The Tempe man indicted on two counts of giving false information to the FBI occasionally attended religious services at a Islamic mosque near ASU.
Though he isn’t an accredited member of Tempe’s Islamic Cultural Center, Faisal Michael al Salmi frequented the ICC mosque on East Sixth Street.
Al Salmi was last seen at the ICC prior to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and was first seen there over a year ago, said ICC spokesman Ahmad al Akoum.
“He used to worship here,” al Akoum said. “He was a normal guy. He attended study circles. Nothing was out of the ordinary.”
Al Akoum also said he “didn’t think (al Salmi) was involved” because of how the FBI had misinterpreted the words of ICC members in the past.
“The FBI has twisted the words of our people here,” al Akoum said.
ICC members are now being urged to seek legal guidance before speaking with the FBI.
“We are telling our people to have a lawyer or interpreter present,” al Akoum said. “We are telling them to help authorities, but in front of a lawyer.”
David Hadley, spokesman for the Islamic Society of the Greater Phoenix Area, agreed with al Akoum that the FBI was conducting a “witch hunt.”
He suggested the words of Muslims could be easily misunderstood because of the language barrier between an Arabic-speaking interviewee and an English-speaking government agent.
“It’s so important that both parties understand clearly,” he said. “That could be the case with (al Salmi)."
Al Akoum said he thought al Salmi was a student and would come to the mosque after classes. Al Salmi indeed enrolled as a student at Mesa Community College, but it is unclear if he has shown up for classes this semester.
Al Salmi was being held in federal custody in New York on Friday and will eventually be flown back to Arizona.
“If he lied to the FBI, let him deal with it,” al Akoum said. “As a Muslim, you cannot lie. It’s one of the biggest sins.”
