Islamberg, New York

Islamberg is a rural village in the town of Hancock in Delaware County , New York , United States , within the region of the Catskill Mountains . It is a community founded by Imam Al Sheik Mubarik Ali Shah Jilani Hashimi , a Pakistani Sufi cleric more generally known as Mubarak Ali Gilani, and is a branch of Muslims of the Americas , a U.S. organization formed in 1980. Gilani, who refers to himself as "the sixth Sultan Ul Faqr," has been accused of being linked to Jamaat ul-Fuqra or "community of the impoverished," though the accusations have not been substantiated. Gilani states this about his followers and allegations of a "Jumaat al Fuqra": "In regard to the name, they say MOA is a front for Jamaat al Fuqra. Can our enemies show me, in my own writing, where I said I established Jamaat al Fuqra or its offices here in Pakistan or in America? That is Faqr, which many mistranslate as 'poverty.' I also advocate that none of my followers aspire for worldly power or the accumulation of wealth. They just want to work hard and live wholesome lives, raising families following the slogan: 'Mankind is the family of God.' They try to keep bringing this name Jamaat al Faqra, but we don’t acknowledge it. Of course, when I went to the American people, many were living on welfare, using drugs, involved in crimes; some were Black Panther nationalists and most belonged to the Dar Ul Islam movement, an extremist Wahabi organization, with offices in New York. When I landed in JFK I didn’t know where to go. The Holy Last Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) went to five of their elders and told them that he had sent Sheikh Gilani as his (peace and blessing be upon him) khalifa.... All submitted and turned away from the Wahabis [an extremist, Saudi-funded group]. They stopped living on welfare and became straightforward Muslims, dedicated for all times to learning Islam. They are the founding fathers of MOA and are still dear to me. None ever called themselves Jamaat ul Fuqra." The village was founded in the late 1980s, when — inspired by the words of the Sufi Sheikh— a group of primarily Affrican-American Muslims from Brooklyn left New York City to escape crime, poverty and racism. Aiming to lead a peaceful and independent Muslim life, they built a community of some 40 family houses, their own grocery store and a bookstore. It has been stated that some individuals that occupy the village are former federal prisoners and have been recruited through the prison system. MOA spokespersons have stated that the community has strict guidelines about not associating with anyone involved in criminal activity until they are able to reform themselves.¹ Islamberg is the first of a number of villages set up through the direction and tutelage of El Sheikh Gilani. Similar communities have been founded in 21 other areas.² According to the group's own Web site, the Islamberg community is asking for donations to complete its mosque. News agencies have reported speculation that the group is operating as a terrorist training camp. Sheikh Gilani notes on the website: "The Muslims of Americas has been functioning for the last thirty years, and during that time there has not been a single incident - no one has ever risen against their country (America) or its people (Americans). They have lived as role models of peaceful Muslims, law abiding citizens, who have cultivated good relations with their neighbors. The MOA support [the] rescue and relief team [that] was present on the second day of the 911 disaster." Sheikh Jilani responded to the 60 Minutes reporter George Crile's question about his followers being perceived as potential sleeper cells waiting for a time to commit some terrible act of terror: "Why?... Muslims in America are better off in America than anywhere else in the world. They have more freedom, more facilities of life. Ok, they do something against their country, where will they go? Muslims in America will never do anything negative against their country. That's my directive to you, and to them." The organization has been accused of having training videos in which individuals are trained in guerrilla warfare, showing Sheikh Gilani in the 1970's and 1980's being saluted by color guard members. These have later been claimed as the property of the Kashmiri Freedom fighters, used to prevent the genocide being committed by armed Indian civilians and security forces. The color guard salute was given to El Sheikh Gilani due to his influence in assisting the situation there. No hard evidence has been provided linking the communities to guerrilla training in the U.S., though there are claims of individuals who have left the communities reporting such activities.³ According to locals, the land previously belonged to a woman from Deposit, New York , who opened up her home in the late 1970s or early 1980s to disadvantaged youths from the city so that they could avoid being led astray by a financially and morally bankrupt urban environment.⁴ Though relations with local towns and communities are reported as cooperative, including World Peace rallies, multifaith celebrations of the life and influence of Jesus, and relief efforts including the floods in Delaware and Broome County, NY, hurricane Katrina, and September 11, Islamberg has made it to the news on multiple occasions when reporters and film makers have attempted to film the village.⁵ Reluctant villagers generally do not give interviews or permit media filming on the properties, though Al Arabiya was allowed to do an investigative report on Islamberg and the claims against it. Al Arabiya interviewed the leaders of the community, filmed the community and was invited into the villagers' homes. .⁶ Islamberg recently made headlines in 2007 when, after a blogger had made negative comments about the community, claimed he was threatened in a violent fashion by a foreigner over the phone.⁷