State Police Revoke Muslim Chaplain's Certification

By aaroncynic in News on Jun 24, 2010 8:20PM

Sheikh Kifah Mustapha, an imam and associate director of the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, would have been the first Muslim Chaplain in the Illinois State Police. In December, the Illinois State Police certified Mustapha, making him the only Muslim chaplain in the agency. Due to a report from the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) however, Mustapha’s position has now been revoked.

According to public court documents the IPT published, Mustapha was associated with the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, an Islamic charity shut down by the federal government for funneling money to Hamas in 2001. Mustapha was also listed as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Palestine Committee, but has never been charged with any crime. At a press conference, the Council on Islamic Relations (CAIR) blasted the decision. CAIR Chicago executive director Ahmed Rehab said “Imam Kifah Mustafa is beyond reproach. His track record is not only clear it is transparent and omnipresent.” CAIR-Chicago plans to file a discrimination suit with the EEOC.

While State Police officials have kept quiet over the specifics of Mustapha’s dismissal, citing only a closer review of his background, CAIR believes the IPT influenced the decision. CAIR civil rights director Christiana Abraham said the Illinois State Police “succumbed to the defamatory rantings of bigoted individuals.” The IPT however, maintains that their reports are accurate and the State Police made their own decision.