Muslim cleric stripped of U.S. citizenship

updated 12:45 p.m. ET Sept. 24, 2004

AKRON, Ohio - The leader of Ohio’s largest mosque has been stripped of his citizenship as punishment for a terrorism-related conviction but can’t be deported until a federal court hears his appeal, which could take 18 months.

Imam Fawaz Damra had his citizenship revoked Thursday by U.S. District Judge James S. Gwin for being found guilty of lying about connections to terrorist groups when he applied in 1994 to become a citizen.

Gwin on Monday sentenced the Palestinian-born Damra to two months in prison and four months of home detention. He said Damra, who remained free on bond, could start serving his sentence on Nov. 22, after the Muslim holiday of Ramadan ends.

Prosecutors told Gwin the government wouldn’t try to deport Damra until after the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals hears the appeal of his conviction. Many appeals take 14 to 18 months.

U.S. Attorney Gregory White said his office may ask for an expedited appeal.

“Whatever we can do to get this done quickly, we will,” White said. “The main thing for us from the beginning was to get this individual out of the country. He doesn’t deserve to be a U.S. citizen.”

Damra will be eligible to stay in the country and continue working as the prayer leader of the Islamic Center of Greater Cleveland during his appeal. His future at the mosque, however, is uncertain.

The mosque’s president, Dr. Ali Halabi, remains unsure of what will happen next. He and his fellow board members tried to fire Damra but were thwarted by the congregation, which supported Damra by a wide margin in a referendum in March.

Damra was convicted in June of concealing ties to Afghan Refugee Services, the Islamic Committee for Palestine and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, groups the government classifies as terrorist organizations.

Damra could not be reached for comment Thursday. A message left at his office was not returned.

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