaz Noor to shed more light on all this.

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{"commentId":451822,"authorDomain":"lucidweyland"}

Thank you for seeding this story.

I don't find the person who called himself to be Riaz Noor to be particularly credible at this point, and I'm not entirely certain what he was trying to say. It sounds like the mosque itself is verifying that an incident occurred. I suppose he might be spinning it for his later benefit, but for all we know Riaz Noor isn't even a real name.

{"commentId":451822,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"lucidweyland"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:02 AM EST
{"commentId":452387,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

I am doubtful myself. My first instinct was to see it as a strike-back of the guys upset by Miftah's write-up. I can't find any evidence that Miftah has addressed Riaz Noor thogh Noor started making these comments end of November.

{"commentId":452387,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}
    #1.1 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:22 PM EST
    Reply
    {"commentId":452310,"authorDomain":"ejronin"}

    Out of pure curisoity I would further investigate this Riaz Noor person. Lucid has a point in that they might not be a real person, which means that the whole tale could be fabricated to counter and discredit Miftah - certain a tale of murder and espionage captures attention - however, nothing indicates the Riaz is lying either, it is just a case of "no weight". They have yet to prove anything, wereas (as Lucid also pointed out), the Mosque seems to verify the scuffle.

    At the same time, Riaz is talking about the character of Mitfah and not the event within the Mosque.

    Surely there has to be some kind of public record concerning the death of Nageena, who Riaz is and other things concerning Mitfah... I'll see if I can't find anything either...

    I love a good political mystery...

    Great seed and article

    {"commentId":452310,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"ejronin"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#2 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:37 PM EST
    {"commentId":452374,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

    I did a google search of the name Riaz Noor. It turns out he has been commenting on many blogs on the net. Sometimes using the very same comment he posted on my seed. This weakens any notion that he is a real person with a cause. Especially since he hasn't shown up on this thread despite being a Newsvine member.

    In most of the blogs where he had posted comments, he was met with counter-accusations including some of being a terrorist himself.

    On the other hand it either could indicate that Miftah himself has many shady detractors and is possibly shady, or that there are many people still out to get him for the letter to the Tulsa paper.

    {"commentId":452374,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}
      Reply#3 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:13 PM EST
      {"commentId":452379,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

      I inadvertently left out the link to the Google Search.

      {"commentId":452379,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}
        #3.1 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:17 PM EST
        {"commentId":452400,"authorDomain":"ejronin"}

        yeah I got the same thing... and subesquently came to teh same conclusion. I'm a bit dissapointed. I was looking forward to something intriguing... at the same time this also means someones life has a little more drama. i't sharder to fight a ghost than a real person.

        {"commentId":452400,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"ejronin"}
          #3.2 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 1:34 PM EST
          {"commentId":452516,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

          There is another possiblity.

          It's possible that Riaz Noor is a real person, and is telling the truth.

          {"commentId":452516,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}
          • 2 votes
          #3.3 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:35 PM EST
          {"commentId":452524,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}

          Certainly, if I were trying to publish widely what I perceived an injustice and had little tools to do so other than the Internet, I would probably use a boiler-plate script, also. Typing up a new response for every forum would be incredibly inefficient.

          {"commentId":452524,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
            #3.4 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:48 PM EST
            {"commentId":452559,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

            I don't know. He took time to register on Newsvine. He might as well write a decent comment.

            What surprises me is that he didn't stay on to argue his case suggesting that his only goal as to put out bad info about Miftah.

            {"commentId":452559,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}
              #3.5 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:25 PM EST
              {"commentId":452685,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

              There's nothing in that paragraph that identifies Riaz Noor's location. This could be a Pakistani person who speaks very little English, and has managed to write a (poorly written) paragraph explaining the situation. I doubt that someone in that circumstance would write a tailored response very time the need arises.

              {"commentId":452685,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}
              • 1 vote
              #3.6 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 6:33 PM EST
              {"commentId":452729,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

              I don't think so because I read the threads on which s/he posted which I found on Google. He wrote better and also wrote an article saying something to the effect of "We'll come to the airport to see you off Jamal Miftah". This taunt suggests s/he's in the US. In the comment I posted above, RIAZN had written

              I was visiting Pakistan this year and learn about the fraud, on my return I notified the FBI in June,

              In fact-rereading the RIAZN comment I become even more doubtful of him/her.

              {"commentId":452729,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}
                #3.7 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 6:59 PM EST
                {"commentId":452801,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

                I invited Riaz Noor to post his side of the story with more detail. He indicated he was on the site as we spoke.

                Jamal Miftah says Noor is not his cousin. He says his wife's name is not Nageena. He has threatened to sue both the Mosque and Riaz Noor in separate suits.

                He denies all accusations and questions Noor's motive for just coming out with these accusations after 20 years.

                Noor indicates that he just heard about Miftah's alleged immigration fraud this year, hence his reporting to the FBI as he claims.

                The enthralling saga continues........

                {"commentId":452801,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}
                  #3.8 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:51 PM EST
                  Reply
                  {"commentId":452822,"authorDomain":"USAPK1"}

                  Hi I am riaz Noor from Tulsa Oklahoma I have been living united state from 1979.jamal miftah is my first cousin from my mother side. i am just tying to expose Jamal miftah for what he is .I filed a complain with authorities in June about Jamal miftah steeling my sister nageena(she was his first wife that he killed) id and bringing his 2nd wife under my dead sister name. Jamal miftah started all this thing about the masque after his sister (the one who sponcer him and his wife) was interviw by FBI.
                  Jamal knows that the truth will come out soon and he will face deportation. So he started this thing with the masque he knows the media will jump on it and he will become poor Jamal and America will not deport him. What he did is a crime especially after 9/11.
                  I am a simple man with a mission to expose this fraud. It is not about his view this is about the crime he committed against my sister and America. I am not very good with writing I just wrote one latter and I copy and paste to all the site that Jamal miftah is on just to expose him.

                  Riaz Noor

                  {"commentId":452822,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"USAPK1"}
                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#4 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:06 PM EST
                  {"commentId":455199,"authorDomain":"koozebane"}

                  I'm sure the IP would be easy to identify.

                  If it isn't from Tulsa, we have a big red flag.

                  {"commentId":455199,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"koozebane"}
                  • 2 votes
                  #4.1 - Mon Jan 1, 2007 11:08 PM EST
                  Reply
                  {"commentId":452837,"authorDomain":"lucidweyland"}

                  There is another possiblity.

                  It's possible that Riaz Noor is a real person, and is telling the truth.

                  Well, I believe what I said was that his story wasn't credible. In other words, it's possible he's telling the truth, but I really have no idea whether he is or not.

                  {"commentId":452837,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"lucidweyland"}
                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#5 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:25 PM EST
                  {"commentId":453002,"authorDomain":"USAPK1"}

                  Mr. Jamal Miftah was married to my sister Nageena on 28 March 1984 (I have the marriage certificate). Jamal Miftah killed Nageena on the 20th of May 1987in the city of Karachi Pakistan. Nageena's date of birth is 1967. Jamal father and my uncle covered up the murder. Police was paid (common practice in poor country of Pakistan) Jamal brothers just 3 years ago gave a written statement that Jamal miftah has in fact killed my sister and the murder was covered up. As soon is Jamal miftah goes back to Pakistan he will be arrested for my sister murder and obtain passport and Pakistani ID card under false pretences. Why we did not fill charges at the time of my sister murder? , My father was past away I was in America. And my mother and young brothers and sisters were not able to do anything. You have to understand that Pakistan is a very poor country and if you don't have money or influence you are in truble.you just take what life gives you.

                  Riaz Noor
                  By the way Jamal full name is Jamaluddin Miftah

                  {"commentId":453002,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"USAPK1"}
                  • 1 vote
                  #5.1 - Sat Dec 30, 2006 10:54 PM EST
                  {"commentId":453262,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

                  It will be nice, Riaz if you could post the whole story in your column from your perspective. Please be carefu making statements unless you have strong proof of them. Miftah has threatened to sue you. And even if your claims are true, if you can not prove them, you could lose in court.

                  {"commentId":453262,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}
                    #5.2 - Sun Dec 31, 2006 8:26 AM EST
                    Reply
                    {"commentId":453528,"authorDomain":"USAPK1"}

                    we are ready.we got all the necessary paperwork authorities got all the paper work.

                    {"commentId":453528,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"USAPK1"}
                      Reply#6 - Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:20 PM EST
                      {"commentId":459510,"authorDomain":"toryanandrews"}

                      Hello everyone, I am glad that there are impartial people in this thread and are analyzing the situation rationally. Just like Oluseye Bassir, I too have been following up the saga over different blogs, which were not leading anywhere either because Riaz had the authority to delete my comments when he couldn't face it, or there had only been allegations and no substantial argument.

                      It only seemed as an argumentum ad hominem where character is being targeted instead of the argument itself. So far, nothing has been proved by Riaz and I am looking forward for at least one single point which will establish anything at all.

                      The only reason I have for not believing Riaz ( I am sure it is for most of you as well) is that he apparently is using internet to get himself justice. If he has notified the authorities, there is no need to publish the whole story all over the internet, I don't think there is any point in making such attempt. It is funny how Riaz explains why has he copied and pasted the same story all over the internet, he is living in US since 1979 and STILL doesn't know how to write, even a kid of grade 1 would have done a better job.

                      The story defined can only be possible in a hollywood suspence movie, not real life where you could get away with a murder and then changing your wife's ID three times, if Jamal has really done so, he should be appointed as FBI's cheif.. anyways jokes apart, lets continue.

                      We can imagine the level of Riaz's mentality by having a look at this blog where Riaz, when couldnt prove anything, accuses the owner of the site to be Jamal himself..

                      So we can expect him to call all of us Jamal when he, once again, will not be able to prove anything at all.

                      I may sound biased to everyone of you, and yes there is a reason for that. I have repeatedly been saying in every comment of mine everywhere that since Riaz is the one making allegation, burden of proof lies on him and not on Jamal, so Riaz is the one who will have to make all the explanations here. I would like to mention here for information of all readers that Riaz has been deleting my posts wherever he could, accusing me of being Jamal.

                      There are a few possibilities why Riaz may be coming up with a fabricated story and publishing it all over the internet. The very first one is he may be one of those infuriated with Jamal's article and wants to take some action at least to retaliate, i dont think i need to go into further explanation on this point, everyone understands it. It also seems as if Riaz wants to provoke Jamal to harm him and then he can make him suffer, otherwise no need of publishing it on net.

                      After all these aspects, we still can give Riaz benefit of the doubt but we yet have to see anything that has a strong base and is supported by solid arguments and evidences. We all will support Riaz, if he is successful in proving his point. I once again will advice Riaz to refrain from splashing this story too much and let the authorities do their job, if Jamal is a murderer after all, he could kill you as well....

                      {"commentId":459510,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"toryanandrews"}
                        Reply#7 - Thu Jan 4, 2007 8:35 PM EST
                        {"commentId":463519,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}
                        I once again will advice Riaz to refrain from splashing this story too much and let the authorities do their job, if Jamal is a murderer after all, he could kill you as well....

                        This statement could be (mis) interpreted as a threat.

                        I think you should not question why anybody would publicise his story if truly his sister was murdered.

                        Do you have a blog Ryan?

                        {"commentId":463519,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}
                          #7.1 - Sun Jan 7, 2007 7:15 PM EST
                          Reply
                          {"commentId":463494,"authorDomain":"jamal-miftah"}

                          Well this is Jamal Miftah

                          It is very sad to see the kind of commentaries, allegations and slurs going on some of blogs by Riaz Noor (or someone claiming to be Riaz Noor) and another person claiming to be Alex. I feel now is the time for some clarifications and facts.

                          First, about the allegations leveled by Alex, about Riaz's father and sister;

                          I have known his father, who died in early 80's because of kidney failure, for many years and so far as I know he was a real gentleman, not an addict and respected in society.

                          As regards his sister, who died in 1987 because of suicide, I would like to add that she was a pious girl and it is deplorable that this guy is suggesting an extra matrimonial affair for her.

                          To me it appears to be an effort by some one to spice up the issue. Mr. Riaz (or some one claiming to be Riaz) is accusing me for calling him names or for making these allegations. The electronic address of the source for such accusations can be easily detected by comparing it with my address and the blogger can probably detect these and in all fairness should report those.

                          This is the first time ever that I am commenting in blog on any of the allegations leveled by any party.

                          I moved to USA in 2003 along with my wife and four kids. I am a legal resident here along with my wife and four kids.

                          The petition for my green card was filed by my sister, who is an American citizen, in Pakistan six month after my marriage and which was much later then the tragic death of Riaz's sister (as per his claim she died in May of 1987). The claim of using his sister's identity by my wife is thus farce.

                          If the person accusing me of killing his sister 20 years from now is Riaz Noor and is genuine in his claim, then why he choose to wait so long to make this claim?

                          Why he has been inviting me (the killer of his sister, as per his claim) and my family to his place for dinners on several occasions since my arrival in US in March of 2003?

                          The fact of the matter is that at the time when his sister attempted suicide, his other sister (Shahida) was there along with others. They took her to Jinnah Hospital in Karachi and after struggling with life for more then 10 hours and two major surgeries to save her life; she died on the night of May 21, 1987 (which can be verified from Hospital record).

                          So he knows how his sister died and that's why never challenged her suicide before.

                          Now let me put forth some other facts:

                          - The person he is referring to as the one who gave statement three years ago about killing of his sister is in fact the one who was tried by Accountability Bureau in Pakistan on several cases of corruption and in one of the corruption cases that he was tried, I was a Prosecution witness (state witness) and he got convicted in that case.

                          - Of his total attendance to the mosque in Tulsa in last three years, 90% of Riaz's attendance has been witnessed by some of the regular mosque goers after October 29th, 2006. Why a sudden surge for love of mosque after publishing of my article.

                          Now if it is really Riaz Noor writing these comments and notes;

                          - Then is he trying to sell his sister's death to some vested interests - Or is he trying to side track the main issue, the abnormal reaction to an Anti Al Qaida article by Tulsa Mosque leadership, which leads every one into believing that apparently the mosque leadership (or a major part of mosque leader ship) has sympathies for Al Qaida or is an Al Qaida Sleeper Cell. - Or he is himself an Al Qaida sympathizer or may be part of the sleeper cell.

                          I may add here that post 9/11, American immigration and FBI are more vigilant and it is too foolish an assertion that they can be fooled by a news paper article. Facts speak for themselves and they have the facts.

                          Probably after failure in his earlier conspiracies for exploiting commonalities in portion of names, he (or somebody who may have the knowledge or with whose connivance those false complaints were made) has started another campaign for reasons elaborated in the earlier paragraph.

                          I will not be making any comments further then this, as I intend to take legal action against Tulsa mosque leadership and also the ones who are trying to malign my reputation and am confident that the truth will prevail.

                          JAMAL MIFTAH
                          jamalmiftah@sbcglobal.net

                          {"commentId":463494,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"jamal-miftah"}
                            Reply#8 - Sun Jan 7, 2007 6:58 PM EST
                            {"commentId":463504,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

                            Hi Jamal,

                            Thanks for commenting. Would you consider publishing a complete rebuttal of Riaz Noor. Please make as many facts available as are accessible to you.

                            {"commentId":463504,"threadId":"64409","contentId":"499600","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}
                              #8.1 - Sun Jan 7, 2007 7:05 PM EST
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