US v. Stephen Paster
Portland, OR

Jamaat ul-Fuqra

Stephen Paster, a member of the Sufi Islamist group Jamaat ul-Fuqra, was convicted in 1983 of firebombing a Portland, Oregon hotel. [1] Paster served four years of a twenty year sentence.[2] U.S. intelligence sources say that Paster now lives in Lahore, Pakistan where he is suspected of providing explosives training to members of ul-Fuqra. [3]

An Indian guru, Baghwan Shree Rajneesh owned the hotel.[4] According to a 2000 State Department report, "Fuqra members have attacked a variety of targets that they view as enemies of Islam, including Muslims they regard as heretics and Hindus." [5]

Jamaat ul-Fuqra, which originated in Pakistan, follows the teachings of Sheikh Mubarik Ali Gilani. The group supports the use of force and violence to reach its ultimate goal of purifying Islam.[6]

---

[1] Bob Smietana, "In Islamville, uneasy peace abides," The Tennessean, March 28, 2010.

[2] Jerry Seper and Steve Miller, "Sniper suspects may be followers; Ties sough to militant Muslim group Jamaat ul-Fuqra," The Washington Times, November 13, 2002, pg. A10.

[3] Mira L. Boland, "Sheikh Gilani's American Disciples; What to make of the Islamic compounds across America affiliated with the Pakistani radical group Jamaat ul-Fuqra?" The Weekly Standard, Vol.7, No26, March 18, 2002, pg 29.

[4] Bob Smietana, "In Islamville, uneasy peace abides," The Tennessean, March 28, 2010.

[5] "Patterns of Global Terrorism, 1999" U.S. Department of State, April 2000, pg. 120.

[6] Colorado Office of the Attorney General, "Information Regarding Colorado's Investigation and Prosecution of Members of Jamaat Ul Fuqra," (accessed February 9, 2005).