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American Muslims Converted in Prison

There is talk that prison conversion to Islam is a cause of radical extremism. The planned attacks on Jewish Institutions in New York City have brought this issue under the microscope. Three of the men arrested in the terror plot were converted in prison. Salahuddin Mustafa Muhammad is the imam at the Masjid al-Ikhlas, a mosque in Newburgh, N.Y. He has spent a great deal of time ministering to Muslims in prison.

Mr. Muhammad says that he does not here the extremist talk amongst the men he works with. He also states that if he did, he would stamp it out. Such extremism is not Islamic in his opinion. It is important to understand these are isolated cases and that the direction of Islam in prison is that of reformation and community uplifting. Islam is more often a moderating influence on prisoners. Making them turn away from drugs and crime.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/nyregion/24convert.html?ref=us

© 2009 American Muslim Observer.