A statement by The International Quranic Center regarding travel ban imposed on Abdullateef Sa’eed

Friday August 28/2010

First

1- During the third wave of Quranists apprehension dated May 2007, a group was arrested, and amongst them was Mr. Abdullateef Sa’eed, half brother of Dr. Ahmad Subhy Mansour, president of I.Q.C. They were subjected to severe torture while in protective custody, to be released by court on October 2007 for lack of evidence, since there was no case against them to start with.

2- on April 24/2009, Mr. Abdullateef Sa’eed was banned from travelling to Washington D.C. to attend a conference about Democracy. On that occasion, the I.Q.C. issued a statement titled:

(Prior to expected visit to Washington by President Mubarak, State security prevents representative of I.Q.C. in Egypt from attending a conference in America about the future relationship between U.S. and Muslim World)

3- Mr. Abdullateef Sa’eed filed a lawsuit with the Administrative Judiciary on May 5^th 2009. While case was being reviewed by Administrative Judiciary court, the judge asked the state to provide reasons for travel ban, upon which the court was informed that he was not banned from travelling and that his name was not listed on records as such.

4- Accordingly, on November 18^th 2009, he attempted to travel to Sudan to attend a soccer game between Egypt and Algiers, whereupon, he was not only banned from travelling, but was also incarcerated for one week by state security agents at Shubra District.

5- On March 30^th/2010, a court decree was issued allowing him to travel without hindrance. The decree had an executive nature to be implemented by force if needed.

6- Due to a sudden deterioration in Dr. A.S.Mansour’s mother’s health, she will be heading to U.S. for medical observations and treatment on August 29^th/2010. Her age (over 80), her medical condition and her very limited vision, necessitate a companion in her travel. Her son, Abdullateef Sa’eed will accompany her in her travel.

7- Mr. Abdullateef Sa’eed, is concerned that the state security will again prohibits him from travelling for the third time, notwithstanding the court decree allowing him to travel, thereby adversely affecting the medical condition of his mother.

Second:   

 After providing the aforementioned facts, the I.Q.C. states that:

• If the travel ban did take place, then the one who assumes the responsibility of such an act is President Hosni Mubarak personally. He frequently attested that the Emergency Law applies only to terrorists and criminals, yet it is being employed to harass innocent aggrieved and their relatives.
• If this ban contributes any hardships, medical or otherwise, to Dr. A.S. Mansour’s mother, the responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of President Hosni Mubarak personally.
• The I.Q.C. appeals to the conscience of representatives of all honorable free press to question President Mubarak while in Washington, why is he persecuting the Quranists, who are but peaceful Muslim scholars calling for peaceful, non-violent reforms, and why the extent of persecution reaches the levels of  repeated and continued arrests and detentions, continued tortures and continued legal persecutions.
• The I.Q.C. concentrates in its efforts for religious reform on research studies, does not give political issues precedence over religious matters. It has always pursued a policy of patience and tolerance in the face of injustice and oppression. But if this travel ban were to occur for the third time, then the Center will consider opposing tyranny and oppression its top priority.  There is a limit to what one can withstand of oppression and persecution, where tolerance and forgiveness are no longer useful.

It is published on our site at this link:

http://www.ahl-alquran.com/arabic/show_article.php?main_id=6958

Dr. Ahmed Subhy Mansour

President,

The International Quranic Center (IQC)

5314 Pillow LN , Springfield , VA , 22151

Tel: (703) 370-8137

Fax: (312) 281-2859

Email: ahmed.mansour@ahl-alquran.com

Website: www.ahl-alquran.com