Watch Live: Congressional Hearing on IRS Scandal

Live Now on TheBlaze Radio: ‘The Buck Sexton Show’

Faith

‘American Taliban’ Terrorist Heading to Court to Fight for Islamic Group Prison Prayer

Aug. 26, 2012 8:14pm Billy Hallowell

American Taliban John Walker Lindh to Fight for Muslim Group Prayer in Court

American John Walker Lindh is seen in this undated photo obtained Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002, from a religious school where he studied for five months in Bannu, 304 kilometers (190 miles) southwest of Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo Credit: AP Photo)

INDIANAPOLIS (TheBlaze/AP) — An American-born Taliban fighter is heading to trial in Indianapolis in a lawsuit over prison prayer that will examine how far officials can go to ensure security in an age of terrorism.

Thirty-one-year-old John Walker Lindh is expected to testify in federal court Monday in the lawsuit that challenges limits placed on group prayer among Muslims housed in a closely monitored unit at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind.

In Jan. 2011, The Blaze first brought you Lindh’s story. Over the past few years, he has joined other prisoners in a fight to secure the right to hold a daily prayer group. The men, who live in a highly-restricted cell block, claim that restrictions on their prayer violate their religious rights. Currently, inmates in the unit are allowed to have group prayers once a week.

The government, though, has argued that these regulations are necessary to ensure safety and that the inmates can, at the least, hear one another as they pray in their individual cells. Now, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on his side, Lindh — who continues to fight for more regular group prayer – is going to have his day in court. Pending the result in court, the Taliban fighter may end up receiving the permission he has sought so diligently.

John Walker Lindh (Photo Credit: AP)

The lawsuit was originally filed back in 2009 by two inmates who live in the prison’s Communications Management Unit (CMU). This unit holds mostly Muslim inmates who have limited communications with the outside world. While the other prisoners have since bowed out of the lawsuit, having been released or transferred to other locations, Lindh, who joined the legal effort in 2010, continues the fight.

The ACLU is arguing that the U.S. government cannot restrict religious activities unless there is a compelling need. Thus, officials will need to prove that such a situation exists in court.

Lindh is serving 20 years for supplying services to the now-defunct Taliban government of Afghanistan and carrying explosives for them.

–

RELATED:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (80)

stotlaat
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:28am
loser

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
qzak491
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:18am
I thought anyone adding and abeting the enemy was a traitor what does that make the ACLU.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
qzak491
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:16am
If he is taliban he is an enemy combatant arrest him he’s a terrorist, what happened to the arrest and detain wihout limt for terrorists.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Tigress1
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 9:53am
Let me guess, these prayers are said out loud in Arabic (or whatever bibbity-boppity-boo language they speak)? The prison guards cannot understand them. What could possibly go wrong?

“AHHHH, La, la, la, we ahhh will break la, la, la, out, ahhhhh on laaaaa Friiiiidayyyyy.

They should pray in isolation.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Reeferman
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 9:48am
Why didn’t they just put a bullet in his head to begin with.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
myway
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 9:47am
Shoot him!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
davetrav
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 9:28am
In prison ,you have no rights so if you wish to pray do it in your won cell. Who do you people think
you are? It is like a liberal –they think they know whats best for all of us. Wake up and smell the roses.
America is based on , we the people—not poor me in prison.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
alpha2omega47
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:52am
This moron should have been executed already. He should have been shot on the day he was caught.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
gunslingerpatriot
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:51am
I am not fond of “Hanoi Jane” or “Jihad Johnny”. Execute these American traitors with a rope!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
TexPat
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 4:13am
Security in the prison and safety of the guards should take precedence. They do not need to be in one group to pray. Actually most of them should have been executed instead of wasting our tax dollars on housing them.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
glenng2
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:33am
Excuse me, but it is a federal prison and if christians are forbiden to excercise their religion on federal property than these malcontents should not be able to either.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Mikev5
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:33am
This guy reminds me of Mansons little group of killers some people are just zombies that will follow anything that gives them a purpose and food no clue at all just do as the head nut case tells them to do be it good or bad.

The list of whack jobs is long

Charles Manson

Heaven’s Gate

Aum Shinrikyo

Jim Jones

Islam

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
SilentReader
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:10am
The guy should have be charged with treason and sentenced to death by hanging.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
woodyee
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:54am
OH! And to the writer, Billy Hallowell – TALIBAN Lindh is NOT an American – he is a TRAITOR. If I remember correctly, he had RENOUNCED his citizenship and became a Taliban. He fought against our boys.

You’re just as fk’d calling him an “American”. Dirtbag…

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
needmoinfo
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:36am
Look at the before and after pictures. Should take no prisoners unless you need some for prisoner exchanges.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
needmoinfo
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:32am
How many special groups are there that need special protection. Terrorists, child molesters, killers, gang members, gays. It goes on and on. Why don’t you put all the terrorists in one military facility and let the military handle it. Oh I forgot, Obama spent all the money on Gitmo.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
needmoinfo
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:20am
It cost a lot of money to take care of prisoners and maintain control. Where do they think they are, the Ritz? They still can pray all they want in their cells as long as they keep it quiet. Don’t like it, don’t come back. I hope when it comes up in court that the cost and safety issues hold sway. I thought when you are incarcerated that you cannot vote. A lot of other things should be left at the door too. If their request is approved it should have to wait until they have the money in the budget for the added costs of providing their request for every religion in the facility. . Where do they get these ideas? Certainly not from their country’s jails. Some of these foreign countries would take these agitators out to the town square and behead them for entertainment.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Skrewedretiree
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 11:53pm
Well, the government still keeps bowing down to moo-slums while spitting in the faces of christians.
No wonder the people are arming.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 11:48pm
…
Terrorists do not deserve any rights, other than beans, bread, and water.
Prisons were designed as punishment for crimes, but they have become way too luxurious.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
rovinrobin
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 11:22pm
Methinks he’s unrepentant.

Don’t let the barbarians congregate and plot.

20 years wasn’t long enough.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
elderbat
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 11:14pm
more tax money spent on a traitor and his lawyers…so he can try to have his prayer group. should have gotten the death penalty.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Gary
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 10:59pm
I was in AF when he was found, had I known we would still be debating what to do with him, I would have acted differently. My apologies to those who think we should be fiscally responsible in how we maintain our aholes.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
zoro51
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 10:46pm
NO this is more MURDERING MUSLUM CRAP to pray to a STONE IDOL allah.. n plan more MURDERS.. NO end this group now MUSLUMS have NO rights to asseble or pray they unite in plots to KILL for NO reason… MUSLUMS KILL makes NO difference.. they murder even thier own kind n family members PROVEN FACT

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
DeltaHawk
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 10:42pm
Why aren’t the atheists screaming about Muslims praying everywhere?? Do they believe allah is not God?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Skrewedretiree
  Posted on August 26, 2012 at 11:56pm
  Good question. Another question is: Why is the Government always bending an ear to Atheists and Moo-slums and pi$$ing down the necks of Christians?
  
  Remember in November.
  
  Report this comment
CherokeeSmiles
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 10:36pm
Set the guy on fire and hang him from a bridge.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- gunslingerpatriot
  Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:54am
  Approbriately covered in swine greese!
  
  Report this comment
- gunslingerpatriot
  Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:54am
  Covered in bacon, ham or sausage greese.
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.