“It’s all about trying to confront the hate that is portrayed about Islam. Islam is peaceful. If you follow the true message of Islam it leads to peace and security. Any effort we can do to bring the message out.”
Source/Credit: Record-Journal
By Lauren Sievert and Dan Brechlin | February 26, 2016
MERIDEN — A federal judge granted a motion this week allowing a man who pleaded guilty to firing a gun at a South Meriden mosque to meet with mosque members.
Ted Hakey Jr., of Meriden, pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count of destruction of religious propertyin the incident, which occurred on Nov. 14 just hours after a deadly terrorist attack in Paris. He could serve between 8 and 14 months in prison and pay fines in the range of $4,000 to $40,000, under terms of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. His sentencing is scheduled for May 10.
Hakey was released a few weeks after his December arrest, but under several conditions, including that he not attempt to contact any members of the Baitul Aman mosque. Hakey’s attorney John T. Walkley, however, filed a motion earlier this week to allow a meeting.
Hakey “has been advised by the government that certain representatives of the mosque would like to have a meeting with the defendant (Hakey) at a time and location to be determined,” the motion reads. “The defendant agrees and would like to meet with members of the mosque if the victims believe it would provide them some level of relief and may educate the defendant about their culture and faith.”
The motion notes that government officials and Hakey’s probation officer did not object.
Federal judge Michael P. Shea agreed this week to allow the meeting. He noted the defense counsel, government counsel and a probation officer would be present. Mohammed Qureshi MD, president of the Connecticut chapter of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said he was contacted by the district attorney and defense attorney. Lawyers relayed a message from Hakey that he would like to meet with the members of the mosque. Qureshi said he would like to meet with Hakey and find out where the hate of Muslim’s stems from and help him understand the religion better.
“It’s all about trying to confront the hate that is portrayed about Islam,” Qureshi said. “Islam is peaceful. If you follow the true message of Islam it leads to peace and security. Any effort we can do to bring the message out.”
Qureshi said a date for the meeting has not been set, but it will likely include himself, one or two other mosque members and Hakey. Qureshi said he would like to keep it a private so they can discuss Hakey’s motivation and how to prevent such incidents. Qureshi, who was in Washington D.C. on Friday, met with politicians and said he is working to get the message out about true Islam.
“We have our work cut out,” Qureshi said. “We want to reach out to all Americans. Muslims are just as much American as any others.”
“If the parties believe that it would be beneficial for (Hakey) to have further contact with the representatives after this meeting, they may file another motion seeking the Court’s permission,” Shea wrote.
During the plea hearing earlier this month, Hakey admitted to firing several rounds at the mosque at 410 Main St. from his nearby home on the morning of Nov. 14. The mosque was not occupied at the time. Hakey was arrested Dec. 17, and released Jan. 4 on a $400,000 real-estate bond. He is confined to his mother’s home in Shelton, and is under GPS monitoring.
Hakey, a former U.S. Marine, said during the hearing he had hatred toward Muslims. The sentiment came after four U.S. Marines were killed in a July 2015 shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
“It was just a misunderstanding,” Hakey said, adding that at the time, he had “way too much hatred” and was working with his Muslim friend to “clarify Muslim beliefs.”
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