Solomonia has some interesting news about the Islamic Society of Boston’s lawsuits against everyone who ever criticized them; the ISB is claiming losses but newly revealed documents apparently show the exact opposite.

In October of 2005, the Islamic Society of Boston filed a major lawsuit alleging, in significant part, that they had suffered monitary damages due to a supposed conspiracy among individuals, activists and news outlets. Separating out the wheat from the chaff of the complaint (link to PDF of lawsuit), the money is the most significant thing in the 57 page document — no money, no damages, no lawsuit. No damages, and all this thing becomes is a massive attempt to abuse the courts to squelch free speech.

From page 53, paragraph 98 of the complaint:

As a direct proximate result of the Defendants’ civil conspiracy, the ISB was intimidated both in the free exercise of its religious and charitable purpose, and the ISB was intimidated in its efforts to build the Mosque and Cultural Center. As a result of the Defendants’ conspiracy, the ISB has suffered monetary losses.

Timing is important here. Remember that this suit was filed in October 2005. It alleges damages from events that were occurring back in 2003 and 2004.

Yet I am in possession of an email dated July 18, 2005, that’s just three months before the ISB filed its lawsuit alleging damages, that says, and I quote, “Fundraising has been robust, and the ISB has $2 million in cash toward that amount [of $3 million]….”

The email is from ISB Director Dr. Yousef Abou-Allaban, and is quoting a letter drafted by ISB attorney Albert L. Farrah. So Farrah went from drafting a letter bragging that fundraising was robust and they had $2 million in cash in the bank, to three months later being one of the lawyers filing the lawsuit alleging that the ISB was suffering damages.