STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FAROUK ABDEL-MUHTI
Issued by New Jersey Solidarity - Activists for the Liberation of Palestine
July 2004

New Jersey Solidarity-Activists for the Liberation of Palestine mourns the passing of Palestinian activist Farouk Abdel-Muhti, who resisted injustice and oppression throughout his life and serves as an example to all who continue that struggle. Farouk's persistence and steadfastness in the face of all obstacles and attacks is an inspiring example of the continual commitment of Palestinians, in Palestine, in the refugee camps, and in exile all over the world, to justice and liberation. As a dedicated internationalist who embodied the term "solidarity," Farouk stood not solely for the liberation of Palestine, but against imperialism and oppression everywhere. His work and his example will live on. Below is the statement from the Committee to Free Farouk Abdel-Muhti, the group that spearheaded Farouk's defense effort during the two years he spent as a political prisoner of the US Bureau Immigration and Customs Enforcement:

Farouk Abdel-Muhti, 1947-2004

On the evening of Wednesday, July 21, 2004, as he finished speaking at an event in Philadelphia, New York City-based Palestinian activist Farouk Abdel-Muhti lost consciousness. Paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive him at the scene, and he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 10pm. His close friend Sharin Chiarazzo was at his side. The cause of death has not been determined.

Farouk was speaking at a panel discussion titled "Detentions and Torture: Building Resistance," at the Philadelphia Ethical Society, giving personal testimony on his experience being detained for nearly two years and focusing on the struggle to build a movement against detentions.

Farouk's family and friends are devastated and in shock. Farouk would have celebrated his 57th birthday in a few weeks, on August 9th. While his health had not recovered from his two years in detention (including eight months in solitary confinement), no one suspected his life was at risk.

We will let you know about funeral arrangements as soon as we can.

Democracy Now has a story on Farouk's passing, and has posted a recording of his final speech: http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/07/22/1349215

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     Committee for the Release of Farouk Abdel-Muhti
PO Box 20587, Tompkins Square Station, New York, NY 10009
     Phone: 212-674-9499 * Email freefarouk@yahoo.com
 Websites: www.freefarouk.org * freefarouk.netfirms.com
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