Accused ISIS Cleric Sues For Right To Pray On Rikers

NEW YORK CITY — A man accused of inspiring international terrorism is suing the city for denying him the right to pray on Rikers Island, court records show.

Trevor Forrest — described by terrorism experts as among the world's most dangerous English-speaking extremists — demanded a $2 million settlement in his lawsuit filed in Manhattan Federal Court Tuesday.

Forrest, also known as Shaikh Faisal, alleges he is denied weekly visits with an Imam and access to a Muslim place of worship because of crisis-level staffing shortages on Rikers Island, court records show.

"This is a direct assult [sic] on our constitutional rights," Forrest wrote, adding he and a fellow inmate experienced "suicidal thoughts, even homicidal thoughts, high anxiety, deep depression of guilt & shame of even being Muslim in America."

The Department of Corrections referred Patch's request for comment to the city's Law Department, whose spokesperson said they would review the case.

Forrest, 56, was extradited from Jamaica in August on charges that he recruited for ISIS and preached publicly the killing of Jews, Americans, homosexuals and Hindus, according to officials and a report from the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism.

His influence allegedly reached the attempted Times Square car bomber in 2010 and four men who killed 52 people of a London Metro in 2005, according to Manhattan prosecutors and the ADL report.

NY1 reported in August that Forrest's attorneys argued their client had simply made speeches and did not physically contribute to any act of terrorism.

Forrest, who pleaded not guilty to all charges of supporting terrorism, found himself incarcerated on Rikers Island as it faces a mounting humanitarian crisis that may have contributed to 14 deaths this year.

Among concerns raised by a federal monitor is that the Department of Correction failed to enact changes to its suicide prevention policies.

Five Rikers detainees have taken their own lives this year, constituting the complex's highest suicide rate in about a decade, according to a report from THE CITY.

Forrest reports the absence of weekly prayer, visitations from an Imam and freedom to partake in Friday prayer outside of his cell have triggered a mental health crisis, legal papers show.

A fellow detainee has suffered hallucinations, weight loss and symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the cell where he spends at least 23 hours a day, according to the complaint.

Forrest said both men frequently consider suicide.

"It's a daily struggle for me and [his co-plaintiff] not to end our lives from the ongoing abuse," Forrest wrote. "We have both talked about ending our lives and leave it Allah [sic] hands."

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, there are resources to help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255. Its website offers services including a live chat.

Note: Patch is not publishing the name of Forrest's co-plaintiff because of mental health concerns raised in the lawsuit. Forrest is referred to by the name he used in court documents.