ISNA Calls for the Release of Amir Hekmati

Press Release

File:  Amir Hekmati, the former US Marine who was arrested, detained, and tried by Iran.

The Islamic Society of North America expresses great concern over the case of Amir Hekmati, currently imprisoned in Iran.  He was formerly sentenced to death on charges of espionage. These charges were vacated one year ago on March 5th, yet his case remains unresolved. We understand that the U.S. State Department has clearly confirmed that Amir is not a member of the CIA.

Amir’s case has been met with much support and advocacy throughout the Muslim community in the West. We ask that the sovereign nation of Iran show Islamic mercy on Amir, for he has endured many hardships including a hunger strike after being placed in solitary confinement for 16 months. As the largest community of Muslims in America, ISNA pleads for clemency in the case of Amir Hekmati, and urges for the immediate release of Amir to return to America to be with his family and ailing father who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.

ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid said, “We believe in the Islamic principles of mercy and justice and appeal to the Islamic Republic of Iran to remember God’s words in the Holy Qur’an: ‘Verily! God commands that you should render back the trusts to those to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice’ (4:58).”

Amir’s sister, Sarah, posted a petition, calling on the U.S. Senate and U.S. State Department to do all they can to bring Amir home. 

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