Ramadan Behind Bars

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Ramadan Kareem and Eid Mubarak. The month of Ramadan is very challenging when you are behind bars. Is so difficult that It puts a lot of thing's in to perspective's. I miss going to the Mosque during the prayers dearly. I miss the kind gestures and the peaceful energy our Islamic Communities express to the world during this month of Ramadan. I miss the food and the cooking that take place within our Islamic households. I miss the love, the togetherness, and the overall sense of unity that the month of Ramadan creates within our Islamic communities. It's not that easy creating that kind of sense of community here in prison. Besides, is not like the facility administration would allow that kind of unity and community amongst us if that was ever to be possible. The more divided we the inmate's are, the better their prison system operates.

The Islamic community is very small here in Rush City correctional facility. The administration don't prioritize our Islamic culture and practices as they should. They don't allow us to do something as simple as praying together which is very significant in Islam. We don't exercise our culture and Freedom of Religion like the way Muslim's suppose to during the month of Ramadan. In prison where inmate's usually lean towards GOD and religion for Strength and guidance the DOC Administration do what they can to discourage that and not allow that to happen by placing restrictions and unfriendly policies on every religious services. The programs that they currently have in place for religious purposes are simply window dressing for optics. It looks good to the naked eyes but the individuals like myself who is experiencing it and depending on the administration to provide me with proper religious practices are being failed exponentially here. Hopefully this article captures someone in a prominent position attention who can help create changes with the way the Minnesota DOC operating with their religious services and practices. After all, the purpose of prison is rehabilitation and religion play's a major role in rehabilitation. Prison reform is important.

"My name is, Randy L Allen OID 264412. I'm a White/Middle eastern male incarcerated. My Islamic Name is Abdullah Guardian Hakim. I am 35 years old. my biological father was White and my biological mother was middle eastern in which she has passed when I was quite younger. I can, and will vouch for the facts stated here in. I depend on my religion in helping me in my rehabilitation, and I also depend on the Minnesota DOC Administration to provide but they fail in so many ways it's unconstitutional on it's face. living with and around Mr Ali has put inspiration in me as a short time individual to want to be better man and more importantly a Voice for HIM and Islam as a whole thus going forward.

Free my brother Mahdi Ali!"