Sh. Mourou prevented from flying to US

 State Department ‘optimistic’ issue will be resolved in time for conference

(CHICAGO 11/26/2014) – The American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), a national education and advocacy organization, is dismayed and concerned to learn that Tunisian authorities today removed Sheikh Abdelfattah Mourou and his wife from a plane they boarded en route to Chicago. Authorities there told Mourou that American officials were prohibiting him from entering the United States. 

Mourou is scheduled as a keynote speaker at AMP’s 7^th annual Conference for Palestine in the US: Gaza Teaches Life! from Nov. 27-29, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. 

A State Department employee confirmed the incident but declined to give further information, saying she was not allowed to speak to the media. She did say the issue would be included in a State Department press briefing later today.

However, Christopher Henzel, the director of the Office for Israel and Palestine Affairs in the State Department said, “There’s not much any of us can say publicly, but it’s coming close to a resolution. We’re optimistic this will be resolved before tomorrow.”

This is the second time in two years US officials have barred a main speaker en route to AMP’s annual conference, despite having been granted visitors’ visas. Last year, Turkish officials removed Um Kamel El Kurd – a survivor of a violent nighttime eviction from her East Jerusalem home at the hands of Israel settlers -- from her aircraft, also saying the United States would not grant her entry. 

AMP is concerned for the safety and comfort of Sheikh Mourou and his wife. The State Department has said the issue should be resolved in time for him to arrive at the conference tomorrow. We will continue to issue updates as new information becomes available.