A Croydon Haji at Guantanamo Bay's Court

On 4 March 2006, following a Freedom of Information Act request from the Associated Press, 5000 pages of information were released containing the names and home countries of many detainees in Guantanamo Bay. 

Amongst this documentation is a transcript of the hearing at which Feroz Abbasi was present. Mr. Abbasi's session, begins in this way:

Feroz Abbasi asked: 

"May I have my legal representative present, please?"

The tribunal president, a USAF colonel (whose name has been blacked out in the document) replied: 

"No you may not. This is not a legal proceeding. It is a military tribunal."

Feroz Abbasi continued: 

"On the basis that the tribunal can actually hold me here in incarceration or release me, I would consider this a criminal proceeding."

Feroz Abbasi (reading): 

"AKA Malcolm X: 'I am not anti-American and I did not come here to condemn America. I want to make that very clear. I came here to tell the truth and if the truth condemns America, then she stands condemned...'(inaudible) 

The sun rising is splendour. A notice. It is my duty as a Muslim to warn all who are involved in this matter that they are personally responsible for their actions at all times before Allah. 

Allah says in this uncreated word that is the Koran. Is the man who believes no better than the man who is rebellious and wicked? Not equal are they. For those who believe and do righteous deeds are gardeners as hospitable homes for their good deeds. 

As to those who are rebellious or wicked their abode will be the fire. 

Every time they wish to get away from there they will be forced there into and it will be said to them, Take ye the penalty of the fire which ye will want to reject as false. 

And indeed we will make them taste of the penalty of this life prior to the supreme penalty in order that they may repent and return. 

And who does more wrong than one to whom are recited the signs of his lord and who turns away there from. 

Vary from those who transgress we will exact due retribution." 

Chapter 32 Al Sajdah, 

verses 18-22.

Abbasi continues quoting from the Koran.

The president says he: 

"appreciates your concern for our souls".

Following Abbasi's concerns about his classification from the point of Islamic law, the tribunal president states: 

"This is not Islamic law. It has no authority here."

Abbasi then repeatedly brings up his status under international law. The tribunal president says:

"International law does not apply. 

Geneva Conventions do not apply. 

You have been designated an enemy combatant. 

This Tribunal will fairly listen to your explanation of your actions."

After repeated references to international law by Abbasi, the tribunal president states:

"I don't care about international law.
I don't want to hear the word international law again."

Abbasi also asked to be treated as a prisoner of war and declared he would be humbled to be regarded as a combatant, stating:

"Do not be fooled into thinking I am in any way perturbed by you classifying me as a (nonsensical) 'enemy combatant'.

In fact quite to the contrary I am humbled that Allah would honour me so."

Abbasi admitted attending an Al Qaeda training camp visited by Osama Bin Laden:

"Yes, I was present at the very speech when with his own mouth and tongue he told Basic Training that he had received a fax from the Americans!"