Eesa Barot's Letter to the Ummah

'Eesa (Dhiren) Barot; edited by Umm 'Uthmaan

Moreover, in the false claim, again by the POA, that Muslim inmates have been attempting to radicalise others it is important to note that other than empty accusation, sourced merely from the 'prison grapevine', authorities have failed to provide any concrete evidence to support these baseless claims in spite of numerous cell searches, monitoring etc.

Where is the Support?

Although I am the author of this letter I emphasise that I, along with many inmates, at one point or another have repeatedly been the recipients of promotional leaflets/postcards encouraging support for other brothers, whose prison conditions are far less restrictive than ours. Frankly, it can be humiliating and incensing to have our noses rubbed in it — the lack of the British Ummah's (community's) empathy towards the rest of us — their sons too. 'Do not forget they too have given their today for your tomorrow.' Is there any to lend ear?

Do these Muslim organisations believe that we may be enjoying the backing of international power bases and thus we do not require domestic care and assistance? This is wrong, as wrong as can be, for we are not machines after all and require support as much as the next man.

The guys in the special HSU (High Secure Unit) at Belmarsh, where I too languished for over two years, also need a great deal of support since the environment there is near to being a segregation block and claustrophobic like no other. I hope the lackadaisical attitude of the British segment of the Ummah will end. For further info/updates please kindly contact the respective legal reps.

Miss A [Arani] (may Allah bless her and preserve her) has attempted to bring about awareness as regards my stay at HMP Service, which is undoubtedly red in tooth and claw, due to lack of voice and indifference from the silent majority. And I would not have it any other way. Blessed be the sisterhood; her, yourself and Yvonne [Ridley] and many others whom I know will never be muzzled from speaking out against injustice. Where are all the brothers in all of this, I wonder? Are they all inconceivably suddenly on something '007' that they cannot speak out? Or have they forgotten that I spent 32 years of the life Allah gave me on the outside, well acquainted from afar with their 'biryani and coca-cola' existence as coined sardonically by Abdullah Azzam (RH). May Allah in His Magnanimity grant us all the Hidayyah (guidance) and the Ikhlaas (sincerity). Ameen.

wassalam

Brother in Islam,

'Eesa Barot