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In what was described by a judge as “rare and inspiring”, the head of a Mosque in Connecticut requested the court not to impose additional imprisonment on a man who shot at the Baitul Aman Mosque in Meriden in November out of anger and hatred, but later apologized to the congregation that engaged him in dialogue.
Nonetheless, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford sentenced Ted Hakey, Jr., 48, of Meriden June 17 to six months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firing shots into the Baitul Aman Mosque.
Judge Shea acknowledged the Muslim congregation’s response was “rare and inspiring,” but he determined that there is need for general deterrence in sentencing Hakey to a term of imprisonment.
“This is an appropriate sentence that balances the need for justice with the defendant’s genuine expressions of remorse and the victims’ plea for a sentence that didn’t include jail time,” a Justice Department press release quoted Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, as saying.
Since the time of the shooting, the congregation of the Baitul Aman Mosque has turned this “senseless and hateful crime” into something positive, using their story as a way of raising awareness about the peaceful message of Islam.
“Rather than just letting themselves be victims, they took a stand, reached out to the defendant, and offered him forgiveness and reconciliation. Their generosity of spirit serves as a role model for all of us,” Daly said. He also thanked efforts by the law enforcement that not only solved a hate crime, but also “helped both heal and empower the victims in this case and the broader Muslim community in Connecticut.”
According to court documents and statements, after Hakey had learned about the November 13, 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, he became extremely angry and hostile towards Muslims and Mosques. He opened fire from a rifle on the Baitul Aman Mosque.
He was arrested December 17 and he pleaded guilty February 11 to one count of intentionally damaging religious property through use of a dangerous weapon.
Last week during sentencing Mohammed Qureshi, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and head of the Mosque, told the judge that the congregation reached out to Hakey, who had said that he hates Islam, and engaged in discussions with him which led to an apology from the defendant. Qureshi asked for judge’s forgiveness.
“This case highlights how law enforcement, the judicial system and our community working together can affect positive social change,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia M Ferrick. “This incident should serve as an educational tool and illustrate to everyone that ignorance and hate should never prevail.”
The post Mosque Pleads For Forgiveness For Attacker Charged With Hate Crime appeared first on News India Times.
