Reed Stanley Berry, 26, of St. Joseph, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert Holmes Bell in Grand Rapids to seven years, eight months in prison for assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon – his car.
Berry has not been indicted on any terror-related charges.

The FBI raided his home after he allegedly used the Internet to contact one or more foreign terrorist organisations, court records showed. His attorney, noting that Berry has not been charged with terror crimes, said that Berry’s correspondence, which the government believed was a threat to national security, was speech protected under the First Amendment.

The seeming disparity between the First Amendment rights of Muslims and other Americans is one that has been recently questioned, especially in light of two recent cases; the Hutaree Militia, self-described ’Christian Warriors’ acquitted on the basis of First Amendment rights, and that of Tariq Mehanna, sentenced to seventeen and a half years for translation of classical Arabic texts and his desenting opinion over US foreign policy.

Attorney Elias Muawad stated that Berry’s actions did ‘not rise to any level of a material support for terrorism’ while Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagen Frank remained ambiguous concerning future charges, saying that whether Berry is charged with a terror crime ‘remains to be seen.’

His attorney said Berry was frustrated by his situation and had felt liked a “caged animal”. He met and married a Muslim woman from London online, and was eager to settle down with his wife and begin his new family life but was prohibited from leaving the US for Britain as he was on the No-Fly List.

Berry was under twenty-four-hour surveillance in the days leading to the tenth anniversary of the terror attacks. He was aware that he was under investigation when he tried to ram a parked car driven by FBI special agent Sam Moore.

‘He’s a terrorism suspect. Now, he’s at the point he’s coming at me with the vehicle, and I didn’t really know how far he was prepared to take it‘.  The frightened agent mentioned he considered shooting Berry as Berry’s vehicle sped backward toward him, but instead turned and hit the gas to avoid a collision.

Berry, described as highly intelligent, said he understood that his shooting by the FBI would have been justified. He apologised to all involved, especially to the traumatised Agent Moore, and said his actions that night were ‘rash, irresponsible and potentially dangerous. I feel nothing but regret. … I didn’t hate or harbor ill feelings.‘

His step-mother, Julie Berry, said in a letter to the court that Reed had turned to Islam, the religious community and family to get his life on track:

‘[He] is a kind and loving soul that has struggled, as many young adults do, to find his place in society. Along the way he has made poor decisions hurting himself, but has never been a threat to other individuals or society.

After 9/11 Reed became fascinated with religion, learning everything he could and trying to understand “why” there is so much hatred in this world. His passion for information led him to books and websites that spoke from an international perspective for injustice.’

Judge Robert Holmes Bell

The judge expressed concerns regarding Berry’s views, stating ’The problem is, his reality may not be everybody else’s reality. I’m troubled by his reality‘. He additionally recommended that Berry might require mental-health treatment, adding ‘That is not something to be ashamed about at all. Some people just have issues… the court is struck by the fact that this is an intelligent individual.‘

It is unknown when or to where Berry will be transferred now that he has been sentenced or as to whether he will serve his sentence in a normal Federal Penitentiary or be placed under ‘special’ housing usually reserved for Muslim inmates and highly dangerous offenders. It is also unclear at this time whether additional charges are pending regarding the government’s “terrorism” investigation.

Remember to keep him and his family in you du’a.

Any statement made by me which proclaims my innocence is no longer a reflection of my acceptance of guilt. Thank you for all the support I have received.

Sincerely,
Reed Berry

2-7-2012

All praise is due to Allah who honored us with Islam and put the love of brotherhood for His sake in our hearts and I bear witness that Muhummad the imam of the Mujahideen, the one whose provision was by the tip of his spear is the Messenger of Allah. To proceed!

Alhumdulillah, my brother, I just wrote this short note before I started this response to your two letters just yesterday. I had a feeling that I should wait just in case I received any letters from you or anyone else, before I send it off.

Something strange happened with me involving one of my requests. I had asked about that article by Ms. Hirshii Ali and about any books written about Aafia Siddiqui, and just brief moments later I received a newspaper from my grandmother that had a book review in regards to a newly published book about the lives of Aafia and Ayaan, a sort of juxtapose showing the contrast between their two very different lives. It’s called “Wanted Women” by Deborah Scroggins and it’s over 500 pgs. long. I’m not sure if it’s soft cover edition has been printed yet, because that is the only kind I can receive. You asked about books in your letters, and this is a book I am interested in, as I would like to know more about sister Aafia’s life. Subhan Allah, I sort of found it strange how I asked questions about these two women, and then I received a direct answer to one of my questions.

I can’t describe the feeling I get when I receive your letters. I don’t ever feel like I am locked up for the brief moments when I read them… Subhan Allah, it is an amazing feeling. From the news you provide to me, to the beautiful reminders, ayat and ahadith, mixed emotions of relief and happiness accompanies the sensation of experiencing a proverbial breath of fresh air that is the letters I receive from you my dear brother. May bless you and honor you, Ameen. All the beautiful dua you make for me nearly brings tears to my eyes. May Allah give you all the things you ask for me! Ameen!

My Beloved brother, there is no need to ask forgiveness for any forgetfulness, as the news that you relay to me is amazing in its breadth and detail. Subhan Allah, the way you helped to soothe my heart with giving me so many updates is beyond description, and you are the only source I have for so much beautiful updates, however sad and difficult some of the news might be. May Allah reward you. 

I was aware about Tariq, may Allah pour sakeenah upon him and free him, Ameen. One of the many disappointing factors of this case is that he was found guilty of material support, even after the judge gave straight forward instructions outlining to the jury that in order for Tariq to be guilty of Material Support, he would have to have directly worked on Al-Qaida’s behalf or in conjunction with them, and the government was never even able to prove that among other things, yet the jury still found him guilty.

There is no Power or Might except with Allah. Insha’Allah, at least maybe that conviction on that count will be overturned on appeal as the government failed to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.

Tariq is blessed to a have such support from his family and beyond and to have the financial and material resources to have a competent legal team, Masha’Allah, TabarakAllah, May Allah bless all the Muslims who aid the prisoners, ameen Ya Rabb. I’m interested in reading anything new written by Tariq. I remember submitting a question to him when they did the interviews with him, and he answered it. I wonder if him and I will meet somewhere down the line in prison…

Reading about the time that Ziyad, Omar and Hysen received in their sentences makes me feel sick, and when I read it, I think what it must really feel like the moments they hear their sentence, what kind of brief feeling must rush through their mind and body. Are we really able to fathom ’31 years’, ’45 years’? It is pure insanity when we can see the 15 year sentence of Omar as a good thing compared to the other sentences. I can’t imagine the sense of helplessness that might overwhelm them at night or throughout the day.

Even as Muslims we still have our human moments of weakness when it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I find myself calculating the amount of time I am expecting to receive into the whole scheme of my life… I am expecting somewhere around 10 years, because of my past criminal history and because of the supposed crime; and I begin to visualize this time taken out of my life with my beautiful family. I expect to miss the most formative years … in their lives and my wife is left … alone. I start to see how old I will be when I am released, how old my wife will be. I don’t even know how all of this will end.

Then as I contemplate these things and enormous amount of guilt pours over me, and I ask myself “Do I even have the right to feel this way?”, to even have these feelings of sadness about my own situation when brothers have 20, 30, 40, 50 year sentences, ‘Life’ sentences? When our sister Aafia, after being tortured and driven to insanity, is sentenced to 86 years with the criminal they call the judge ends his remarks with “Have a nice life Mrs. Siddiqui”? Do I even have a right to mourn when there is Bagram and Guantanamo; when there is detention with no criminal charges for years upon years afflicting so many in places like Belmarsh, in the heart of these so called civilizations that flaunt their supposed human rights and adherence to the rule of law?

Where is my right to feel pain when terror and death sweeps over the Ummah, through the apparatus of the brutal regimes, Crusading armies and mindless, murderous flying robots that bomb weddings, funerals and the shephards with his flock? Do I have a right? Do I have a right to even complain as I have water to drink and food to eat when my brother and sister in the Horn of Africa teeter on the edge of famine, threatened by the prospect of drought coupled with the monsters of AMISOM, the missiles of drones and the bullets of western special forces swarming over the countryside in their locust like helicopters, sowing death and unending fear. Where is my right? I feel ashamed of myself…

I am saddened to read about the Boyds, may Allah forgive them. The US government places so much pressure upon people, it is actually the norm that people cooperate more often than not, and only the very strong are able to withstand the pressure and remain true. The downside is that non-cooperation will garner harsher punishment and more punitive actions, May Allah have mercy on us, Ameen. At the moment, the government is seeking cooperation and information from me about the Muslims, but I’ve chosen not to help them no matter the consequences against me. Please make dua that I remain true to Allah and Islam, insha’Allah.

A light and sprak of fire builds in my chest when you narrate to me the word’s of Omar’s father and Laila. Masha’Allah, they are strong and not afraid of the tyrants. I do too feel that maybe some of the wisdom why these fitan are falling upon some of the Muslims is to help to wake up the masses of the Muslims to the reality of Dar al Harb and how they have sinister plans for the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, which were hatched all the way back in the early days of Islam in Makkah and Madinah. These hardcore disbelievers are jusrt carrying on the long-winded campaign of war against Islam instituted by their ancestors of disbelief, May Allah destroy the enemies, Ameen.

How much more do the Muslims need to witness and experience before we rush head long into embracing this Divine Religion in its totality? This Deen that calls for Muslims to defend themselves, land, property, and honor of themselves and their Prophet, yet we wander deaf, dumb and blind for the most part, searching for the solutions anywhere else but the Book and Guidance which rests on our living room mantels and bookshelves, who only comes out for wedding occasions and funerals! There is no Power or Might except with Allah.

How many of the Muslims aren’t even aware of our Ziyad Yaghis, our Tariq Mehannas, our Aafia Siddiquis, our Umar Abdur Rahmans? And how many amongst us have an inkling of knowledge about them, but our pens are absent from pressing the pages of the letters that we owe them, our wealth is restricted from alleviating their financial burdens, our time is occupied with Facebook, Paltalk, forums and leisure while brief moments could be taken to send them a card for ‘Eid, a book of knowledge or mushaf or even a short sincere dua.

I don’t believe that the source of our humiliation and subjugation comes from the external sources from without, but is rooted in our hearts, our own neglect of Islam, our abandonment of the Quran, and these outside forces and calamities are just a by product. And how can we even feign ignorance, when the Messenger of Allah told us so, ﷺ? When we engage in usury, occupy ourselves with just accumulating wealth and livelihood and abandon Jihad, that the only promise is humiliation until we return to the Religion of Allah.

And reading about your description of Laila and her transformation is heart-warming and beautiful to be made aware of. Maybe her son has to experience this trial to help bring his own mother closer to her Lord? Only Allah knows the purposes and reasons.

Through another channel I was made aware of the brother Emerson’s sentencing date and I have also been made aware that it has been changed again until sometime in May. I don’t have a good feeling about it and Allah knows why this is taking place. I ask Allah to make it beneficial for him and not a harm for any Muslim.

Its interesting to read about the BBC’s interview with Babar, may Allah free him. I would love to be able to read this interview with him, if it is ever released, insha’Allah. It is so hypocritical of them to restrict something like this. They are trying to keep in the dark the reality of their flagrant violation of their own supposed rule of law from the British police and the world at large by stifling a voice which will testify to this ugly and gruesome fact. May Allah expose them.

The day I received you blessed letters, I caught word on the news that the beautiful Shaykh Abu Qatadah, may Allah preserve him, will be released onto or in a form of home detention after six years of detention after winning his appeal against being deported to the hands of the despots in Jordan, alhamdulillah. I was so thankful to receive some more details about his situation. I have read some of his translated works and seen him speak.

It was amazing for me to read some much coveted news of the Shaykh Abu Muhummad al-Maqdisi, may Allah free him. Just the day before I got mail from you, I was thinking about him and his condition, and through you Allah alleivieated some of the burden inside my heart in regards to him. I love the shaykh very much, and wish that the works that have been translated into English would be published into book form, so people can benefit from them beyond the internet. It is good news to hear about the pardons of the others from the tyrants’ prisons and dungeons.

I had seen a short amount of text trailing across the bottom of a news agency’s program on television about the denial of appeals in the Fort Dix Case. Insha’Allah, they just encountered a technicality that can be overcome, along with the brothers involved with the Holy Land Foundation. When I was in prison the first time back in 2008, I remember reading a magazine article about the Fort Dix Case. The FBI is pathetic and is literally creating ‘terror’ plots and entrapping people in them, just like Sami Osmakac and Antonio Martinez, among many others.

I had seen news of both Sami when he was arrested and Antonio when he entered his plea of ‘guilty’. I still remember when Antonio was arrested, may Allah ease both of their affairs and pour sakeenah upon them, Ameen, Hopefully, you or someone else was able to send him his letter that was sent to me by mistake, insha’Allah.

I pray to Allah that the Shaykh Abu Hamza will successfully be able to block the attempt to have him extradited to the United States, and all the other brothers who are in a similar situation. It is wonderful to hear of the Muslims coming together to help him and his wife with their financial burdens, masha’Allah. May Allah reward all of them and give them Jannat al Firdaus al ‘Ala. Ameen Ya Rabb.

Reading what you wrote to me about brother Craig Baxam is both frightening and shocking to say the least. It is incredible how little they need to arrest someone and threaten them with 15 years in prison for merely being a Muslim and wanting to live in a place where Muslims are the majority of population. The only sense of relief is that he only faces one charge and not multiple charges in which the federal government runs consecutively in peoples sentences, not concurrent. I’m wondering if he was in contact with informants and undercover agents. This whole situation is fulfilling and to be made aware of it was a saddening moment for me, along with the other calamities you have conveyed to me in your updates.

Insha’Allah, the rumors surfacing about the esteemed Shaykh and strategist Abu Mus’ab as-Suri prove to be true. Getting this piece of information from your message was like a bright, shining star in the midst of the darkness that consists of some of the other news you conveyed to me. Insha’Allah the Shaykh will one again be a benefit for the Muslims and a guide post along the Way.

Once again I find it amazing how my feelings of worry and anxiety about a brother and wondering about his condition was satisfied by your letter and the news about Abu Tauba. Just days before I was thinking about him and also the very day I received your letters. I was once a student, if half-heartedly through the internet, of this beautiful brother and benefited very much through his talks and classes on various subjects. It was hard for me to bear the news of his arrest and I still remember the day and where I first heard the news. It will be interesting to see what foolish stories they might concoct against him in regards to ‘terrorism’. Hopefully, insha’Allah, the FISA warrant issued against him will amount to nothing and he will just have to do some time for the handgun. May Allah make it easy for him, the children and his wives, Ameen. I’m wondering if it is accurate to say if any terrorism charge is pending or not. As I write this, my family and I are experiencing the same agonizing feeling of torturous limbo, as I face the possibility of being charged with material support or lying to them in the process of a ‘terrorism’ investigation. Make dua, insha’Allah.

It was beautiful to read the words of the brother Antonio, and that even amongst the difficult time he faces, he has benefited and come closer to Allah and by the permission of Allāh, helped to bring someone to the Light of Islam. May Allah bless him and make these coming days and years easy for him, Ameen Ya Rabbil ‘Alamin.

To hear something about our sister Roshanara, may Allah free her, was so special for me I can’t put into words. I was thinking about her from time to time and was feeling guilty that I never mentioned her name in my previous letters. The way she has dealt with everything is amazing, Masha’Allah. She is so strong, a knightess of our modern age. May Allah pour sakeena upon her, protect her, and hasten her release, giving her Jannat al Firdaws al ‘Ala… Ameen Ya Rabbil ‘Alamin.

My Brother, you mention how your letter was getting long and I have to mention the fact that I don’t mind anything like this at all. It is a relief for me to read your letters. I will continue my response to your 2nd letter from here.

I want you to know that you don’t need to seek my forgiveness for taking some time to reply to me. I understand the dunya and the reality of those who are not in prison, and the difficulty of being able to balance time with so many things to do. I don’t ever think that you have forgotten me or anything like that. I appreciate the fact that you have ever written to me one time, much less on more than one occasion.

That hadith about time is very valuble and it might be hard to believe but even in prison the issue of the mismanagement of time can become a hindrance to one’s iman and deen if one is not careful and mindful.

It is a comfort to my heart when I read about how you and the others are making dua for me and my family. I also remember you in my dua and all the others who help and aid the prisoners. I also love reading your reminders and the lots of hadith and tafsir. It is always refreshing and a delight to be able to communicate with someone about Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and Islam in general. I also enjoy your letters and look forward to them expectantly. It was beneficial for me to read about the status of greeting in Islam and its merit.

I’m happy to hear that you overcame your sickness by the Mercy of Allah and I pray it was shifa for you, insha’Allah, and that you overcome the rest of your sickness, insha’Allah.

The way you helped me visualize the image of the Masjid was masterful and you conjured up inside the longing I have for the experience of just being inside a Masjid, much less being able to pray inside one. I miss it beyond measure, especially Jummah. Sometimes I would be in jammah during salah and I would have the thought enter into my mind, “How much longer do I have until this is snatched away from me?” as this was after they broke into my home and had me thrown into prison for the first time. So many people just don’t understand what they really have.

The way you illustrated for me the love you have of this correspondence was beautiful and nearly brought me to tears. Masha’Allah, you have a way of bringing things together to paint a vivid picture of the parable you sought to convey to me, as well as how it connected to the issue you wanted to discuss with me. I feel like you didn’t plan it like that but by the Will of Allah it transpired like that seamlessly and Allah knows best.

In the scheme of things, I can only agree with you 100% that for my iman and Hereafter, the answer will not change anything whether it is ‘this’ or ‘that’. I have already forgiven anyone who may harm me, whoever that might be, if any, To be honest, this thought has come into my mind: if anyone cooperates against me, at least I can become a means for them to be reunited with their families and out of prison sooner than later, even if that means being separated from mine.

Subhan’Allah, the story about the boys and haste was timely and much needed. I too have related the same hadith many times, to many people including my wife (reading the hadith makes me think about her…) and that is exactly what I did in the situation regarding the disbelievers saying other Muslims were giving them information about me. I not only rushed to judgement in regards to the Muslims but I also disregarded the ayah from Surah al-Hujurat, ayah six, which I was more than fully aware of and familiar with. I can only feel remorse, regret and sadness that I made such a lapse in judgement. Certainly this hastiness and fitna is from Shaytan and myself as no good can come from even broadcasting information whose source is Shaytan’s allies themselves. I appreciate reading the story about why this ayah was revealed, I’m not sure I have read it before. JazakAllah Khayran for that and the reminder.

Subhan’Allah, it was a special thing for me to read the words you received from brother Idris. I had been wondering about him and how he was doing. Being in prison in the United States is not a good environment even for the Muslims, as you can see even from Roshanara’s words, there are many people, unfortunately, who are amongst the ranks of the Muslims for ulterior motives, and Allah knows best, so its easy to fall back into the old habits and lifestyles that permeated the lives of many converts before Islam. I sometimes wonder if he thinks about me, as I have written him and then I just appeared to have fallen off the face of the earth so to speak, out nowhere. Ameen to your dua you made for both of us.

And may Allah reward you as well for all your reminders and may Allah bless you for conveying to me your appreciation of some of the advice I have tried to impart to the Muslims. I feel it is my duty and obligation to do so and say what I say, as the greatest of iman is to change a wrong with our hand, and if not, speak against it and if not then at least hate it in your heart, and anything beyond this [is] no faith at all. Only Allah knows the kind of response that maybe some of my words may evoke from the Muslims, whether it be holding more concern for the Ummah at large or the affair of a single prisoner. I ask Allah to place good in my words and reminders, and after my sentencing I plan on writing more exhortations in regards to helping the prisoners and about other issues, like for example the the rebuttal of Ayan Hirshi Ali, may Allah humiliate her, Ameen.

I haven’t received any books besides that which my Wife has sent me, may Allah reward her. I have a bit of money to last me about a month or so insha’Allah, I received from my family, and also, I have received money from a brother who I knew from the internet, May Allah reward him! I love him so much for the sake of Allah as I love the rest of you!

I’m interested in that book about Aafia Siddiqui in particular and any other books regarding current events involving the Muslims, their history and of course ‘Ilm, in general. Books and news about the Ummah is what I crave the most!

There is one favor I would like to ask and wonder if someone might be able to help me. When I leave the jail and am sent to prison, I won’t be able to take my property including my books I have here. I want to be able to send the books to my wife, but I’m not able to send books or anything internationally from the jail. I would like her to have the books or at least if someone is able to sell them and give her the money, I would like this to happen. I’m not sure who else could help me. Even if not to have them sent overseas but at least somehow sold online and have the money sent to her, this would be a blessing for us, as I would not [want them left with] none benefiting from them or at least the proceeds going to my wife. I’m not sure how this could work out but if someone is willing to help, please let me know, insha’Allah.

I am doing good, in both health and iman, alhumdulillah. I have memorized some Qur’an and increased my superogatory acts of ‘Ibadah, alhumdulillah. Make dua for me to increase in iman, sabr and protect me from Shaytan! Other than the letter you sent me and from Sanabil, I haven’t received anymore recently. In regards to support for my family from the Muslims, I am not aware except for my Wife’s immediate family and close friends support for her. I haven’t heard from any Muslim I knew personally from where I’m from, may Allah bless them and guide them, ameen.

May Allah reward you in abundance. Was Salaam Alalykum Wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh –

Your Brother – Reed

Reed Stanley Berry #61590
 NCSO
 Newaygo County Sheriff's Office
 PO Box 845
 White Cloud, MI 49349
 USA

2-6-2012

Assalaam ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh-

I hope this message reaches you brothers and sisters in a state of high iman and in good health.

I wanted to extend my thanks and gratitude to the sister Umm Bilal for sending the piece of writing from the brother Yonus. It was beautiful to be able to read something like that. This is the kinds of things I enjoy being able to read, and I have some requests if maybe some time one of you brothers or sisters might be able to fulfill them, insha’Allah.

If you could let the brother/sisters at ‘Sanabil’ know I appreciate so much their letters of support. I have been receiving them and I would write back but I can’t directly send my mail to Europe from the jail. Insha’Allah I will be able to find a way.

I was wondering if someone could send me an article written by NPR about the ‘Communications Management Unit’ that exist within the ‘Bureau of Prisons’. The article has the title of something along the lines of ‘Guantanamo North’ and it is a two part article. If someone could try to find this for me, I would appreciate it so much. Please don’t feel deficient if no-one is able to do this or anything else I request.

I am also trying to find information and updates about the brothers “Yonathan Melaku” and ‘Shkumbin Sherifi’. They say that the brother Sherifi has something to do with the infamous ‘Paintball’ case in Virginia? I’m curious to know about this.

Does anyone know if any kind of book has been written about the case involving Shaykh Ali Al-Tamimi + Abu Ahmed Ali, May Allah free them? I’m interested in reading a detailed account about the case and circumstances surrounding their cases and convitions. If anyone is aware of any book title that exist about it, I would greatly appreciate to know what they are, if any.

Recently I saw on television that Ayaan Hirshi Ali has written an article entitled “The War on Christians”, telling about the supposed persecution of Christians in Muslim majority nations. I wan to write a rebuttal against her in defense of Islam and to write about the War on Muslims but I want to read her whole article in context, but I don’t have it. Would anyone be able to find it and send it to me in the future? I am interested in reading it then writing a rebuttal against it. Insha’Allah someone can help me with this.

I hope I am not making too many unreasonable requests. I appreciate so much what has done for me already, and I make dua for all of the people who help the prisoners for the sake of Allah. May Allah give you all Jannat al-Firdaws al-Ala. Ameen Ya Rabbil Alamin.

Your Brother in Islam-
Reed

ريد

P.S. – I’m interested in knowing also about any books about Gitmo or any other “War on Terror” Cases in the US + elsewhere like anything written about Aafia Siddiqui, May Allah free her, etc. Jazak Allahu Khayran.

I’m doing OK in here and my sentencing is still April 10, 2012, alhumdulillah.

Reed Stanley Berry #61590
 NCSO
 Newaygo County Sheriff's Office
 PO Box 845
 White Cloud, MI 49349
 USA

Dec. 19^th 2011

Wa ‘alaykum salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh – -

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. We praise Him, we seek His Aid and Forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our own souls and deeds. Whomever Allah guides, no one can mislead, and whomever Allah leads astray no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, with no partner or associate, and that Muhummad is His slave and Messenger, may the peace and prayers of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions and all those who follow His Guidance until the Day of Standing when “the rule on that day will be Allah’s” (82:19) As to what follows:

Alhamdulillah, I have received your letter dated December 12^th in a state where my health is in a good condition and my iman is even better, and I can’t begin to describe the feeling inside of me when I got this letter from you and began to read it. Tears were on the verge of emitting from my weary eyes and the warmness generated throughout my body that results from the manifestations of real brotherhood for the sake of Allah is indescribable to say the least. It is as if you reached me inside this place, gripped my hand and embraced me due to the pure, unadulterated emotion of love for the sake of Allah.

Before I respond to your thoughtful and beautiful letter, I would like to convey to the Ummah at large a message that I feel inspired to voice due to receiving this letter. It is a message whose banner is the ayah of Allah: “Those who disbelieve – they are friends and protectors of one another. Unless you do so as well, there will be unrest on the earth and great corruption.”

Allah is not a liar and He fulfills His Words and Promises. As long as only a minority seek to band together to lend support, for example, to the Muslim prisoners wherever they may be, fitna will be spread across the expanse of the Ummah. And for the one with a conscious and concern, let your reflections dwell upon the state of the Ummah and let the realization resonate that the solution is adherence to the Quran and the instruction of Muhummad ﷺ.

Support for the Muslim captive is just one facet encompassed within the solution, and each facet plays its unique and important role; and do not be deceived into thinking that what little effort that may be enacted through the single individual is not worth it or wont make a difference. If our intention is to please Alalh and on action for His sake, then no matter what effort we put forth that might even seem insignificant, its reward will not be lost, by the permission of Allah, even if this whole dunya rejects it, demonizes it or slanders it.  

With that being said, I call on the people of Tawhid to come to the aid and support of the prisoners; Support us with your letters and messages which flood these brick-steel graves with light, which illuminates our hearts and souls, raises our iman and reinvigorates our hopes and dreams. Let your and I’s heart accept the commandment of our Prophet ﷺ: “Visit the sick, feed the hungry and free the captive.” May Allah forgive me if I have [misrepresented] any of His or His Prophets Words, and Allah knows best.

I call upon the people of Tawhid, the people who inherited the message from those of Badr and Tabuk, the people who claim to be spiritual descendants of the liberators of Bayt al Maqdis, the guardians of ‘Ayn Jalut and the Conquerors of al-Andalus, I call on You to support the prisoners with whatever you can spare on us of your means; whether that be your time, efforts or wealth. Even books of knowledge, which used to adorn my room like ornaments and decoration, are worth more than silver and gold; and their worth is beyond measure in the places of moral and spiritual desolation. Whatever you can do within your means, I call on you behalf of the captives and kidnapped, to help and support us, O people of Iman, people of Islam.

My final plea to the Ummah of Muhummad ﷺ in regards to the affairs of the prisoners, is that if you lend any hand to us, please think about the sisters in captivity before a brother like me. The gems and pearls of this Ummah are facing hardships and trials unimaginable in the clutches of the disbelieving people, all across the globe. The women of Islam need your aid and support, and their names and information are well known and easily attainable, and may Allah have mercy on those with no excuse.

If I could shake you and I awake from our slumber, I try to think of some scenario to help facilitate the visualization of our situation as an Ummah and how abandonment and fear have overwhelmed us. Just imagine the Day of Account, in regards to Aafia Siddiqui, and about the rights someone in her situation has over us as a whole; and then after you grasp that concept, realize the multitude who will come forward just like her, on the Day that even the sparrow will be given its due right and any injustice against it will be rectified! So what of the believing prisoners, men and women? What of the oppressed and the subjugated? And there is no power or might except with Allah.

I thank and praise Allah that such beautiful prayers can be made for me like a brother such as yourself, and I ask Allah to give you all that you asked for me, right back to you, plus much more. Ameen Ya Rabbi.

If you seek my forgiveness, I feel meek in front of your request, as I believe you have no reason to ask for it. I feel no disappointment on your or anyone else’s part; only satisfaction and gratitude towards you, my beloved brother.

I am especially thankful for the beautiful reminders you have given me in form of ayat of Allah from His Bountiful Speech, the Quran, and the beautiful hadith you shared with me. That hadith carries a special significance with me, as it is one I have related to to someone I love very much and is very dear in my life. You helped to bring back a sweet memory for me, from an easier time. May Allah reward you in this life and the Next. Ameen ya Rabb. And may Allah reward you for your honest pledge of support and promise to help keep the ties of brotherhood strong between us.

In regards to your beautiful and comprehensive naseehah, may Allah reward you very much and I thank you for it. After I gave that information to you, I did remind myself about what Allah has said about information that is conveyed and spread about by a fasiq or person of disbelief. Some regret came over me and I ask Allah to forgive me if I wronged these individuals. And I do forgive you entirely and anyone else who has believed these people’s filth and lies spread against me in these matters of my kidnapping and detention, before I had a chance to proclaim my innocence of what they accuse me of.

As of December 12^th, 2011 I have entered a guilty plea to the charges against me after taking the advice of my legal counsel. I pray that this decision has khayr in it and that Allah hasten the release of all of prisoners, ameen.

Alhumdulillah, I thank you for providing the name of the noble brother in Texas and I patiently await any information you wish to provide to me about the prisoners, their cases and anything else you wish to provide to me. I am anxious to read the details about this brother, Tarek, Ziyad, the Boyds and the countless among the captives.

I feel shy when you ask me about provisions like money, as I hesitate to be one who asks for money outright, as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated that the hand that gives is better than the hand that receives, and this is a summary of his words. I will not feign that I am not in need, and anyone who feels the desire to send money, I am overwhelmingly grateful for any aid or support that some my way in the form of wealth.

When it comes to reading material, I am open to receiving any kind of book someone is willing to send; especially Islamic knowledge and history, history in general and also current events. It is a dreadful situation when the only source of news is “CNN” or “Fox News”! Any book sent must be soft cover and from any form of publisher. Basically, on cannot buy a book, receive it, then send it to me from a personal or home address. Sending from a publisher or company online to me directly is the only way to send books.

The books I do have here are a translation of the Quran, “The journey of the soul after death” and “Patience and Gratitude: by ibn Qayyim (rahimullah), the first volume of the Tafsir of ibn Kathir (rahimullah), “In the shade of the Quran”, the last 1^st, 2^nd + 3^rd volume by Sayyid Qutb (rahimullah) and a history book called “the travels of ibn Battutah”. I received these from my zawj, may Allah reward her, ameen.

I recently did receive monetary assistance from a righteous slave of Allah, may Allah reward that individual, ameen.

Alhamdulillah for everything, good and bad. I am not in a cell with any Muslim, but I have come into contact with two since I have been at this detention facility. The first I don’t know his name and the second was a young Somali brother named Mohamed Issa. It was his first time ever in trouble, but I was able to give him aid and comfort for a short period of time before Allah willed for us to be separated. I wish I could be with him to help him get through this difficult time, may Allah protect him, ameen. I don’t know his number of if he has made bond or not.

Masha’Allah, I am overjoyed to hear that brothers and sisters are interested in getting in touch with the Brother who I told you the story about, may Allah bless him and aid him, ameen. His birth name is “Idris Irvin” and he is incarcerated in Michigan state prison, and the last time I checked it was “Kinross Correctional Facility”. I forgot his Michigan Department of Corrections number but think it begins with a “6”. If you use the internet and search for “OTIS” or “Offender Tracking Information System,” you should be able to locate him by his name alone, insha’Allah. It will let you know if he is still incarcerated or otherwise.

Let me assure you that your letter was like a breath of fresh air, and that it was neither dry nor boring, and reading and responding to it helped me to escape this place for a brief moment in time; I felt like I really wasn’t here sometimes. If only you could know in totality what a simple letter can do for us in this situation! May Allah reward you in this life and the Next, Ameen Ya Rabbil ‘Alamin.

I end this letter by saying “Ameen” to all of your beautiful prayers, and I again thank you and all the others for their supportive efforts to myself and any prisoner wherever they may be. I feel relief that someone out there besides my zawj and close family is giving me the benefit of the doubt and believes what I say about all of this. Insha’Allah a Time will come when all will be judged and vindicated, and the Truth will be laid bare for all to witness. I ask Allah to give us our book in the right hand, ameen ya Rabbil ‘alamin Al Alim Al Aziz.

The Muslims in particular need to recognize that the extent of their lies and falsehood reached for beyond their concocted story against me, and their plots and devious machinations know no bounds and have no limits. They literally have no evidence against me for this supposed crime, just some words typed on pieces of paper, and some utterances from their hateful tongues. They have used lies to invade whole nations, so what of lying to imprison a single, poor slave of Allah? May Allah protect us!

May Allah give you the good of this life and the Next, accept your good deeds, acts of ibadah and repentances, Ameen. May Allah keep you away from the Hellfire, and the words and deeds that put one there, ameen. May Allah give you, your family and all the Muslimin Jannat al Firdaus al ‘Ala. Ameen Ya Rabbil Alamin. The best of our call is AlhumdulillahRabbil’Alamin. Wa salaam ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh –

Your brother fillah,

Reed

P.S – I don’t have any specific correspondence restrictions against me or placed on me. I can receive money, books or letters, but nothing besides that, that I am aware of. JazakAllah. Letters and books can be sent to the address you have and money can be sent only online via “EZMONEYLOAD.COM” or by calling “1-888-497-2387”.

My wife has informed me that anyone outside the US cannot use the website to send money, as she has tried and it won’t work for her.

Reed Stanley Berry #61590
NCSO
Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office
PO Box 845
White Cloud, MI 49349
USA

Reed Berry faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 after entering the plea in U.S. District Court. Sentencing is scheduled for April 10th or 12th.

.

The incident took place on Woodland Drive in Royalton Township near Reed’s home, more than six months after the FBI began harassing Reed under the guise of investigating alleged contact with foreign terrorist organizations.

As part of a FBI terrorism fishing expedition, Berry’s house was searched pursuant to a warrant March 9. The investigation fueled suspicion that Berry was allegedly using the Internet to contact and support one or more foreign terrorist organizations, according to the complaint.

A “significant volume of digital material” was seized during the search and analyzed by the FBI. A second warrant for Berry’s Yahoo email account was obtained 11 May. Due to the lack of fruitful evidence in the material and data seized, the FBI expanded and continued its investigation of Berry and his friends. The investigation remained active and surveillance efforts stepped up with the approach of 11 September.

In anticipation of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, “the FBI decided to maintain around-the-clock knowledge of Berry’s whereabouts that weekend,” the complaint said. The FBI operations plan for surveillance of Berry required that agents know his whereabouts at all times but to avoid direct contact.

FBI Special Agent Samuel Moore and Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Larry Dyksterhouse were surveilling Berry the night of 9 September and had been told that their “target” was aware he was under surveillance, the complaint said. Berry admitted that he knew he was under surveillance by law enforcement; and, according to the FBI complaint Berry, allegedly backed his car at high speed toward a vehicle that was following him around 11 p.m.

Agent Moore claimed Berry eventually put his car in reverse and began speeding toward Moore’s stopped vehicle. The agent said he “immediately accelerated forward and to the hard left, avoiding a direct collision” with Berry. In the criminal complaint, Agent Moore said that after the near collision, Moore drove off toward his residence. In the document, Moore said he believes that Berry’s actions created a “violent and dangerous situation” that could have led to a collision and injury to the agent. The complaint against Berry was sworn out on 23 September.

“In addition to the present offense, defendant is well aware the FBI is using considerable resources to investigate whether defendant has been participating in terrorist-related activities,”  U.S. Magistrate Hugh Brenneman wrote in his order that Berry stay behind bars until trial.

Brenneman also cited the fact that Berry has a wife in London and “has told the FBI he wants to leave this country and never return.” And, the judge said, Berry’s state criminal record shows “a repeated disregard of the judicial system” with bond and parole revocations.

Berry’s guilty plea to the assault charge does not mean he will not be prosecuted for additional offenses, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Western District of Michigan. In a plea agreement filed with the court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagen Frank said the larger investigation that was under way at the time of the assault has continued.

The U.S. attorney’s office “has made it clear” to Berry that it intends to seek approval from higher authority to bring charges based on the investigation, the agreement said.

Berry’s attorney, Elias Muawad of Bloomfield Hills, said his client pleaded guilty as charged to the federal indictment because he wanted to “get it done and over with,” the implication being that the testimony of federal agents versus that of a politically active Muslim with prior criminal charges would be an impossible legal battle.

Judge Robert Holmes Bell conducted a detention hearing and ordered Berry held in the Newago County jail pending sentencing. Muawad said the handling of his client has been excessively harsh. He said there has been no evidence released so far that links Berry to plans for any terrorist actions, weapons or methods.

“Flight was a minor issue,” Muawad said. “They took away his passport. Where’s he going to go?” Under the limited plea agreement, Berry could get some benefit at sentencing for acceptance of responsibility for his actions.

Although the offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years, the judge will consider non-mandatory guidelines for a sentence based on Berry’s background and other factors.

In an interview in October, Muawad said Berry is a Muslim and has looked a jihadist websites where people share political views. But Berry is no terrorist and is not associated with terrorist organizations, Muawad said. Berry’s activities were within his First Amendment rights, Muawad said, and the websites, while not accepted by everyone, are not illegal.

Nov. 16 2011

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the Worlds and prayers and peace be upon the one who was sent in order that Allah be singled out for worship Alone with no partner before the Last Hour, Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who adhere to his Guidance until the Day of Judgment. As to what follows:

I extend to all my Muslim brothers and sisters the greetings which await the Successful ones as Allah says, which could be translated to mean: “Allah rewards the Righteous, those whose lives the angels take in a state of purity saying,

“Peace be upon you;

سلام عليكم

You enter the Garden, because of which you did (in this world).”  Qur’an 16:31-32

I pray sincerely that all the Believers whose eyes behold this message, that Allah forgives your sins, accepts your good deeds, acts of worship and repentances and that He distances you and your families from the Fire whose “fuel is men and stones” , entering you into the Highest of Paradise “…in a Home that will last: no toil nor sense of weariness shall us therein.”

I also pray that any person who has not accepted Islam that reads this message, Allah places the light of faith inside your heart, guiding you toe accept “the same religion He has established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah –that which we have sent by inspiration to you [O Muhammed] – and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus…”, coming into the realization that Allah has “not created jinn and men, except that they should worship Me [God, Alone]” “and join not any partners with Him”. This is “the Religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly?”

Allah is a Witness that I have conveyed the Message and He is a surety over what I say. I must begin by asking Allah to reward those concerned enough to read these words and those whose hearts strain in pain and affliction at the sight of any Believer subjugated with trials and tribulations, who seek a means with Allah’s Help to somehow ease the affairs of the afflicted, understanding that “The Believers are but a single brotherhood” and when a part of the “body” is afflicted or hurt, the whole constitution is overwhelmed with “fever”.

Understand that we claim belief in the Prophet صلى الله علهي و سلم who does not “say anything out of his own desire” who proclaimed “…free the prisoner”. The helpers and supporters of prisoners should know that you help to free our souls, our spirits as if they have wings with your letters, cards and financial support. I ask Allah to give you the good of this life and the Hereafter. I feel you come closest to fulfilling the obligation that is incumbent upon us. And Allah knows best.

By the time this letter reaches you, I’m sure that my situation is known to a degree by those who receive these words. To put it more accurately, a situation is being presented as a reality through certain conduits like the Department of Justice and various media outlets. I would like to take the time to clarify some things as I have been presented an opportunity to convey my story to whoever is willing to listen and comprehend; and hopefully it will reach the multitude.  

I embraced Islam about four years ago and by the Grace of Allah, I have been enabled to practice this beautiful Religion. Before I embraced Islam, I had been previously incarcerated. I was later released on parole, and striving to implement Islam in my life the best I could, Allah had enabled me to stay out of legal trouble and nearly complete over two years of parole which dictated that a parolee adhere to a curfew, pass drug and alcohol tests, pay fines, never own a cell phone, have no contact with convicted felons and maintain employment. Only two out of every ten parolees succeed in completing parole, while the remaining eight end up being sent back to prison to violating parole.

Islam enabled me to not only navigate through the pitfalls of parole, but also to change my whole life, how I lived it and my mindset wal-hamdulillah.

Nearing the end of my parole, on a routine mandatory visit to my assigned parole officer during the month of March 2011, I was escorted to a backroom where two FBI agents were waiting to question me. They questioned me about various subjects including certain activities on the internet, and if I knew certain individuals like Colleen LaRose, Zachary Chesser and Emerson Begolly. They informed me that they had a search warrant for the residence I resided at but I was not under arrest or being charged with a crime. However, my parole officer violated my parole and had me detained in the local jail. Later, my parole officer confessed to me that she violated my parole on behalf of the FBI.

At my place of residence, at least ten FBI agents invaded my home. They stole two laptops and one defunct desktop computer tower. They also took personal letters, receipts, photos, external hard drives and study notes. They took a bag I kept in my vehicle full of Islamic literature and English translations of the Qur’an, as well as a prayer rug and sheets used for salat.

They felt the need to test the bag for explosive and chemical residue used to make bombs. Bags of unopened concrete mix were cut open in the frantic search for anything incriminating, thinking explosive material was concealed in the bags. Not one single weapon or bullet was found within the confines of home, much less a bomb. All this information was related to me by a family member who was present at the time of the home invasion.

Inside the jail, I was isolated from a phone and the rest of the general jail population for three days. The second day I was placed in administrative segregation, what people call the “hole”, a place where people are placed for breaking the jail rules or being disorderly, ect. My parole officer would come and serve me paperwork in regards to my “violation”. It was related to “association”, that is being in contact with a felon. The person they said I “associated” with, I’ve never known in person and wasn’t a felon. Later, the parole agent changed the statement to make it appear volatile and more menacing. It stated I violated by talking about “terrorist activities” online with someone. The FBI had pulled the statements from Yahoo Messenger chat conversations, allegedly. The alleged conversation had nothing to do with myself participating in any violent activity.

I was sent back to prison after being held in the local jail for a couple of weeks. This was the standard procedure, as I had to go in front of the parole board to be heard on my parole violations. The parole office had also charged that I possessed a weapon at my work place. They never caught me with a weapon, found a weapon, had a police report, a date or time. The violation stated that somewhere in between a period of six months, I possessed a firearm.

Eventually they dropped the association violation because it really wasn’t association by their own definition; they had just used that as an excuse to lock me up. I plead no contest to the weapon, heeding the advice of my lawyer. I was sentenced to remain in prison until I reached the maximum of my original sentence I was incarnated for in 2007. Having spent eighteen months in prison and about two years on parole, I only had four months remaining until the max date was reached. To sum up what transpired, I had to sit in prison for four months.

While in prison, I gave dawah wal-hamdulillah, someone embraced Islam after I talked to the individual about Tawhid and letting him read my Qur’an. I taught him how to make salah and to recite al-Fatihah properly. His enthusiasm was beautiful, and I could only dream of what could be achieved under the banner of Islam if the whole Ummah possessed his zeal. I ask Allah to steady his heart upon His Religion. “Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him)” Qur’an 42:13

After spending four months in two different prisons, I was released. It was disheartening to witness some of the conditions that the Muslim community faced in the state penitentiary. The prison chaplain would restrict the amount of money allocated to the prisoners to purchase Qur’ans, Ahadith and other books, along with prayer rugs, while the various Christian dominations faced no problems or resistance whatsoever.

This chaplain was even trying to have Ramadhan celebrated before the month of Ramadhan even began. Things of this nature are just the tip of the iceberg in regards to discrimination and bias against Muslims in prison. There is little support from Muslim organizations or Muslims in general for brothers and sisters incarcerated in the state prison system across theUnited States, from my personal experience. And Allah Knows best.

Out of prison, I was able to obtain the affidavit the FBI submitted to their judges to authorize a search warrant of my home. It stated many different things, including trying to find evidence of links to the media wing of al-Qaidah in the Arabian Peninsula and al-Qaidah Central, as well as the Global Islamic Media Front. They were alleging I was helping to alter videos for them by way of subtitling. One of the videos they allege I subtitled, ABC News had taken segments of the same video, translated it, subtitled it and posted it on Youtube and it remains there to this day. It appears that if these allegations were true, the only reason it is a crime for me is because I am Muslim, as I have no ties to any of these groups and never worked at their direction on their behalf.

Another point in their affidavit which clearly reinforces their targeting of me because of my Islam, is that the allege I called other people who are Muslim, “brother” and according to this FBI agent experience, members of “terrorist” and “extremist” groups call each other “brother/s”. Allah says: “The Believers are but a single brotherhood…” Qur’an 49:10. Allah says: “And verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood…” Qur’an 23:52.

It is our common practice as Muslims to call each other “brother” and “sister”, in adherence to the title that Allah Himself has given us in the Qur’an. This is the junction that has been reached inAmerica; that as a Muslim observing a widespread and common practice as simple as referring to another Muslim as my “brother” is used as evidence to substantiate that I am a member of a “terrorist organization”. I would hope that any Muslim who lives in theUnited Statesponder upon this and reflect. Have I been free to practice Islam and not be persecuted for that? Think if those before me and those who are bound to come after me: who is next?

I remind you of the statement of Allah:

“When the angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, they say: ‘In what (plight) were you?’ They reply: ‘Weak and oppressed were we in the earth.’ They say: ‘Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (from evil)?’ Such men will find their abode in Hell – what an evil refuge! – Except those who are (really) weak and oppressed – men, women, and children – who have no means in their power, nor (a guide post) to direct their way. For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive: for Allah blots out (sins) and forgives again and again. He who forsakes his home in the cause of Allah, finds the earth many a refuge, wide and spacious: should he die as a refugee from home for Allah and His Messenger, his reward becomes due and sure with Allah: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving; Most Merciful.”

Qur’an 4:97-100

Returning to the subject of when I was released from prison, I noticed that I was being followed every time I left my home in my vehicle by a car or multiple cars. It began the second day of my release, and on one occasion I was followed over 200 miles when I traveled to see my lawyer. After a short period of time I observed that I wasn’t being followed anymore. From the way I noticed how they tracked me, I have strong suspicions that a GPS tracker was attached to my vehicle.

It was only during the weekend of 9/11, did I observe that I was being followed again. The first time, I was coming home from Jumu’ah and I observed one car following me. As the weekend progressed, I was followed by at least two or three vehicles every time I left my home to go make congregational salah.

The FBI alleges that during this period of time, I ran at their vehicles, yelled at then and tried to use my car to ram one of the surveilling vehicles. I swear by the Lord of the Heavens and the earth, who raised the sky with no pillars, that all of this is false and lies. The FBI agents say I tried to violently slam my car into one of theirs. Yet I wasn’t arrested that night nor the day after but two weeks later, only when I tried to leave the country to be with my family.

This FBI agent said that he contemplated pulling his weapon on me and shooting me, yet I wasn’t arrested at the scene or some days later for committing an act that might have compelled an FBI agent to shoot and possibly kill me? I allegedly was reversing at such a high rate of speed that one my tires was wobbling, which he observed at 11pm in pitch darkness with no street lights, yet he didn’t have to pull off the road which was not even 25 foot wide and at the same time I [allegedly] stopped exactly parallel with his car when I reached that point in the road, to sit and stare at him for one to two minutes then proceed to get behind him and follow him.

When asked by my lawyer at the detention hearing (this is where all this information came out), why wasn’t I arrested at the scene of this supposed potentially violent crime which allegedly could have caused injury or death, the FBI agent who has been employed with the FBI for ten years by his own admission, responded “I didn’t know that was the law.”

Putting all this together, what does rationality scream at you? Through and through, the FBI is lying about multiple subjects, on multiple occasions. I was leaving the country to be united with my family in Europe, to start a new life. I have been in and out of trouble since 2003. I was living an entirely different life at the time I was on parole and after, and I was done with anything crime or drug related. I know the ramifications of trying to assault any individual. After dealing with the criminal justice system for years and finally being free of it, does anyone believe that I would throw away the chance to be with my beautiful family, in a new place to begin a new, fresh life, by trying to ram my car into some mysterious vehicles who followed my every move? Not to mention I was issued a US passport after I was a terror suspect. And I’m supposed to be a threat?

Everything preceding this is alright to be published, if you chose to do so. There is nothing incriminating for me or other individuals. However, I leave it up to whoever receives this letter to their discretion as to the information you are about to read, whether you publish it or not.

At the detention hearing, the FBI testified on the stand that both [Redacted Pending Inquiry] and [Redacted Pending Inquiry] provided information to the FBI about me, which was used at my detention hearing to establish I was a danger and flight risk and subsequently denied bail and ordered detained. The FBI agent from my state personally flew to question both [Redacted Pending Inquiry] and [Redacted Pending Inquiry]. According to the FBI, they are both willingly cooperating against me. Allah only knows what else is taking place. I would like to state that this can’t be confirmed 100% , …[Redacted Pending Inquiry]… . If all this proves to be true, I am not angry with them, I feel sorry for them. They both have never been in trouble and I’m sure they are afraid. I ask Allah to forgive us all.

As I near the end of this long letter, I am asking anyone who might be able to help me if they could. Recently, a brother in Texas was convicted of trying to join AQAP, can anyone provide that information about his case and what happened at trial to me? I forgot his name [Barry Walter Bujol Jr.] but he is an African American brother if I remember correctly. Can anyone provide me updates with what is happening with Tarek Mehanna? Any information posted on Aseerun wordpress I would love to receive, whether it is stories or case updates about the prisoners. If anyone can help me in that regard, may Allah reward you!

If any individual is interested in sending books, they need to be directly from a publisher and softcover. They can be sent to my name and address provided on this letter I sent. Thirsty for knowledge! Don’t worry about me, I am doing good and being treated fairly. Just make dua for me and my family, all the prisoners and all the Muslims. May Allah bless all of you so much and give you Jannatul Firdawsal al ala! I love you all so much for the sake of Allah! Remember and fear Allah and I remind you of His beautiful promise: “Is there any reward for good other than good?” Qur’an 55:60

                                    Wa salam alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

                                    Your Brother in Islam ~ Reed

Reed Stanley Berry #61590
 NCSO
 Newaygo County Sheriff's Office
 PO Box 845
 White Cloud, MI 49349
 USA