Assalamu'alaykum John,

Halfway into 2020, and we’ve sheltered in our homes to mitigate a health pandemic, only to emerge in the streets to protest a racial one. The rest of the year is waiting to unfold...

God, in all His Mercy and Wisdom, grants us ten days every year that are filled with blessings greater than any other days, and this year, they come at a pivotal moment as we take stock of our shortcomings as individuals and as a nation, and work towards a better version of ourselves and an America that promised more.

In this issue of MLFA Monthly, we announce an emergency filing to release a political prisoner who contracted COVID-19, celebrate the removal of a client off of the No Fly List, share a case update and client testimonial, and invite you to join us as we renew hope in justice and uphold an America for all during the best ten days of the year.

In faith and for justice,

CLCMA Client Removed from the
No Fly List

Last month, we shared the story of one couple who found themselves on the No Fly List after the husband faced travel difficulties for years, and seemingly, like a contagion, passed on to his wife, who began experiencing issues traveling shortly after marriage.

A few days ago, CLMCA client Umaima Shaikh finally received some good news: "You have been removed from the No Fly List."

After multiple administrative appeals and two separate federal court lawsuits, she is now, more than a year and a half later, still not sure why she was ever on the No Fly list. But now she knows she’s off it.

Akili Ujima, a CLCMA client and a Special Learning Needs Coordinator for the Bureau of Prisons, spoke these words to an Administrative Judge last week in his complaint seeking religious accommodations to allow him time to attend Friday prayers. Since 2013, he has been requesting the right to attend Friday prayers, at the mosque across the street from where he works, during his lunch hour. He asked for the same thing last week in his testimony.

CLCMA attorneys Christina A. Jump and Leila E. Mustafa represented Mr. Ujima in the administrative trial before the EEOC, which took place virtually due to ongoing restrictions. We are hopeful for Mr. Ujima that the ruling will be in his favor, and look forward to presenting our report to the judge on the impact this discrimination has had on him over the past seven years.