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NEWS & LETTERS, October-November 2006Muslim prisoners fight discriminationThe month of Ramadan is upon us. Many of you reading this may not be Muslims, but you do stand in defiance against all forms of discrimination. As Muslims, we are obligated to observe our fast. For some time now, Muslim prisoners housed in the Secured Housing Unit (SHU) of Wabash Valley Correctional Facility have experienced discrimination, disrespect, and harassment trying to communicate with Chaplain Bob Nemergut who is responsible for processing the Ramadan list every year. For the past three years, the chaplain has prevented Muslim prisoners from being approved to receive the Eid-ul-fitr (end of Ramadan feast meal). We were recently informed, once again, as a result of interference from Bob Nemergut, that Muslim prisoners in disciplinary segregation would not be receiving our feast meal. Bob Nemergut’s reasoning was that due to security precautions we could not receive our feast meal. This man has been given free authority to expose his views that Muslim prisoners on the SHU are not serious nor sincere. The fast begins on Sept. 24 and ends on Oct. 24. We appeal to everyone to stand in solidarity with us and expose Chaplain Nemergut for his unprofessional, unethical, racist, discriminatory attitude toward Muslims. Call or write and demand that all Muslims housed on the SHU be afforded their rights to receive the feast meal and all rights in Indiana prisons. These are our demands: • That Muslims housed on the SHU receive the feast meal of Eid-ul-fitr. • Demand an explanation if the meals are denied. • That meals be delivered on time by staff. • That Muslims not be subjected to harassment by staff during the fast. • That all Islamic meals be treated with utmost care • That WVCF hires a Muslim cleric or imam to govern over Islamic affairs. • That all Ramadan meals are hot, nutritious and adequately proportioned (and not diminished by Aramark). • That meals are provided at appropriate times (before dawn and after sundown). • That all Muslims on the SHU are allowed to travel their journey through the month of Ramadan in an on-going state of peace (to complete obligations to Allah without hindrance). Anyone wanting to monitor the progress of events may contact us with solidarity communications or questions about the conditions. Peace and blessings to you all. —Brother Malik Khaldun and Shavaughn Carlos Wilson-El Call or write: Assistant Superintendent of Operations, James Hendrix, P.O. Box 500, Carlisle, IN 47838. |
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