By Natasha Dado 

The Arab American News 

SOUTHFIELD- Muthanna Al-Hanooti, the new Regional Director of the Muslim Legal Fund of America’s Detroit Chapter can identify closely with many of the people who turn to the group in search of justice, because he was once in their position. 

“I’m a beneficiary of the Muslim Legal Fund of America,” Al-Hanooti, an Iraqi American said. Years ago Al-Hanooti was wrongfully indicted on allegations of being a spy for Iraq, and working for Saddam Hussein’s foreign intelligence arm, the Iraqi Intelligence Service. The charges carried a 15-year sentence, and were eventually all dismissed, however Al-Hanooti admitted to entering into a contract to transact Iraqi oil without prior authorization from the U.S. Treasury. 

That transaction was never completed, and undisputed evidence showed Al-Hanooti would not have personally profited from it.  The case took a toll on Al-Hanooti and his family, people who knew him personally were shocked to learn about the charges, because of his civic work and service to the community. 

“My experiences opened my eyes to the negative and positive things about the legal system,” he said.  Al-Hanooti’s attorney, Linda Moreno put on a defense that set the record straight. She spent more than a year examining classified documents, and the prosecution’s allegations, and creating a defense that would prove Al-Hanooti’s dignity. 

Al-Hanooti

The MLFA is one of the nation’s leading organization’s committed to upholding justice.  It is a 501(c)(3) charity that supports legal cases impacting the civil rights and liberties in America.  Its staff, volunteers and supporters all share the common belief that treating people unfairly because of their religious beliefs undermines the core values that make America great. In addition to financially and logistically supporting legal cases,  MLFA promotes justice by informing the media of the important issues and cases it supports in order for the public to learn more about them and see first hand the discrimination surrounding Muslim Americans. While there are MLFA regional offices around the country, the Detroit branch  opened this September. Metro-Detroit has the highest concentration of Muslim and Arab Americans in the country. “A Detroit chapter is long overdue,” Al-Hanooti said. 

He says the MLFA has some of the best national security attorneys in the country. As the regional director, Al-Hanooti will primarily focus on public relations and fundraising for the organization. 

The MLFA is a charity that has offered its clients free legal services since its inception in 2001, and wants to increase the no cost services it provides. 

Under Al-Hanooti the organization has already held free local legal consultations, and legal education seminars. Throughout the consultations attorneys representing the MLFA meet with people and offer free legal advice, which can generally run hundreds of dollars an hour. Al-Hanooti says the education seminars are just as important, because they help people better understand the country’s legal system and constitution. 

Since the tragic events of Sep. 11, 2001 unfolded, the discrimination, hate and injustice surrounding Muslim Americans has only increased drastically.  “Al-Hanooti said too often many Muslim Americans’ First Amendment rights are violated simply because of their faith. “We’ve come to the conclusion that the constitution doesn’t apply to Muslim Americans in many situations, and there’s evidence of that,” he said. Al-Hanooti wants Arab and Muslim Americans to know their rights, and says often times when people come from Arab countries with no democracy in place, they assume the same type of rules and government regulations exist here.  “You have a culture that’s so scared of intelligence. Listen you’re an American, you have rights,” he said. 

Al-Hanooti was born in Baghdad, Iraq and was raised in Kuwait, then came to the U.S. in 1980. His background involves TV production and management. Much of his career was spent in government and international relations. He has played a major role in the establishment of Life for Relief and Development, the Council on American Islamic Relations of Michigan,  Focus on American and Arab Interests and Relations among other organizations.  He’s also been a member of various Arab American organizations, and played a vital role in organizing the community, to contribute to its general welfare.