Islamberg, New York

Islamberg is a community founded by Imam Al Sheik Mubarik Ali Shah Jilani Hashimi, it is a branch of Muslims of the Americas Inc., a tax-exempt organization formed in 1980 by Pakistani Sufi cleric Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani, who refers to himself as "the sixth Sultan Ul Faqr," Gilani, has been linked to Jamaat ul-Fuqra [ [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2002/9025.htm U.S. Department of State] Daily Press Briefing March 27, 2002] or “community of the impoverished.

It got its start about 20 years ago in the Catskills mountains within Hancock New York, when — inspired by the words of the Sufi cleric, a group of primarily black Muslims from Brooklyn left New York City to escape crime, poverty and racism. Aiming to lead what they believed was a peaceful and holy Muslim life, they built a community of some 40 family houses, their own grocery store and a bookstore.

And they weren't alone. Other groups, also inspired by Gilani, have set up similar communities in 19 other states. According to the group's own Web site, the Islamberg community is still "struggling," and is asking for donations to complete its mosque.

According to locals, the land previously belonged to a Deposit, N.Y., woman who opened up her home in the in the late 1970s or early '80s to disadvantaged youths from the city so that they could avoid being led astray by a financially and morally bankrupt urban environment. [ [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,281074,00.html FOXNews.com - Islamberg: A Terror Compound in New York ... or Misunderstood Neighbors? - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News ] ] Allegations of verbal threats of violence against a blogger on behalf of the community have been reported, and documented by the Spokane Police Department. [ [http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/cover051507.htm Canada Free Press] “Blogger Who Posted CFP Islamberg Story Had Life Threatened”. Tuesday, May 15, 2007]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.islamberg.org/ Islamberg Official Website]
* [http://www.iqou-moa.org/muslim_scouts/ FBI letter; Islamberg Hiking Club]