"I Had A Gun Pulled To My Head" -Abdullah Al-Kidd 146 | 9/11 Arrest, Prison & Gangs of Los Angeles

"I Had A Gun Pulled To My Head" -Abdullah Al-Kidd 146 | 9/11 Arrest, Prison & Gangs of Los Angeles

Author: Mo Islam April 20, 2025 Duration: 1:28:29

Abdullah, an American citizen, was arrested in 2003 under the federal material witness statute, which permits the government to detain individuals with crucial testimony in a criminal case if they might flee. Though never charged with a crime, he was held in high-security detention for 16 days and faced court-ordered restrictions for another 15 months. Believing his detention was unlawful, Abdullah sued then–U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, claiming his arrest violated the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. He has since settled in Saudi Arabia, where he’s lived for over a decade.

0:00 Intro

2:18 Gunpoint at at 14

4:54 LA Gangs

8:29 Eldest Child Pressure

13:41 SurvivingtheStreets

16:55 Gangs, Drugs and Rap

21:09 CripsOriginStory

24:07 Freemasonry VS Islam

31:04 9/11Arrest

39:40 Lawsuit Exile4

5:00 Law Reform Bias

51:35 Yemen

59:00 Prison and Aryan Brotherhood

1:05:04 PTSD and Purpose

1:18:48 Classism and Legacy


Hosted by Mo Islam, The Mo Show is a conversation held in English, rooted in the daily rhythms and broader narratives of life in Saudi Arabia. This podcast moves beyond headlines to explore the textures of local society and the diverse cultural currents shaping the region. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair for a candid discussion, where personal stories and thoughtful observations reveal the complexities and warmth of a community in flux. You’ll hear from a variety of voices-locals and long-term residents, artists and entrepreneurs, everyday people with compelling perspectives-all contributing to a richer, more nuanced picture. The conversations are unscripted and meandering in the best way, often uncovering unexpected connections between tradition and modernity, or between individual dreams and collective identity. Tuning into this podcast offers a genuine sense of place, a listening experience that feels both intimate and expansive. It’s for anyone curious about the human stories behind the social and cultural evolution within the Kingdom, presented not as a lecture but as an ongoing, engaging dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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