NL. + fAND REGION IL, @DL. Stor ss Perr tera Rebentan Lage #8 March 8, 2004 Dr. Yusef Abou Afisban Islamic Society af Boston Project Dinector 204 Prospect Street Combridge, MA O2139 Dear 10, Abou. AUlaban, We are reacting out fo you oul of concer about allegations in a sexies of articles that have appeare:l in the Boston Herald that regard the Islamic Society of Hoston. As yon know, here in Boston religious gioups haves a Jong tadiion of interfakth collaboration rooted in a commitinent to building bridges between our coinmunities This is work snat has special vesonance ia 2 tune thal is Fraught with so much lension and hostility. vis for this reason thot ADL ha: dedicated itself «© prosuuiing inter aith and iverpoup . understanding and standing up agains) afl forse of @iscrimvination and prejudice. We may wor always agice, bul stiving. 10 oderstand one anoilier and find ways to co-exist as members of reepectfia an tolerant communities i¢ etementat 10 out way of hfe. ‘As we are sare that you are aware, the avtiches ws the Bpsion Herald, the latest of whidn came out today, have made serions sllegaiions about certain individuals acsociuled with the Islamic Society of Bosion and the development ofits new culhici center. fn Fic, today’s article alleges that a member af the Board uf Dizector’s of the Islimni: Sovie'y of Boston, Dr. ‘Walid Fitohi, tas staied views that promote vinsleat hostility iowards Jews and thew faith. In oiher articles these have been allegations that people who ue auiive supporters of the Islamic Society of Bocran have, be: linked (0 ongeuizations thét ate. on ihe State Departments list of tesrouist ‘organizations Needless (0, say, these allegotions are estremely wouttug and not suprisingly we we receiving may inquiies froin enncerne| citizens about them. We recognize that. friends and ocighbors of goodwill are ascosiated with the Istamuc Sorvety of Boston and are waging the! people Hol Hemp f6 conclusions and jastead allow you Le upportumity 10 respenil Sis0us, 998 GTSBs the statements attributed zo Dr. Fitahi or any ofthe other allegations ace tn facl accurate, we (rust that you will join wilh us in condemning them Hf on the Gther hand, they arc jnacewratc, i wall be of great importance that you clarify the record as soen as possibile Our efforts to build a trusting, community are rooted im our shared commitment 10 intergroup and interfaith respecl. We would welcome the opportunity to meet and diceuse these issues with you. Thank yon-for your consideration of ows concerts. Sincerely, Ginny WacBhsiscl. Rete tech. ee feted bcincd ey asia ie