PRAY FOR JONATHAN MAGBIE

The Concerned Muslims of Annapolis (CMA) knew Jonathan Magbie as a
young African American who had been a practicing Muslim for 18 months
before his death in September while in the custody of the D.C.
Department of Corrections [Metro, Oct. 1]. Mr. Magbie, a quadriplegic
who depended on a ventilator to breathe, was sentenced to 10 days in
jail for a crime he committed before his conversion to Islam.

Mr. Magbie told us that he became a Muslim to escape the criminal
elements of his prior lifestyle. He anticipated punishment for his
first-time offense, but should the sentence have cost him his life?

This question prompted the CMA to write to Chief Judge Rufus King of
the D.C. Superior Court, to Odie Washington, director of the
Corrections Department, and to Greater Southeast Community Hospital.
The CMA has requested that all three entities thoroughly investigate
the circumstances of Mr. Magbie's death.

We remember him as a delightful young believer who reminded us that
faith exceeds any physical limitation. We pray that the agencies
involved in his death will report their findings publicly as well as
keeping his family informed. More important, we pray that provisions
will be enacted to prevent more deaths from what appears to have been
medical negligence.

Shuaib B. Neel

Concerned Muslims of Annapolis

Annapolis