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Local Muslims Celebrate Win In Trial's Wake

By CHRIS ECHEGARAY cechegaray@tampatrib.com

Published: Dec 10, 2005

TEMPLE TERRACE - For Hatim Fariz, the oud - incense - smelled sweeter and the lamb tasted better in the wake of his acquittals on terrorism-related charges.

Fariz went table to table, hugging and shaking hands at a community celebration Friday at the Islamic Community of Tampa on 130th Avenue.

"This feels good," Fariz said. "I am not going to sit down until I feed all my guests first. It's all good right now. I feel very fortunate."

Fariz, a former office manager at a medical clinic in Spring Hill, was acquitted of 25 charges, and no verdict was reached on eight others.

He didn't want to talk about that. He wanted to rejoice.

More than 150 people, Muslims and non-Muslims, attended Friday's celebration to bring together supporters of Fariz, Sami Al-Arian, Ghassan Ballut and Sameeh Hammoudeh - the four co-defendants in federal court. None was convicted.

On Friday night, Latinos, whites, Christians, Jews - mostly activists - said only Al-Arian's presence could have made the event better. The former University of South Florida professor remains imprisoned as prosecutors decide whether to pursue the charges that weren't decided.

Connie Arteaga, of Cuba Vive and Pastors for Peace, met some of the Muslim supporters for the first time. Arteaga sat with Pilar Saad, a longtime friend of the Al-Arians.

"They've destroyed the career of this good man," Arteaga said in Spanish. "For three years, he has gone through this. This has to stop."

Al-Arian's attorney, Linda Moreno, said she has not received word from the government about retrying the case.

"He has an unbelievable spirit," Saad said. "He is always optimistic. To me, that's incredible."

Al-Arian's wife, Nahla, was greeted with hugs and kisses. Her victory was theirs, as well.

Before dinner, Ahmed Bedier, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations' central Florida chapter, was asked to give the sermon.

He said Muslims must participate in all levels of society: politics, education and law enforcement. He mixed humor with his message.

"Yes, I asked them to work in the FBI," Bedier said. "But as agents, not as informants."

"In the name of God, open the doors of goodness, of peace," a dozen Muslims sang in Arabic.