Assalamu'alaykum John,

This month, Muslims the world over began observing the holy month of Ramadan. Here in the U.S., many communities entered it at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in their cities. Social distancing rules and stay at home orders are still largely in effect, necessitating the continued closure of mosques around the nation.

Not only are we avoiding food and drink from sunrise to sunset, we must now also avoid nightly congregational prayers and large community gatherings as well. We empathize with those who regularly face food insecurity through our daily fasts, but this year, we are also stepping into the shoes of those who were forced into social isolation long before the current crisis, due to oppression and injustice. Whether they were separated from family by walls and bans, unable to travel due to No Fly List designations, or unjustly incarcerated behind bars, their struggles are compounded by the contagion of xenophobia. This pandemic has undoubtedly affected us all, but it has made the situation far worse for those who are vulnerable to begin with.

While Ramadan is generally considered a communal time, it is also one of introspection. This year, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on the tests we face, from an individual, community, and global perspective. What kind of people, nation, and world do we want to be when the crisis passes? What kind of people will we be during it?

"Oh you who believe! Observing (the fast) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous." (Quran 2:183)

May we learn the lessons, reap the blessings, earn mercy, forgiveness, and salvation, and be among the righteous this Ramadan.

In this issue of MLFA Monthly, we share ways you can stay engaged with us online, provide legal resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and celebrate the moments that make justice possible.

Please keep MLFA in your prayers and in your charitable giving this month, so that the work of justice persists as the pandemic continues, and endures far beyond.

In faith and for justice,

Judge Rules for CLCMA’s Client in No Fly Challenge, Calling Government’s "Watchlisting Overview" Document Insufficient to Warrant Dismissal

Denying the government’s Motion to Dismiss in a case challenging a No Fly list designation, a federal court in Washington, D.C. ruled that the "Watchlisting Overview" document provided by the government is insufficient to support dismissing the Plaintiff’s claims.

CLCMA attorneys brought suit on behalf of a client who has been placed on the No Fly list, yet has received no meaningful reason why or opportunity to challenge that placement. CLCMA’s client has been trying for two years now, with the guidance of CLCMA’s Civil litigation attorneys, to find out why he is not able to fly and then to have an opportunity to challenge any reasons. Yet even after filing a lawsuit to compel the government to provide this information, CLCMA and its client don’t know the reasons.

"[T]he government tends to use the same arguments to defend its actions in most if not all of our cases challenging the No Fly and Watchlists," observed Christina Jump, CLCMA’s Civil Litigation Department Head, who is litigating the case along with Civil Staff Attorney Leila Mustafa. "Our clients and others like them deserve to receive true due process, and exactly what the Constitution guarantees – meaningful due process and a right to be heard. Hopefully, the government will now shed more light on this process so that those who are wrongly designated can prove their innocence. We look forward to proceeding with litigation in this case and receiving exactly the answer the Judge wants as well."