After 18 months, four denied bails and numerous demonstrations by protestors, Iraqi-born oncologist Dr. Rafil Dhafir will finally get his day in court Sept. 27.

But those protesting on Dhafir’s behalf are still not happy.

‘This is not justice,’ said Ali Mahmood, resident of Syracuse and longtime friend of Dhafir. ‘Dr. Dhafir is not a terrorist. All he did was help people.’

About 20 protestors loyal to Dhafir marched last night in Syracuse from the United States Courthouse to the Sen. John H. Hughes State Office Building, chanting ‘Don’t smear Dhafir!’ while holding up signs critical of Gov. George Pataki.

Dhafir, 56, was arrested by federal authorities Feb. 26 as he went to a local mosque for morning prayers on charges that he allegedly broke international sanctions by using his charity, Help the Needy, to funnel millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Iraq.

‘Dr. Dhafir is not a terrorist. All he did was help poor people,’ said Mir Hussaini, Syracuse resident and friend of Dhafir for 10 years. ‘Sending money to the needy people in the world is not a crime.’

Dhafir was also charged with diverting $300,000 from his charity for his own personal interests as well as evading income tax payments and defrauding Medicare.

‘The guy is just an incredibly giving and caring guy,’ said Madis Senner, a 1979 graduate of Syracuse University, pointing to Dhafir’s charity work. ‘If he is guilty, he would be the most complicated sociopath in history.’

The march was designed to coincide with Pataki’s speech at the Republican National Convention. Protestors are upset with Pataki because of a speech he gave last month in which he pointed to the Dhafir case as a successful case of terrorism prevention, even though Dhafir is not charged with aiding terrorist organizations.

The remarks, protestors said, prove that Dhafir is a political prisoner who is being detained solely so Pataki and the Bush administration can claim success on the war on terror.

‘What is clear is that one of the central traits of the war on terror is really a crusade against Islamic people,’ Senner said. ‘The Bush administration has made the war on terrorism a party line. Dr. Dhafir has unfortunately become a trophy for the Bush administration.’

Signs at the demonstration ranged from the tame, ‘Free Dr. Dhafir,’ to extreme statements about Pataki, ‘If our governor is an anti-Arab, anti-Muslim bigot how can we expect justice?’

The Pataki statement added to protestors’ claims that Dhafir is a racial and political prisoner. Dhafir’s faith has led to several controversies, including being unable to meet face-to-face with his defense because the attorney would have to be strip-searched, something forbidden by Dhafir’s interpretation of Islam.

The fact that Dhafir was denied bail has further enraged protestors. Prosecutors claim that Dhafir should not be allowed bail because he may leave the country, but protestors say the government just wants to keep Dhafir in jail so they can continue to use him as an example against terrorism.

‘If you look at what he’s done, they’re white-collar crimes, and no one stays in jail 18 months with no bail,’ said Mohamed Khater, a longtime friend of Dhafir. ‘It’s a double standard here.’

With this history, protestors doubt Dhafir’s approaching trial will be a fair one. Khater, though, believes things can work out so long as Dhafir is treated as any other defendant instead of a ‘trophy’ for the Bush administration.

‘If things work their way out and things are fair, he will be acquitted,’ Khater said. ‘The question is, will the government use this fear of terror to get this guy acquitted? He was helping people. If that’s a crime, then he is guilty of it.’

Published on September 2, 2004 at 12:00 pm