Sami al-Arian
Raleigh, NC

Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)

In 1975, Sami al-Arian, an Egyptian citizen of Palestinian descent who was born in Kuwait, arrived in the United States on a student visa. After graduating from Southern Illinois University in 1978, he attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh and earned both a master's degree in electrical engineering and a doctorate in computer engineering.[1] In 1986, al-Arian moved to Tampa to take up a position as an assistant professor of computer science at the University of South Florida (USF).[2] Acting as a member of the political wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), al-Arian proceeded to set up a series of front organizations in order to raise money, spread propaganda, and win recruits for PIJ. In 2006, al-Arian pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to make or receive contributions of funds, goods or services for the benefit of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).[3] He was subsequently sentenced to 57 months in prison and will be deported afterwards.[4]

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[1] Resume of Sami al-Arian; Steve Cavendish et al., "Building a Case: Ties to Terror," St. Petersburg Times, February 21, 2003.

[2] Ibid.

[3] U.S. v. Sami al-Arian, "Plea Agreement," February 26, 2006 (MD FL 03-CR-77)

[4] U.S. v. Sami al-Arian, "Transcript of Sentencing Hearing," May 1, 2006 (MD FL 03-CR-77)