August 4, 2018 | 5:30 PM
August 4 Events Will Mark 14th Anniversary of Arrests of Albany Muslims
On Saturday, August 4, the Muslim Solidarity Committee will sponsor events to mark the 14th anniversary of the arrests in 2004 of Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain, two Albany Muslims later convicted in 2006 on spurious terrorism charges in a shameful “sting” trial. The events are free and open to all.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. on August 4, supporters will gather outside the Masjid As-Salam, 280 Central Ave., for a rally. Aref was the imam there at the time of his arrest; Hossain was a co-founder of the mosque. Supporters will then march a few blocks to the First Unitarian Universalist Society, 405 Washington Ave., where dinner will be served at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., the Project SALAM Players will perform a short play written by Steve Downs, “To Catch a Muslim.”
The events of August 4 are co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Capital District Coalition Against Islamophobia, Capital Region Chapter of Coalition for Civil Freedoms, Masjid As-Salam, New York Civil Liberties Union Capital Region Chapter, Project SALAM, Save the Pine Bush, Social Responsibilities Council of First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, and Veterans for Peace/Tom Paine Chapter.
Visit the the Facebook event page for more information or contact Lynne Jackson, (518) 366-7324, lynnejackson@mac.com