By Angela Hatton
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-923077.mp3
Mayfield, KY – Since late August, when the Mayfield zoning board denied a conditional use permit for a mosque because of limited parking, rumors have spread about the Somali Muslim community that lives in Mayfield. The Somalis have denied allegations against them, including rumors they want a breeding ground for terrorists, that they're Bantu slaves, and that they want to enforce Sharia law in the city. Regional and local volunteers some American Muslims, some not have stepped forward, they say, in an effort to help the Somalis. As Angela Hatton reports, now allegations are out about some members of this volunteer coalition.
This week, Paducah-based television station WPSD reported one of the leaders of Islam Advocacy Group Islamaca International has a criminal record. They reported Mustafa Beyyette is a registered sex offender and was separately charged with impersonating a member of the military. The Illinois State Police registry confirms Beyyette is a sex offender. Head Islamaca spokesperson and Mustafa's wife, Bethany Beyyette says the details of the charges are inaccurate, and the Beyyettes have petitioned to get them changed. Because of ongoing litigation, she declined to comment further. However, she would comment on the registry's note that "Mustafa Beyyette" is an alias, and Mr. Beyyette's name is actually Thomas Barrett.
"His legal name is Mustafa bin Beyyette. It's public record. His birth certificate is filed with the state of Illinois, like any other American citizen. His social security card is Mustafa bin Beyyette. So the reports that this is just an alias is absolutely incorrect."
Beyyette briefly addressed the military impersonation charge.
"He was a member of the military. He was a US Marine. And that's, that's all we're willing to say."
Wednesday night, WPSD followed up their original story on Mustafa with comments from an unnamed Somali who said they don't want Islamaca's help. Bethany Beyyette says she doesn't know who that person was.
"Immediately after that aired we got a call from the Somali community saying that they do still want us to represent them, and that our relationship hasn't changed whatsoever."
The Beyyettes aren't the only ones who've shown interest in the case in Mayfield. Ann Perkins is a Murray resident who says she'd like to help the Somalis however she can. Perkins got involved with the project through an acquaintance.
"She decided to invite me to the meeting with the ACLU, the Somalis, and Islamaca International."
Perkins isn't Muslim, but says she's a strong first amendment advocate. She says the focus on Mustafa Beyyette's criminal record and allegations that Islmaca is a scam operation have taken focus away from the Somalis.
"Quite a few people are just sensationalizing an aspect that's really irrelevant to the first amendment issue, which really should be central to all this."
Perkins says she's only interacted with the Beyyettes in the two meetings they've had with the ACLU and the Somalis. She says her interactions have been positive.
"It just seems that their desire to help and any good they would have done is damaged now in light of what is a needless and irrelevant scandal."
The Beyyettes have been the faces of Islamaca, which is based out of Nashville, Tennessee, but Bethany says there are other members. She says the negative media attention has compelled them to remain anonymous.
Ann Perkins says their local group now is small, with only about 15 members. In full disclosure, Perkins says some differences among group members have prompted her to move on from the acquaintance who invited her to the first meeting. Perkins wants to keep the details private. On Facebook, Perkins says their new open group has grown to over 100 members from inside and outside the region. There are at least three Facebook groups that support the Mayfield Somalis.
"We're hoping when the time comes, we can get some online members to step up and play a more active role. But for now just making our concern and support known to the Somalis is really invaluable."
After a Tuesday meeting with the Somalis and the ACLU, Islamaca International's Bethany Beyyette says her organization is no longer considering taking up legal action on behalf of the Somalis. The ACLU continues to monitor the situation, though they won't comment on whether or not they will file suit. Beyyette says the allegations regarding Mustafa's background won't affect Islamaca's involvement.
"We're not down there searching for money, we're not searching for glory, we're not looking for publicity. We're there to help the Somalis. If a person can't argue on the merit of a situation, they're going to try to attack someone's character. Which is what the situation is here."
Beyyette says Islamaca's long-term goal is to work themselves out of a job. Islamaca isn't going to be involved in Mayfield forever, she says, but the Somali community is rooted, and if a cultural education effort moves forward, it's the local residents who will be the most important liaisons.