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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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30 October 2008

Campaign Update: Prisoners of Faith – Sheikh Omar Abul Rahman’s health deteriorates

Contents
1. Summary
2. Background
3. Action required
4. Sample letters

1. Summary

According to recent reports, health of Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman, the elderly Egyptian sheikh imprisoned in the US in 1995 under sedition laws last used during the American civil war, has severely deteriorated. In a telephone conversation with his family a few days ago, he told them to pray for him.

2. Background

According to recent reports, the health of Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman, the elderly Egyptian sheikh imprisoned in the US in 1995 under sedition laws last used during the American civil war, has severely deteriorated. In a telephone conversation with his family a few days ago, he told them to pray for him.

Reports state that Sheikh Omar suffers from “chronic headaches whose cause has not been diagnosed and sleep disorders, as well as the effects of diabetes and old age”. Further, he “has difficulty getting around and so is confined to a wheelchair”.

Sheikh Omar has been reportedly held in solitary confinement for the past 13 years and has been physically abused on many occasions. He has had his religious rights violated and has been subjected to strip searches every time he had a visitor. He reportedly stated in the telephone conversation to his family that “There is nothing but the Quran to stave off the madness”.

Reports reveal that Sheikh Omar’s family will request permission to visit him in USA , following the election of the new president in November 2008, and will demand for him to be returned to Egypt . Reports also state that Sheikh Omar’s family requested to visit him in 2001 and 2004 but were denied in return.

Please visit Sheikh Omar’s campaign page to download campaign pack: https://www.ihrc.org.uk/show.php?id=2910

You can also visit Asharq Al-Awsat ( London daily) article for more information: http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=14550 *

[*IHRC is not responsible for the content of external websites, nor endorses them by providing their link.]

3. Action required

a. Write a personal letter to Sheikh Omar and offer him your support and prayers in his difficult times.

Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman 34892-054

FMC Butner
Federal Medical Center
P.O. Box 1600
Butner, NC 27509
USA

b. Write to the prison warden and appeal to him to ensure Sheikh Omar gets proper health care.

Warden
FMC BUTNER
FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER
P.O. BOX 1600
BUTNER , NC 27509
USA

Fax: 919-575-4801
Email: BUH/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV

4. Sample letters
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Sample letters are given below for your convenience. Please note that model letters can be sent directly or adjusted as necessary to include further details. If you receive a reply to the letter you send, we request you to send a copy of the letter you sent and the reply you received to IHRC. This is extremely important as it helps IHRC to monitor the situation with regards to our campaigns and to improve upon the current model letters.

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1. Sample letter to Prison Warden

[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Warden
FMC BUTNER
FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER
P.O. BOX 1600
BUTNER , NC 27509
USA

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Omar Abdul Rahman, Reg No. 34892-054

I am very concerned about the current health situation of inmate number, 34892-054, Omar Abdul Rahman.

Mr Rahman is an elderly man and is currently suffering from serious illnesses including diabetes and heart problems. Physician reports state that ‘his overall prognosis is poor.’ Further according to recent reports that he is suffering from chronic headaches and sleep disorders and that he is confined to a wheel chair.

Recent reports also reveal that he has been placed in solitary confinement for the past 13 years.

I am deeply concerned about his state of health and his prison conditions. I request you to provide him immediate and appropriate health care and ensure that his prison conditions do not have a detrimental affect on his health. Please ensure that he is not held in solitary confinement and that he is allowed full access to his family members and lawyers.

I look forward to your assurance regarding this urgent matter.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Name]

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For more information, please contact the office on the numbers or email below:

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For more information, please contact the office on the numbers or email below.

“And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, (of) those who say: Our Lord! Cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper.”
Holy Qur’an: Chapter 4, Verse 75

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Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
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