American Muslims Rejected By Ashcroft

Major American Muslim groups pleaded with the Justice Department and got the cold shoulder. During Ramadan, Muslims are required by their religion to give money to the poor. These groups came to the Justice Dept. voluntarily and asked for a list of Islamic charities they could donate to without supporting terrorism or being suspected of supporting terrorism. Tough, said Justice. We'll tell you AFTER you've inadvertantly screwed up.

"If the government knows there are charities that are misleading the American Muslim community, it's their obligation to help protect these innocent Americans," said Sohail Mohammed, a lawyer for the New Jersey-based American Muslim Union, according to USA Today.

Since 2001, John Ashcroft has raided or shut down numerous US Islamic charities. But his perfect track record remains intact: none of the raids have led to terrorism-related convictions.

"Mohamed Younes, president of the American Muslim Union, was disappointed by the Justice Department's response. "We are trying to do the right thing and we asked for a little help," he said to USA Today. "At least we tried.""