Further details on Lodi imam

I had posted yesterday that Shabbir Ahmed arrested in Lodi on immigration violations was now being accused of trying to incite followers to kill Americans. The Lodi News has further details.

Paul Nishiie, assistant chief counsel with Immigration and Citizenship Enforcement asked Ahmed about Jamira Farooqia, the Pakistani school where he was a scholar and teacher. Ahmed responded that some of the students at the school had went to Afghanistan to fight. Ahmed also gave 5 speeches in Pakistan and that one of his speeches led to riots. A tape from his questioning was played during the hearing in which Ahmed admits making anti-American speeches.

Ahmed said his views of America changed when he came here 3 years ago and that he regrets making the speeches. He said that since his arrest he has been treated with respect and that everyone receives justice.

FBI investigators stated that they have been investigating possible terrorists ties in Lodi for several years. The case sped up when it was learned that Hamid Hayat(one of the two charged with links to Al-Qaeda) had boarded a plane to the US after spending two years in Pakistan.

It is good to see that the FBI is doing its job and investigating groups that are possibly linked to terrorists. We never hear of ongoing investigations so it may seem like potential terrorists cells/groups are not being investigated. It's good to know that in at least this case, our backs are being covered.

Clarity & Resolve has a good post about why we shouldn't take too seriously Ahmed's change of heart in California Jihadin'